The Benefits of Internet Access for Preventing Dementia

Prevention of dementia│I often hear that “social media is harmful”. Is this statement true? A few days ago, a new study found that regular surfing the Internet is good for brain health, and it also said that doing this behavior every day may help prevent Alzheimer’s (cognitive impairment).

Written by: Ray@Medical Inspire │ Source: shutterstock │ Source:Journal of the American Geriatrics Society

preventionAlzheimer │ Internet access can prevent “dementia”? Research: This “hour” is the most effective!

In today’s generation, the elderly or parents in the family generally believe that surfing the Internet is harmful to both physiology and psychology, and some people even point out that “watching too much will damage the brain”! However, everything has advantages and disadvantages, and being addicted to the Internet is of course harmful, but it is undeniable that the Internet broadens people’s horizons and acquires all kinds of latest knowledge and information. The latest research from New York University (NYU) also shows that continuous use of the Internet can halve the risk of dementia, but indulging in the Internet can also cause harm!

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (JAGS) reveals that using the Internet can help prevent dementia. The study followed 18,154 cognitively normal adults aged 50 to 65. The researchers used the frequency of their daily Internet use to correlate with their cognitive abilities. During the study period, 4.68% of the participants were diagnosed with dementia.

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Study finds association between frequent Internet use and lower risk of dementia; participants who used the Internet regularly had about half the risk of dementia compared with those who did not use the Internet, independent of education level, race, ethnicity or gender effects. Participants who surfed the Internet for 6 minutes to 2 hours a day had the lowest risk, but those who used the Internet for 6 to 8 hours had the highest risk of developing Alzheimer’s, thus showing that excessive Internet use is not good for brain health. Study author Virginia W. Chang, MD, NYU, said:

Using social media can help prevent dementia in the elderly

Amit Sachdev, Ph.D., neurology at Michigan State University (MSU), agrees, noting that being online can help social interaction and reduce feelings of loneliness. At the same time, he pointed out that “healthy interpersonal relationships are obviously helpful in preventing dementia.” Earlier studies have revealed that the risk of dementia among lonely elderly people is three times that of those who use social media. Dr. Sachdev also said that preventing dementia is to keep the brain healthy and make use of it, and the Internet can just help us “use the brain in new ways every day.”

Ten warning signs of dementia:

1.) Memory loss that affects daily life

2.) Decreased ability to process things and solve problems

3.) Difficulty performing familiar tasks

4.) Confusion about time and direction

5.) Difficulty understanding visual images and spatial relationships

6.) Difficulty speaking or writing selected words

7.) Randomly place objects and cannot review the placement process

8.) Declining judgment

9.) Loss of enthusiasm and initiative in work or social activities

10.) Mood or personality changes

Top 10 Brain Care Tips:

1.) Commonly used heads (participate in different types of interest groups and activities)

2.) Establish healthy eating habits (balanced food choices and portion sizes are important)

3.) Develop an exercise habit (such as walking for thirty minutes a day)

4.) Participate in more social activities

5.) Keep a cheerful mood (long-term exposure to stress hormones will cause a large number of neurons to die)

6.) Sufficient sleep (maintain good sleep quality and time)

7.) Stay away from alcohol and tobacco (so as not to disrupt the balance of brain biochemical mechanisms)

8.) Pay attention to weight and blood pressure (heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes will increase the chance of developing dementia)

9.) Eat regular meals (eating three meals on time can reduce the nutritional imbalance in the brain)

10.) Protects the brain from foreign impacts