Seong-Jin Seong, a professor of neurosurgery at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, talks about the brain. The brain is a small volume of 1.4 kilograms, but it dominates me and seems perfect, but also imperfect. From the perspective of a doctor who majored in brain, how to understand the brain in order to live a healthier, happier life, and how to communicate with others who have different brains than you Let’s explore with the stories. See you once a week on Saturday
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[조성진 순천향대 부속 서울병원 신경외과 교수] Donald Reagan, a former actor who served as the 40th president of the United States, is famous for his entertaining speeches that earned him the nickname ‘the master of communication’. He was also a very popular president who successfully achieved economic development in the United States. However, in 1994, he announced his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia as a public address. This speech served as an opportunity to actively conduct Alzheimer’s research in the United States. However, despite many studies since then, no definitive treatment has yet been developed, so Alzheimer’s is considered an incurable disease.
In general, we take it for granted that dementia comes as we get older, but dementia is not a normal part of aging. According to a report released by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease affects 3% of the population aged 65 to 74 in the United States. However, the risk increases with age, and dementia, which is caused by various causes, is diagnosed in 17% of those aged 75 to 84 years and 32% in those aged 85 or older.
Also, many people in the family are anxious because they think that those diagnosed with dementia are more likely to develop dementia later, but this is not true. Some forms of dementia have a genetic component, but in most cases there is no strong genetic link. The most risk factor for dementia is age rather than genetic factors. However, if your parents or grandparents had Alzheimer’s before age 65, your chances of passing it on may be high.
Memory loss is often misunderstood as always referring to dementia. Memory loss may be an early symptom of dementia, but it does not indicate the onset of dementia. Human memory is unpredictable, and we all often forget things we should do from time to time. However, if the memory loss is interfering with your daily life, it is better to see a doctor for a diagnosis of dementia.
Some people believe that dementia can always be prevented with early treatment. Unfortunately this is not true. There is no convincing evidence that vitamin and mineral supplements can also reduce the risk of dementia. However, certain types of dementia, such as vascular dementia and alcoholic dementia, are sufficiently preventable.
A recent study reported that antioxidants may prevent neurodegeneration, but researchers found that higher levels of lutein and zeaxanthin, the carotenoids found together in green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, are associated with a reduced risk of dementia. found. They also found that higher levels of beta-cryptoxanthin, found in berries, apples and papayas, were associated with a lower risk of dementia. Of course, in order for such a study to be accepted in the academic community, additional research is needed because a definite conclusion must be reached through a randomized controlled trial.
It is often known that people with dementia have aggressive tendencies. It is true that it is becoming increasingly difficult for dementia patients to understand their surroundings. While this confusion can often lead to frustration and mood swings, which can often lead to anger, this is not the case for everyone. It has been reported that about 40% of dementia patients exhibited aggression, and there are two main factors: physical pain and poor interpersonal relationships between patients and caregivers.
Finally, most seem to think that dementia is never fatal. But dementia can be fatal enough. Dementia experts said that dementia accounts for about 13% of the cause of death in old age, and it is not a small proportion as it is the fifth leading cause of death among 80-year-olds. Death of dementia patients is often a complication of accompanying diseases rather than a direct cause of dementia. In the late stage of dementia, movement becomes dull and basic physical activity to cover urine and feces becomes difficult, so the body becomes weak and immune function is lowered, making it very vulnerable to complications. It is known that the main causes of death are pneumonia due to inability to spit out, frequent urinary tract infections due to wearing diapers, bedsores, and aspiration pneumonia caused by swallowing disorders.
Currently, researchers are working hard to find a better way to develop and prevent dementia, but there is no news of a breakthrough drug yet. In the future, I hope that science can conquer dementia and reduce the fear of dementia as soon as possible.