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Science Explains How Olive Oil Can Help You Live Longer

November 20, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health’s study found that eating olive oil reduces adult mortality. Specifically, the findings revealed that eating over a half-tablespoon of olive oil lowered the risk of several diseases. When adults ate this amount of oil in their diet, their risk of cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and respiratory disease mortality declined.

Additionally, the authors found that substituting about 10 grams/day of dairy fats like margarine, butter, and mayonnaise with an equivalent amount of olive oil lowered mortality risk.

The study results appear in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

“Our findings support current dietary recommendations to increase the intake of olive oil and other unsaturated vegetable oils,” said Marta Guasch-Ferré, Ph.D., a senior research scientist at the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the study’s lead author.

“Clinicians should be counseling patients to replace certain fats, such as margarine and butter, with olive oil to improve their health. Our study helps make more specific recommendations that will be easier for patients to understand and hopefully implement into their diets.”

Study Reveals That Eating Olive Oil Lowers Adult Mortality Rate

The team recruited participants from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals’ Follow-Up Study. In total, they analyzed health data from 60,582 women and 31,801 men who had no history of cardiovascular disease or cancer when the study began in 1990.

Throughout 28 years of follow-up, the participants reported any dietary changes in questionnaires. They answered how often they consumed certain foods, such as fats and oils. Besides that, they tracked which brands and types they used for cooking.

Researchers calculated olive oil consumption by totaling three items in the questionnaire. They took the sum of olive oil used for salad dressings, olive oil added to food or bread, and olive oil used for baking or frying. One tablespoon equaled 13.5 grams of olive oil.

They also measured the participants’ consumption of other vegetable oils based on the brand and type used for cooking.

Additionally, the team considered margarine and butter intake based on the reported stick, tub, or soft margarine consumption. They also added the amount of margarine or butter participants used for baking or frying. Finally, they totaled the participants’ consumption of other dairy, fats, and nutrients.

After analyzing these results, the team discovered that olive oil consumption increased from 1.6 grams/day in 1990 to nearly 4 grams/day in 2010. On the other hand, margarine consumption declined from about 12 grams/ day in 1990 to nearly 4 grams/day in 2010. The intake of other types of fats stayed the same.

Researchers categorized olive oil consumption using these metrics:

Never or <1 time per month
>0 to ≤4.5 grams/day (>0 to ≤1 teaspoon)
>4.5 to ≤7 grams/day (>1 teaspoon to ≤1/2 tablespoon)
>7 grams/day (>1/2 tablespoon)

Throughout the 28-year follow-up period, 36,856 deaths occurred: 22,768 in the Nurses’ Health Study and 14,076 in the Health Professionals Study. Researchers noted a few main differences between those who consumed higher amounts of olive oil and those who ate little.

Key Findings from the Study on Eating Olive Oil

Participants with high olive oil intake usually exercised frequently, didn’t smoke, ate more fruits and vegetables, and had Southern European or Mediterranean heritage. In the highest category, average total olive oil consumption measured about 9 grams/day at baseline. However, this included just 5% of the study volunteers.

Researchers then compared those who rarely or never ate olive oil with those in the highest consumption category. Participants eating a half-tablespoon or more of olive oil per day had remarkable health benefits. Their risk of cardiovascular, cancer, neurodegenerative, and respiratory mortality declined by 19%, 17%, 29%, and 18%, respectively.

Also, the study found that replacing about 10 grams/day of dairy fats with olive oil lowered total and cause-specific mortality risk by 8-34%. However, they didn’t note any differences when substituting olive oil for other vegetable oils.

What the experts said about eating olive oil:

“It’s possible that higher olive oil consumption is a marker of an overall healthier diet and higher socioeconomic status. However, even after adjusting for these and other social-economic status factors, our results remained largely the same,” Guasch-Ferré said.

“Our study cohort was predominantly a non-Hispanic white population of health professionals, which should minimize potentially confounding socioeconomic factors, but may limit generalizability as this population may be more likely to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

While it’s necessary to perform additional studies with a larger population, these results confirm the health benefits of olive oil. Doctors have been touting the oil for years for its ability to lower heart disease risk, ease inflammation and provide healthy fats. However, this study leaves a few unanswered questions.

In an accompanying editorial, Susanna C. Larsson, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, said the following:

“The current study and previous studies have found that consumption of olive oil may have health benefits. However, several questions remain. Are the associations causal or spurious? Is olive oil consumption protective for certain cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke and atrial fibrillation, only or also for other major diseases and causes of death? What is the amount of olive oil required for a protective effect? More research is needed to address these questions.”

Final Thoughts on Study That Explains the Relationship Between Eating Olive Oil and Better Health

You’re probably much healthier if you have high olive oil consumption. A new study shows that eating a half-tablespoon each day can greatly reduce adult mortality rates. Specifically, researchers found that high olive oil consumption declined mortality rates for cancer and neurodegenerative, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases.

It’s quite easy to fit olive oil into your diet, as it’s versatile and complements many dishes. Try it on salads, roasted or sautéed vegetables, or even as a substitute for butter in baked goods. No matter how you enjoy it, you can feel good knowing it’s boosting your health.

15 Phrases That Make You See Yourself As A Better Person

November 20, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

With a negative self-perception, you’ll struggle to see the good around you. You’ll also have a hard time handling unavoidable challenges that come in life. Plus, you’ll likely suffer from low self-esteem and confidence. How do you fix it? Try these daily affirmations–here’s why it’s essential.

Your self-perception at work is just as important as how you view yourself in your personal life. Improving how you see yourself can help you improve your performance and accept new opportunities. Additionally, your perception of yourself can affect how well you do in life.

These affirmations help improve your self-perception. These phrases can change your life if you struggle with thinking positively about yourself. However, if you typically have a positive mindset but have had a rough time lately, these daily affirmations will help you, too.

Positive phrases can help improve your self-esteem and allow you to see the great things about who you are. After using them, you’ll notice a calmer mind and healthier thoughts of yourself. They’ll also help you identify negative self-talk and replace it with positivity.

Fifteen Daily Affirmations That Can Improve Your Self-Perception

I am confident in my abilities and open to new opportunities.

New opportunities give you the chance to grow and develop your strengths. They also allow you to showcase your strengths for yourself and others.

When you know what you can accomplish, your self-perception will increase dramatically. Plus, allowing others to see your strengths will make you feel more confident. You’ll begin seeing yourself in a new light as your talents come to light.

I have everything it takes to lead a successful life.

This positive phrase can help you look within and see what you can accomplish. You have what it takes to do anything, so don’t let your negative thoughts convince you otherwise.

When you remember that you can become successful, you’ll start seeing all the opportunities around you. Plus, you’ll be more driven to push through obstacles because you know that you can do anything.

I can achieve anything I set my mind on.

When you use this phrase, it helps you persevere until you reach your goals. If your goals seem overwhelming, consider setting small instead of large ones. Then, implement this daily affirmation to help you focus on each small step.

Without a positive self-perception, it will be harder to reach your goals. Pushing through obstacles and taking the next step requires stepping out of your comfort zone. You must be comfortable with who you are to take the chances, but you can achieve anything.

I deserve kindness and respect from myself and others.

Acknowledging that you deserve respect can make all the difference in improving how you view yourself. Set boundaries in your life and demand respect from the people in your life. Demand respect from yourself, too, because it’s essential for building self-esteem.

If you aren’t sure how to respect yourself, think about how you treat a friend. Treat yourself with the same level of kindness you would treat your friends. Come back to this positive phrase if you find yourself saying negative things.

I am becoming a better version of myself each day.

You’re becoming a better person each day, even if you don’t see the small changes along the way. When you remember that you get better all the time, you’ll have more confidence in yourself.

You’ll improve in all areas of your life as you learn and develop. You’ll become a better friend, family member, employee, leader, and so much more. Don’t downplay your daily tasks because they are helping you grow into the person you’re supposed to be.

I have so much to offer the world.

Everyone is different offers various things to the world. Don’t beat yourself up because you don’t have the same strengths as those around you. Instead, embrace your strengths and positive characteristics.

When you embrace who you are, you’ll see how much you have to offer the world. Repeat this positive phrase each morning to remember how great you are.

I am assertive and feel comfortable standing up for myself.

If you don’t have good self-perception, you’ll struggle to be assertive and stand up for yourself. However, doing these things is essential to building your self-esteem and achieving your full potential. If you struggle with being assertive, this affirmation can change your life.

While it takes time and practice to become assertive and stand up for yourself, you can make it a positive habit. The more often you repeat this positive phrase, the quicker it’ll help you.

I know that I am a good person.

Criticizing yourself can cause you to feel like you aren’t a good person. It happens to everyone, but you must address your negative thought process. Use this positive phrase each morning to remember how great you are.

This phrase will also help you see what you can offer to those around you. Plus, it encourages you to eliminate negative thinking and have positive thoughts instead.

I surround myself with successful and happy people because they inspire me.

The people you spend your time around play a role in how you view yourself. If you spend most of your time with unsuccessful and negative people, it’ll start to affect your life.

Choose people who work hard to reach their goals and focus on the good in their life. They’ll inspire you to be a better person, helping to improve your self-perception.

I acknowledge what I am capable of in life.

The first step in improving how you view yourself is acknowledging that you are capable of great things. This reminder can help you look within to find the tools it’ll take to reach your goals. You’ll want to implement this positive phrase if you ever experience negative thoughts about not accomplishing something.

I am exactly who I am supposed to be.

If you ever compare yourself to other people, you will likely suffer from a lack of self-esteem. Your self-perception might be negative because you aren’t living the same way as someone else. When this is a problem for you, this is an affirmation that can help.

You aren’t supposed to be like anyone else. Embrace the things that make you different because they are the qualities that make you who you are. Using this positive phrase can help you remember that you are exactly who you are supposed to be.

I am happy with the person I am and content with my life.

When you’re happy with who you are and how your life is going, you’ll experience positive self-perception. Repeat this affirmation until you begin to see how good you have it. While no one’s life is perfect, you can experience happiness and contentment if you refocus your thoughts.

I deserve kind and supportive people in my life.

This affirmation will help you eliminate toxic people from your life. If you have anyone who doesn’t treat or support you kindly, it’s time to let them go. As the positive phrase says, you deserve kindness and support from everyone around you.

Surround yourself with positive people who will be there for you. As you focus on developing a strong support system, continue using this phrase.

I have many strengths and use them to my advantage.

You won’t have the same talents as other people in your life, but you still have plenty of strengths. When you acknowledge these strengths, you can use them to your advantage and feel better about yourself. Putting your talents to work and improving your life will quickly improve how you view yourself.

I am open to healthy and positive relationships.

The people you spend your time with play a role in how you view yourself. To have a positive self-perception, you must have meaningful and fulfilling relationships.

This affirmation will help you attract the type of people who inspire you. As you embrace these new relationships, you’ll start limiting your time with negative people. Then, you can view yourself as the great person you are and improve your self-esteem.

Final Thoughts on These Daily Affirmations Can Improve Your Self-Perception

These daily affirmations can quickly improve your self-perception. The more often you say the positive phrases, the better their effect is on your life. Don’t take a day for granted when it comes to improving your self-esteem because opportunities can come anytime.

Implement these positive phrases into your morning routine. You don’t have to use them all at once, but choose a few to help you shift your mindset. It’s best to say them out loud, but you can repeat them in your mind if necessary.

Before you know it, you’ll think of these phrases randomly throughout the day. They’ll help you stay on track and maintain a positive self-perception no matter what happens. Don’t waste any time implementing these phrases into your daily routine.

Science Explains How Goji Berries Can Preserve Eyesight

November 19, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

A new study by University of California Davis researchers reveals that dried goji berries could help age-related vision loss. Frequent consumption of the berries could prevent or slow the development of age-related macular degeneration, or AMD.

In older people, AMD causes more vision loss than any other condition. It’s the third leading cause of blindness globally, affecting over 11 million adults in the US and 170 million worldwide.

“AMD affects your central field of vision and can affect your ability to read or recognize faces,” said Glenn Yiu, a study co-author and an associate professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences.

Study Proves That Dried Goji Berries May Reduce Age-Related Vision Loss

Researchers conducted a small, randomized trial with 13 healthy middle-aged participants (aged 45 to 65) at UC Davis. The volunteers ate 28 grams (about a handful) of goji berries five times weekly for 90 days.

After the study period, the density of protective pigments such as lutein and zeaxanthin in their eyes significantly increased. These pigments filter out dangerous blue light and boost antioxidant production. Both of these pigments help protect against age-related vision loss.

“Lutein and zeaxanthin are like sunscreen for your eyes,” said lead author Xiang Li, a doctoral candidate in the Nutritional Biology Program.

“The higher the lutein and zeaxanthin in your retina, the more protection you have. Our study found that even in normal healthy eyes, these optical pigments can be increased with a small daily serving of goji berries,” said Li.

On the other hand, 14 participants who consumed an eye health supplement over the same period didn’t see any improvement. The study results have been published in the journal Nutrients.

Goji Berries Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Goji berries grow on two species of shrub bushes native to northwest China: Lycium chinense and Lycium barbarum. They have a sweet, slightly sour taste and have been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. They’re a key component of many Chinese soups and herbal teas and are often eaten as a snack.

According to Chinese medicine, goji berries have “eye brightening” qualities, which help slow age-related vision loss. Since Li grew up in northern China, she wanted to investigate how the powerful berries impacted eye health.

“Many types of eye diseases exist, so it is not clear which disease ‘eye brightening’ is targeting,” said Li.

First, she researched the bioactive compounds in goji berries and found they possessed high lutein and zeaxanthin levels. These powerful antioxidants help reduce the risk of age-related vision loss such as AMD.

Li also discovered that goji berries contain a highly bioavailable form of zeaxanthin. This means that the digestive system can easily absorb it so the body can utilize it.

Causes and Treatment for Age-Related Vision Loss, Like Macular Degeneration

Currently, treatment for moderate cases of AMD calls for specialized dietary supplements called AREDS. These contain vitamins C, E, zinc, copper, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Currently, no therapy specifically targets macular degeneration in its earliest stages. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE because AMD doesn’t present with symptoms at first. However, doctors can detect it and other eye issues during a regular eye check-up.

According to Yiu, many complex factors contribute to the development of age-related vision loss. These include genetic vulnerability, age-related changes, and lifestyle factors like smoking, diet, and sun exposure.

“Our study shows goji berries, which are a natural food source, can improve macular pigments of healthy participants beyond taking high-dose nutritional supplements,” said Yiu. “The next step for our research will be to examine goji berries in patients with early-stage AMD.”

The authors note that while the results are encouraging, more studies are needed to confirm the results.

However, one other study in 114 people with early macular degeneration showed improvements with goji berry supplements. They took a daily supplement for 90 days and showed greater macular pigment density, slowing AMD’s progression.

Other Ways to Slow or Prevent Age-Related Vision Loss

If you want healthier eyes, follow these tips from the National Institute on Aging:

Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outdoors in the sun. Even on cloudy or winter days, the sun can still damage your eyes, so protect them year-round.
Quit smoking, as it can increase the risk of age-related vision loss and diseases like AMD or cataracts.
Maintain a healthy diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables. Goji berries, blueberries, carrots, leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, eggs, and salmon have high antioxidant levels and fatty acids that promote eye health.
Get regular exercise and lose weight if needed.
Manage blood pressure and diabetes (if you have it), as both conditions can contribute to age-related vision loss.
Take breaks every twenty minutes if you’re on the computer for long hours. Get up, walk around, and look at objects far away to give your eyes a break.
Have a yearly eye exam. Since most people don’t have symptoms in the early stages of eye diseases, they often go undetected. However, an ophthalmologist or optometrist can find and treat problems before they become unmanageable. If you’re fifty or older, you should have a dilated eye exam annually, where your doctor can examine your eyes more closely.

Final Thoughts on Study Showing that Goji Berries Improve Vision

As you get older, you’re more vulnerable to health problems such as age-related vision loss. However, a new study by UC Davis found that goji berries could preserve eye health and protect against diseases like macular degeneration. After 90 days, participants had higher levels of the protective pigments lutein and zeaxanthin in their eyes.

Another study found that participants taking a goji berry supplement also had more macular pigment. However, in the first study, those who took a supplement showed no improvement. Therefore, it’s probably best to eat goji berries naturally before trying other options. Either way, the research proves the power of goji berries, and we can all benefit from their healing properties.

The 8 Different Types of Dementia According to Science

November 19, 2022 by Sarah Barkley

When people think of dementia, they often think about Alzheimer’s disease, but that is only one of eight types of dementia. It’s an umbrella term for memory, language, and thinking loss that interferes with someone’s daily life. However, dementia means the brain isn’t functioning well, including many types.

Experts say some types of dementia are treatable or reversible, but others are permanent. Learning about the different types can help you identify conditions in your or your loved ones early on. With early detection, there is a better chance of slowing the brain’s decline, and it offers more time for making healthcare decisions.

Dementia is likely to worsen over time, no matter which type. However, learning about the different types can help slow the progress as you’ll know how to ease the symptoms.

Scientists Explain the Eight Different Types of Dementia

Don’t lose hope if you or a loved one is diagnosed with one of these types of dementia. There are treatment options available, making early detection essential. The treatment will depend on the type of dementia, so pay attention to the differences to get started.

1. Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia is a common type of dementia, affecting nearly 1.4 million Americans. It’s more common in people older than 50, but getting it at a younger age isn’t unheard of. With Lewy body dementia, proteins form clumps around the nerve cells responsible for memory, motor control, and thinking.

Some days will be better than others, and it might even seem like the person is back to normal. Then, there will be days when they are out of it, and it’s hard to see who they are.

Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia

The symptoms of Lewy body dementia depend on where the clumps form first. The symptoms include:

Visual hallucinations
Delusions
Acting out their dreams
Impaired memory
Inability to plan activities
Difficulty making decisions
Blanking out
Unusual and unexplained sleepiness
Unable to process information
Inability to pay attention
Lack of alertness

As the condition worsens, the patient might also suffer from the symptoms of Parkinson’s. These symptoms include the following indicators:

Rigid muscles
Tremors
Difficulty walking
Fluctuating moods and awareness

2. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

This disease is rare, affecting around 350 Americans each year. While it doesn’t occur often, it is fast-moving and fatal. An infectious protein causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the brain, causing normal proteins to misfold into abnormal shapes.

The infectious protein can be inherited, but it can also come from eating the meat of an infected animal. Additionally, it can come from a medical procedure when an infected tissue gets implanted in the body.

Symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

The symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease progress quickly, resulting in a rapid decline in the patient’s health. Watch for the following signs early on:

Depression
Mood swings
Confusion
Agitation
Difficulties with memory
Poor judgment
Trouble walking
Muscle twitches
Involuntary movements
Hallucinations
Blindness

3. Alzheimer’s Disease (probably the best-known type of dementia)

This disease is the most common type of dementia, making up 60-80% of the cases. It occurs when plaques in the brain destroy brain cells and their connections.

The plaques can start developing many years before you experience any symptoms. Alzheimer’s symptoms typically begin when someone is in their 60s or 70s, but, in rare cases, it can happen sooner.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

The symptoms typically progress steadily over several years. At first, it might seem like typical instances of a terrible memory, but you’ll notice a decline over time. The symptoms include:

Forgetfulness
Repeating things many times, sometimes in the same conversation
Being unable to retain new information
Confusion performing simple tasks
Getting lost
Memory loss
Difficulty making plans
Frequently losing things
Mood swings and personality changes

As the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen. Then, you’ll want to watch for:

Confusion about the time of day
Difficulty following a conversation
Forgetting the names of loved ones
A decline in the ability to speak
Issues with walking
A struggle with eating without assistance

4. Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease is an inherited brain disorder passed down through the Huntington gene. It is progressive and affects the part of the brain that affects movement, behavior, and mood. This disease affects nearly 40,000 Americans, and there is a 50-50 chance of passing it to the patient’s child.

Symptoms of Huntington’s Disease

The symptoms typically begin between thirty and fifty years old, but you might recognize them earlier or later. Symptoms vary based on the severity of the disease, but patients will likely experience them all at some point. The symptoms include:

Difficulties planning and organizing
Having a hard time remembering things
Struggling to stay on task
Being unable to hold a cup steady
Involuntary movements
Slurred speech
Abnormal twisting of body parts, including the arm, knee, or foot
Memory loss
Lack of judgment

5. Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

A thiamine deficiency causes this degenerative brain disease. Thiamine, also known as vitamin B1, can be lost due to long-term alcoholism. Severe weight loss or anorexia can also cause low levels of thiamine.

Symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

People with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can do a good job holding a social conversation. Many people won’t even recognize that anything is wrong at first. However, when symptoms appear, they include:

Memory loss
Vision problems
Lack of concentration
Disorientation
Ataxia
The inability to coordinate voluntary movement
Inability to retain information
Making up portions of their memories that they can’t recall

6. Vascular Dementia

This type of dementia is the second most common type, accounting for about 15-20% of cases. It occurs when blood flow is blocked from part of the brain. The blockage deprives the neurons of oxygen and damages or kills the cells.

Vascular dementia often occurs after a significant stroke but can also happen after a series of small strokes or transient ischemic attacks. It can also come from a brain hemorrhage or narrowing blood vessels. People over 65 are most commonly affected by vascular dementia, and the risk increases with age.

Symptoms of Vascular Dementia

The symptoms vary depending on the severity of the situation. When a stroke has taken place, it depends on which part of the brain was affected. Additionally, when one symptom sets in, it’ll likely stabilize for a bit before worsening.

The symptoms include:

Difficulties with language
Inability to pay attention
Inappropriate emotional outbursts
Poor planning
Judgment
Memory loss
Confusion or agitation
Impaired motor skills
Depression
Loss of bladder control
Hallucinations
Trouble speaking
Problems recognizing common sights and sounds
Personality shifts
Frequent falls

7. Frontotemporal Dementia

This type of dementia is less common as it affects only 60,000 Americans yearly. However, when people under 60 are diagnosed with dementia, frontotemporal dementia is the most common cause.

Frontotemporal dementia occurs when proteins attack the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. These lobes are responsible for behavior, language, and motor function.

Symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal Dementia starts in the frontal lobe, so it often affects mood and behavior first. Early on, it is often confused for a psychiatric disorder, but the symptoms escalate over time. Some of the symptoms include:

Aggression
Apathetic behavior
A lack of empathy
Unexplained personality and behavior changes
Inappropriate language
Acting out sexually
Unusual cravings and eating habits
Compulsions
Problems with speaking
Trouble writing
Decrease in comprehension skills
Muscle weakness and atrophy

8. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus affects around 700,000 Americans, but only about twenty percent receive a correct diagnosis. It is a type of dementia that can be treated when caught early on, but it is often mistaken for other dementia types or normal aging.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus occurs when excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s cavities. The fluid enlarges the cavities and interferes with brain tissue. It can happen when you hit your head on something or have some blood in your spinal fluid from infection or trauma.

These situations can prevent the area from draining well. In other instances, it might be that the patient is overproducing fluid but not draining it as quickly. This condition can be treated with a shunt, draining the fluid from your brain into the abdomen.

Symptoms of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is often diagnosed after a head injury, trauma, or infection. The cause is often unknown, but the symptoms tend to be the same despite what happened. The symptoms include:

Urinary incontinence
Difficulty with balance
Trouble walking
Cognitive problems
Short-term memory loss
Mood changes
Difficulty making decisions
Having a hard time performing tasks

Diagnosing The Different Types of Dementia

When a doctor diagnoses which type of dementia a patient has, they will collect information. The information will include the patient’s family health history, current symptoms, when the condition began, and the rate of progression.

Additionally, the patient might have blood tests, an MRI, a CT scan, or a spinal tap. Sometimes, the doctor will request a neuropsychological assessment assessing the patient’s ability to draw shapes and remember details. These tests will help narrow down which type of dementia a patient has.

Final Thoughts on Understanding the Eight Types of Dementia

Most people have heard of this brain disorder, but not many realize that there are eight types dementia. Once you know the different types of dementia, you have a better chance of recognizing it in you or your loved ones.

Watch for the symptoms and make a note to share with the doctor. A doctor can help slow the progress or start treatment when possibDon’ton’t waste time wondering if something is wrong when you can use this information to help you identify an issue.

Science Explains What Happens in the Brain During a Migraine

November 19, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

It’s estimated that around one billion people suffer from migraine headaches globally. This volume makes it the third most prevalent illness, behind tooth decay and tension-type headaches. A migraine headache is not your run-of-the-mill pain, however. Instead, it is a neurological (brain) disease that can have severe symptoms.

If you’ve ever had a migraine headache, you know how debilitating and painful they feel. They differ from everyday headaches that tend to pass quickly and easily. Migraines frequently occur due to complex neurological changes in some brain regions. The headaches can last from hours to days and may impact daily activities depending on severity.

Eight Common Symptoms of a Migraine Headache

While symptoms vary from person to person, these are general signs of a migraine:

intense, pounding headache
nausea
vomiting
trouble speaking
light sensitivity
fatigue
sleep disruptions
visual disturbances such as bright lines, flashing dots, or lights

Migraines can include any of these symptoms, though a throbbing, pulsing headache happens most frequently. However, migraine sufferers can experience many symptoms, and some may not have a headache. However, most people will notice strange sensations in the days leading up to a migraine.

Four Phases of a Migraine Headache

Changes in the brain can occur a few hours or even days before a migraine. Migraines tend to happen in four phases: prodrome (preheadache phase), aura, headache, and postdrome (migraine aftermath). Nearly 30% of people will experience symptoms before the migraine onset.

This first phase can last a few hours or days. Not everyone will experience it because it may not occur each time. It’s also called the “preheadache” or “premonitory” phase. Common symptoms include difficulty concentrating, irritability, depression, trouble speaking, sleep disruptions, nausea, fatigue, light and sound sensitivity, food cravings, muscle stiffness, and increased urination.
Aura: The aura phase may last between five minutes and an hour. Auras impact sensory, motor, and speech functions and are a warning sign of an impending migraine. They typically happen before a migraine but can also occur during or after. Only about 15-20% of people with migraines experience auras. Aura symptoms can include:

Blind spots in your vision
Seeing bright, flashing lines, dots, or lights
Numbness or tingling
Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
Ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Temporary vision loss
Seeing zigzagging lines
Changes in smell or taste
A “funny” feeling

Headache: A migraine headache can last anywhere from four to 72 hours. However, the term “headache” is a vast understatement because most people with migraines consider them debilitating. Some people experience it only on one side, but it can affect the head. Other symptoms during this stage include hypersensitivity, speech changes, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, tender scalp, and pale skin. You may also experience dizziness, blurred vision, sweating, and chills.
Postdrome: The postdrome stage may last for one or two days. It’s sometimes referred to as a migraine “hangover,” and about 80% of migraine sufferers experience it. Symptoms include the inability to concentrate, depression, fatigue, comprehension problems, and euphoria.

What Happens in the Brain During a Migraine Headache

During the prodrome phase, the warning signs of migraine occur due to changes in the hypothalamus. Typically, the hypothalamus keeps our hormones balanced, controls thirst signals, and maintains circadian rhythm. However, brain signals controlling these functions are disrupted because it’s more active during the days leading up to a migraine.

People experience transitory visual, speech, and motor disturbances in the aura phase. These sensations happen due to changes in electrical waves across cell membranes. It can spread quickly across the brain to the visual cortex, affecting blood flow and causing blind spots or other aura symptoms.

During the third or headache phase, changes in the trigeminal nerve occur. This nerve transmits sensory information like touch, temperature, and pain from your face to your brain. It also sends signals to the scalp and blood vessels near the cerebral cortex. When a migraine headache occurs, this nerve becomes overly active, which increases pain sensitivity. Even activities such as bending over or coughing, or sensations like light and sound, can seem excruciating.

What Causes a Migraine Headache?

Even though migraines are pretty standard, it’s still unknown precisely what causes them. Scientists only know that specific nerves in the blood vessels send pain signals to your brain. However, why the nerves respond that way is still a mystery. More research on the brain areas affected during migraines – the brainstem, cerebral hemispheres, and the nerves.

Certain factors such as genetics, gender, and stress can increase your likelihood of migraines. Around 80% of people with migraines have a family history of the disease. Also, women are three times as likely as men to have migraines. Women between 15 and 55 experience migraine headaches more often due to hormonal fluctuations. Finally, heightened emotional stress can trigger a migraine because of increased cortisol.

It’s also been observed that people with migraines tend to have comorbidities such as depression, panic disorder, strokes, and sleep disorders. It’s unclear whether migraines cause these illnesses or vice versa; however, scientists believe genetics plays a crucial role. Still, they haven’t been able to identify any gene in particular that causes migraines.

They know that specific genes control our sensitivity to environmental stimuli, which determines our pain response. Perhaps the neurons in the brains of migraine sufferers respond more strongly to environmental stimuli, leading to increased sensitivity.

These unanswered questions about migraine headache causes warrant more research in the future. However, people who suffer from migraines experience complex changes in their brains.

Final Thoughts on Brain Changes that Occur During a Migraine

Anyone who gets migraine headaches can attest to how unbearable they are. Despite being the third most common illness globally, it’s unclear what causes these painful headaches. Scientists know that changes in specific brain areas, such as the hypothalamus and cerebral hemispheres, can trigger them. However, they’re still unsure what causes the nerves to send pain signals to the brain.

Hopefully, we’ll have more answers on the mechanisms driving these headaches in the future. Knowing the cause would improve treatment plans and perhaps cure migraines altogether. Doctors prescribe pain medications for severe migraines or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers for mild symptoms.

Science Explains How a Healthy Immune System Works

November 18, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

A healthy immune system is a central part of survival and protection. It includes many organs throughout the body’s vast tissue and cell network. The function of the system is simple in concept but complex in detail. It must identify threats to the body, differentiate them from healthy objects, and eradicate unwanted intruders.

The overall function of the immune system can be tough to understand. It’s hard to comprehend the incredibly nuanced behaviors the system undergoes to protect you effectively. What’s the secret? What’s going on in your body?

Here’s how a healthy immune system works!

1. White Blood Cells

White blood cells are crucial for the most significant roles in immune system responses. They can be found throughout the body, using lymphatic and blood vessels to travel around. A healthy immune system has plenty of white blood cells and can produce new ones.

Also known as leukocytes, white blood cells focus on seeking out pathogens and harmful microorganisms. When they detect these unwanted items, they multiply to meet these responses. They then send signals out to various other cells about the unwanted intruder.

How Pathogens Impact a Healthy Immune System

To destroy pathogens, white blood cells in a healthy immune system:

Are capable of recognizing pathogens quickly
Multiple and bind themselves to pathogens, thus completely engulfing them
Using various natural chemicals to destroy the pathogens

For the most part, white blood cells can quickly detect harmful germs. But some pathogens can be harder to see and can slip unnoticed, harming you and making you very ill.

How The Body Stores White Blood Cells

While white blood cells can travel throughout most of the body, they are stored in:

Bone marrow, that is, the fluid in the middle of bones
The thymus, which is a gland beneath the neck nestled between the lungs
Lymph nodes are small glands connected by lymphatic vessels throughout the body
The spleen is a blood-filtering organ just above the abdomen and to the left

There are two primary white blood cells in a healthy immune system. The first is called a phagocyte. These cells are responsible for surrounding, engulfing, and breaking down pathogens. To a degree, they “eat” the germs they’re trying to eliminate. Types of phagocytes include:

Macrophages, which remove dying and dead cells and seek out pathogens
Mas cells, have numerous different jobs that include anti-pathogen defense and wound healing
Monocytes, which are very large phagocytes with multiple jobs
Neutrophils, which are the most common phagocyte type and typically attack bacteria

But what, then, about the second type?

2. The Role Of Lymphocytes

The second type of white blood cell is lymphocytes. These have a particular purpose in recognizing previous pathogens and attacking them should they appear again. This allows the body to “remember” the best way to tackle various microorganisms practically, and safely.

There are two different kinds of lymphocytes. The first type is called a B lymphocyte. This type of lymphocyte, also called a B-cell, remains in the bone marrow where it is created. They’re responsible for antibody production and carry alerts to other lymphocytes.

Antibodies are a kind of protein that binds antigens. Antigens are any pathogen that triggers an antibody response. When B-cells realize an invading antigen, antibodies mark that invader for the rest of the immune system to find and destroy it.

Common Antibodies Include The Following:

IgA, protects orifices in the body by existing in fluids like saliva and tears
IgD, which remains with B-cells to help kick-start immune responses
IgE, which protects you from parasites but also triggers allergies and allergic reactions
IgG, or immunoglobulin, marks various microorganisms for other cells to handle
IgM, which kills bacteria

The second type of lymphocyte is T-lymphocytes or T-cells. After creation, these cells travel to the thymus and focus on altering leukocytes and destroying intruder cells. Helper T-cells do the former role, while killer T-cells perform the latter.

Lymphocytes of all kinds also release chemicals known as cytokines. These molecules are designed to signal various body parts and are involved in immune responses differently. A healthy immune system’s cytokines include chemokines, interferons, interleukins, and lymphokines. These cytokines affect lymphocytes and other cells by stimulating inflammatory responses.

Inflammation at this controlled level is crucial for repairing tissue, fighting antigens, and dealing with infections. This is why, for example, fevers are a typical response to the presence of an unwanted virus. Inflammation helps to strengthen the immune system when it needs that extra kick.

It is worth noting, of course, that chronic inflammation is unhealthy and can cause numerous different issues in the body. As with all things, an excess of this response will harm you more than help you.

3. The Types of Immunity

Each person has a different immune system, but for the most part, a healthy immune system will become stronger over time. This is why children are more prone to illness than adults. This is because the immune system is good at handling antigens it has already encountered.

Kids who get sick are exposed to many different pathogens that their body has to learn to fight. These germs and microorganisms are remembered by the body, allowing a better, more robust response in the future.

Eventually, repeated exposure to an antigen can cause the body to develop immunity to that particular intruder. Essentially, your white blood cells will be able to destroy the antigen the second it sees it. This is most obvious in cases like chickenpox, where if you get the disease once, your body doesn’t get it again.

This impressive defense is known as immunity. There are three kinds:

· Innate Immunity

Human beings are naturally born with some level of immunity. This allows them to fight primary germs and pathogens that may harm other animals or living creatures. The human body cannot get certain diseases, even with direct exposure, except in sporadic cases. Studies show that this is due to unique pattern recognition receptors as immune sensing.

· Adaptive Immunity

Also known as acquired immunity, this refers to immunity learned through exposure over time. It may come from sickness or vaccinations. Some people call this immunological memory, as it’s an example of a healthy immune system capable of remembering past intruders’ faces. Studies show that this involves the identification of “signature” features of various antigens.

· Passive Immunity

This type of immunity is temporary and comes from quick sources. The most obvious example of this is in babies. Babies can receive immunity from specific antigens by consuming antibodies through breast milk. They lose that immunity when they are weaned off the milk or don’t consume it for a while.

4. Disorders That Affect The Immune System

Not everyone has a healthy immune system; several conditions can affect the body’s natural defenses. These include the following conditions:

· Allergies

A healthy immune system responds to allergens by expelling them and quickly removing them. Allergy diseases, however, because that response can dial up to 11. The severity of such allergies can even become life-threatening in some cases.

· Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders occur when B-cells misidentify threats, producing autoantibodies. Autoantibodies attack the body instead of invader cells, thus making you fight your body by considering things like organs, cells, and tissues unfamiliar invaders. On the other hand, a healthy immune system can fight off this attack.

· Immunodeficiency

Immunodeficiency refers to an under-activity of the immune system. This can cause a genetically inherited disease, such as SCID, or occur due to diseases like cancer or HIV. It can also come from specific medical treatments and medications, like chemotherapy.

Individuals with these disorders will need special treatment and unique considerations to keep themselves safe and healthy.

Final Thoughts On How A Healthy Immune System Works

The human immune system is an essential part of the survival of our species. Without it, we would be highly vulnerable to various diseases and illnesses. Therefore, we would have likely gone extinct a long time ago!

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