by Karen Heslop
According to recent data, African Americans are not only more likely to be diagnosed with dementia, but they are also at risk for being diagnosed at a much later stage. That information is important because if you’re interested in reversing the symptoms of dementia, getting an early start can make a huge difference. After an official diagnosis, there are a few steps you can take to fight the effects of these degenerative diseases.
Effective Ways To Reverse Dementia
The first thing you need to know is that dementia is not one illness. It’s actually an overall term that is used to describe diseases that affect the way someone thinks, makes decisions, carries out certain functions, and processes memories.
The most common of these is Alzheimer’s disease but there are others. With that in mind, these tips may need to be personalized to fit your specific diagnosis.
1. Have balanced meals
Studies strongly suggest that eating brain-healthy meals can help to reverse the effects of dementia. That means avoiding too much refined sugar, refined carbohydrates, dairy products, processed foods, caffeine, and vegetable oils. You should eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, poultry, and healthy fats instead.
2. Sleep well
Sleep is essential to repairing the damage that your body has sustained throughout the day. The brain and scientific data suggest that a well-rested brain is a healthy one. Don’t shy away from asking your doctor for tips on sleeping better.
3. Keep depression at bay
Many people with dementia develop depression but this mood disorder has also been linked to worsening dementia. It’s best to consult with a therapist to find out your best options for dealing with depression.
4. Cut down on drinking alcohol
This is another suggested diet change for those who would like to reverse dementia. Alcohol has been known to encourage inflammation in the body which can encourage the progression of your illness.
5. Check your medications
In a few cases, worsening dementia symptoms can be linked to the medication that you take for other illnesses. That’s why it’s important to discuss all your medications and their interactions or side effects with your doctor. Discuss all your medications and their interactions or side effects with your doctor.
6. Take care of chronic illnesses
Certain chronic illnesses such as hypothyroidism can have a negative effect on dementia or even cause it. To determine if another illness is contributing to your issues, make sure to disclose all your symptoms to your doctor during visits.
7. Keep physically active
The benefits of exercise have been well-documented and a healthy brain is one of them. If you don’t know which routine will work for you, start with simple exercises such as walking, swimming, or yoga.
8. Exercise your brain
Even as you take part in regular physical activity, doctors recommend brain training exercises as well. These specially designed activities are meant to improve your brain’s cognitive functions. Your doctor will be an excellent resource for finding what you need.
Your Doctor’s Role In Reversing Dementia
While you can make certain changes to your lifestyle to reverse the effects of dementia, you should never leave your doctor out. They will be able to act as a guide when you need to know what you can manage.
Your doctor can also give you a good idea about what you should realistically expect once you start to make changes. When you get assessed regularly, it’s possible to get objective evidence of how effective your activities are. Most importantly, your doctor will know about groundbreaking treatments that are geared towards not just delaying the progression of dementia but also reversing it.
It’s true that the statistics strongly suggest that the number of people with dementia will only continue to rise over time. That doesn’t mean you can’t do anything about it, however.
It’s a good idea to learn about the early signs of dementia so it can be diagnosed early. Afterward, you can work with a doctor to determine what steps you can take to reverse the disease. Researchers are also working on developing medications and therapies that can help so you should keep abreast of new treatments.