When injuries from falls occur frequently

Suffering injuries from falls can be an early warning sign of dementia. A research team from Brigham Women's Hospital in the United States analyzed data from 2 million elderly individuals aged 66 and older who visited the hospital due to traumatic injuries between 2014 and 2015. As a result, 10.6% of patients injured from falls were diagnosed with dementia within one year. This is 20% higher than the rate among patients with other types of injuries.

Director Michael O'Koon of the Florida State University Neurodegenerative Disease Research Institute in the United States stated, "Individuals with mild cognitive impairment or other high-risk groups for dementia are more likely to experience falls due to changes in gait and balance," and "Frequent falls and injuries resulting from them may be potential warning signs of dementia."

Excessive drowsiness during the day

If you feel overwhelmingly sleepy during the day and find it difficult to perform normal activities, you should suspect pre-dementia syndrome.

A study team from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the United States analyzed 445 elderly individuals with an average age of 76 who did not have dementia. The team conducted surveys on the participants' sleep patterns and administered tests to assess their memory. As a result, 35.5% of those who experienced drowsiness during the day and had difficulties with driving, eating, and social activities developed motor cognitive risk syndrome.

This figure is more than three times higher than the control group. Exercise cognitive risk syndrome is a syndrome that appears before the onset of dementia, characterized by slowed walking speed, memory decline, and a decreased enthusiasm for work.

◇To prevent dementia, it is as important to practice prevention efforts as it is to recognize the warning signs of dementia. For dementia prevention, it is recommended to exercise regularly at least three times a week. Exercise improves cerebral blood flow and stimulates brain cell activity. It is also important to get enough sleep, about 7 to 9 hours daily, and to strive to improve sleep quality. Persistent sleep disorders can lead to a reduction in brain size and the accumulation of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with dementia, in the brain. Eating a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can reduce the risk of developing dementia.

The Mediterranean diet refers to a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables and fruits, nuts and seeds, and olive oil. According to research from Ben-Gurion University in Israel, the Mediterranean diet is effective in reducing neurodegeneration and preventing brain aging.

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The Mediterranean diet is just a healthy diet.

It seems there is no place that cannot be done.

I feel sleepy after lunch.

Excessive drowsiness? I should keep this in mind.