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How to Get Involved for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

September is Alzheimer’s Awareness month, help us create awareness for Alzheimer’s whether they be small or large gestures. 47 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. While there is plenty of research being done, there is no cure yet. This number can increase to 76 million by the year 2030. It is important to raise awareness and funds to find ways to cure this growing epidemic.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Unfortunately, too many people are unaware of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. This can lead to a delay in treatment. If Alzheimer’s disease is treated earlier, a neurologist can help the affected have a better quality of life. At Silver State Neurology, we are a Las Vegas neurology clinic devoted to helping our patients achieve a better quality of life. We provide Alzheimer’s disease treatment in Las Vegas for our senior patients. It is among our top 5 diagnoses at Silver State Neurology.

How You Can Make A Difference

1. Wear Purple

The color for Alzheimer’s Awareness is purple. Stand with us in creating awareness for the disease. Wearing the color doesn’t take much effort. It’s a simple yet bold gesture that makes a huge difference in your communities. You may even consider tying a ribbon on a backpack, purse or creatively think of other ways to incorporate the color to drive attention to the disease.

2. Share Your Story

Alzheimer’s and Dementia is a disease that is affecting 47 million people in the United States. Many of us have untold stories of how Alzheimer’s have affected our lives. Please share them, you are not alone!

3. Inform Yourself

Building awareness starts with understanding something ourselves. We see plenty of awareness days all year long, but how many of us spend even 5 minutes to learn a little bit more about something? We hardly spend the time to research something if we don’t know what it is. If you have no knowledge of Alzheimer’s or know anyone being affected by it, it’s important to educate yourself anyway. It can affect anyone at any point in time. Our own individual awareness of diseases can help us save lives of people around us and catching on to symptoms much quicker.

4. Raise Your Awareness In Your Friends, Family, Work Place & Community

Once you learn more about it, spend time making it a topic of conversation with your friends, family, work place and community. Sometimes people don’t know much about awareness days going on during the month, it’s nice to bring it up casually. Many people enjoy learning new things and keeping up with what is happening across the United States and the world. You can make a difference simply by walking into work and saying, “Did you know September is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month?” Educating others about awareness days can help save those around them.

5. Participate or Host an Event

More often than not, there are events going on around your community that you might not know about. You’d be surprised at the amount of participation we see yearly for creating awareness of all sorts. Some events include fundraisers, annual walks, donations, and more. Tons of organizations exist to take the fight against Alzheimer’s further. Your participation and help makes the biggest difference. If you don’t see an event related to the cause near you, you can create one yourself! Many local businesses around your area are likely to be more than willing to help and offer their support in some way.

6. Participate on online Awareness Campaigns

Social Media is a huge outlet for creating awareness. Each organization and business is on social media. Marketing campaigns depend on getting their messages across through the use of social media nowadays. Search for related hashtags if you are looking for more information on what people are saying about Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. You’ll also be surprised to see that many people share their stories on social media and use particular hashtags. You or someone you know who is affected by it can be encouraged to share their stories if you take a look at the other stories online. It brings the community closer together even if you are states apart.

Learn more from your Doctor

Every person may experience one or more of these signs in a different degree. One symptom alone does not necessarily indicate that a person has Alzheimer’s disease. However, if you start noticing more than one symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, don’t ignore them. Please see a doctor. Contact us to make an appointment at Silver State Neurology. Our Las Vegas neurologist, Dr. Christopher Milford, is well-equipped to help you manage your Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Please see the list of insurances we accept and learn what to expect when seeing a neurologist. Visit our Facebook page to learn more about the conditions that we treat. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America unites more than 2,600 member organizations nationwide in the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals living with dementia and to their families and caregivers.

Natural home Remedies to Prevent and Treat Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s is a debilitating disease that can affect a patient’s lifestyle. Patients struggle to walk, eat, talk, and carry out everyday tasks that we often take for granted. This is a chronic degenerative disorder that affects the neurological system and can grow worse with time. Some people experience one set of systems while others experience something different. Parkinson’s disease is more prevalent in elderly people and men.

Early Signs of Parkinson’s Disease

If you have a family history of Parkinson’s disease, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on symptoms. Early signs manifest differently in different people so being aware of all the possible symptoms can help. Here’s are some signs to look out for:

    •Muscle and body rigidity
    •Trembling hands, legs, and body
    •Poor posture or postural instability
    •Bradykinesia, which is the slowness of movement
    •Pausing or freezing during walking
    •Digestive issues
    •Urinary problems, especially when it comes to controlling urination
    •Speaking and carrying out complex conversations
    •Trouble eating (the physical act of eating)
    •Depression
    •Fatigue
    •Poor sleeping pattern
    •Changes in tone and cadence of voice
    •Skin issues

These are just some of the many problems that indicate the onset of Parkinson’s disease. If you experience or see a loved one experience any of these issues, contact a professional neurologist immediately. They will provide advice and recommend effective ways to manage the symptoms.

What Are The Natural Remedies for Parkinson’s?

People often underestimate the influence and effectiveness of natural remedies or lifestyle changes on diseases such as Parkinson’s. Scientific research shows us that altering the diet and adding specific nutrients can help. Here’s a look at what you can do to improve the quality of life under the influence of this disease:

1. Types of Food

Many experts consider the digestive tract to be the body’s secondary brain. What we eat on a regular basis impacts our physical and mental health, which is why it’s a good idea to consider how diet influences Parkinson’s. Here’s a look at the type of food you should consume:

    •Raw Foods – Raw fruits and vegetables in the daily diet can affect a person’s overall health and fitness. They are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, flavonoids, enzymes, phytonutrients, amino acids, etc. They also have anti-inflammatory properties and contain fiber that can aid with digestion.
    •Fiber-Rich Food – People with Parkinson’s experience digestive problems like constipation or inconsistent bowel movements. Fibrous foods can help with these issues and ensure the metabolism functions better.
    •Healthy Fats – People hear “fats” and run in the opposite direction, but healthy fats provide a number of health benefits. This includes mental and neurological health benefits. Avocado, coconut, sprouted nuts, seeds like flax and walnuts, wild-caught fish, etc., contain plenty of healthy fats and can help with Parkinson’s.
    •Omega 3 – Omega-3 fatty acids should be an essential part of your diet, whether you have Parkinson’s or not. This nutrient has anti-inflammatory properties and will elevate dopamine levels in the brain. The dopamine can help with depression and improve a patient’s mood. You can incorporate this into your diet by adding nuts and seeds.
    •Vegetable Juices – Patients who have difficulty eating fresh fruits and vegetables should consume vegetable juices. Make them at home from fresh vegetables instead of buying them in cans. Fresh juice will help with constipation and keep you hydrated as well.
    •Green Tea – Green tea has numerous health benefits. Nutrients like polyphenol antioxidants and theanine help fight free radicals while improving dopamine levels in the brain. Experts recommend consuming two to three cups of green tea per day for the best effect.

There are some food items and dishes that can aggravate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and make things difficult for patients. It’s a good idea to reduce or eliminate these ingredients entirely. They include excessive protein, processed food, artificial sweeteners, added sugar, alcohol, and items that trigger an allergic reaction in patients. Some Parkinson’s disease patients benefit from eliminating or reducing grains in their diet.

2. Exercise

Poor physical mobility, lack of balance, and other such symptoms of Parkinson’s disease discourage exercise. Patients find it difficult to get motivated and choose to limit their physical movement. Unfortunately, that can make the symptoms worse. At Silver State Neurology, we encourage patients to exercise regularly and recommend:

    •Gentle and easy stretches to prevent muscle soreness and stiffness.
    •Careful and cautious workouts involve activities like walking, swimming, or something similarly mild.
    •Exercises like yoga or Tai Chi that can help improve balance.

Gentle but regular activity can elevate the mood, keeps depression at bay, and ensures your muscles are active. That’s important for treating Parkinson’s disease at home.

3. Supplements

Our Las Vegas Neurologist will recommend a series of supplements to help improve a patient’s general well-being. Supplements will help ensure you get all the nutrients your body needs to handle Parkinson’s. Experts recommend supplements like:

    •Coenzyme Q10 is rich in antioxidants and will help slow down the progression of Parkinson’s.
    •Vitamin C helps prevent damage caused by free radicals.
    •Vitamin D improves bone health and can influence the entire body.
    •Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that has a positive impact on brain function.
    •Green Vegetable Powder usually contains a combination of chlorella, spirulina, or wheatgrass and is a powerful detoxification supplement. It also provides critical minerals to help with overall health.

Natural essential oils can also help with some symptoms of Parkinson’s like depression, sleep deprivation, inflammation, tremors, etc. Essential oils like helichrysum, frankincense, and vetiver oil are particularly effective.

While natural remedies and solutions can help, it’s still important to consult with a professional neurologist. They will provide proven solutions based on an in-depth diagnosis of the patient’s condition. Silver State Neurology can also provide advice on preventive lifestyle changes that can help stall Parkinson’s or delay its onset significantly. A combination of professional advice along with the above mentioned natural remedies can help people improve their overall quality of life.

6 Ways to Improve Brain Function

Brain development isn’t static and it doesn’t stop when people enter adulthood. You can sharpen your focus, improve your ability to retain information, and train the mind to perform better with some patience and planning. Just like training the body, improving brain function requires effort but it can be done. Most modern professions require intensive mental focus for long stretches of time. Excessive work in such conditions can tax the brain and diminish its function, leading to a burnout.

By improving brain function and focusing effectively, it is possible to maintain a healthy mental balance without experiencing too much fatigue. It is also possible to improve brain function over time so you can handle more loads and become more efficient. Here are some ways to improve overall brain function in everyday life:

1. Become Physically Active

Many people assume there’s no connection between physical activity and brain capacity, but that’s not true. Physically active people have better focus, are more productive, and less likely to experience chemical imbalances in the brain. You can take a 45 to 60-minute walk in outdoor spaces every day and you’ll experience a significant boost in brain function over time.

While walking in green outdoor locations and soaking up the sun will help brain function, an aerobic workout provides better benefits. Full-body aerobic exercises with controlled weight-training seem to have a much bigger impact on overall brain function. This serves a dual purpose as your body is fit too.

2. Manage Stress

The human brain isn’t designed to handle excessive amounts of stress on an everyday basis. It can have a negative impact on both your physical and mental health. People who experience excessive stress or burnout find that their brain capacity has diminished as well. They can’t focus clearly, have difficulty retaining information, and lack creativity.

This is because excessive stress triggers the release of cortisol in the brain. That leads to loss of bone mass, muscle mass, and brain mass. One of the best ways to boost mental capacity is to manage stress well. Recognize your limits and set reasonable boundaries. Do things that break the routine and stimulate the mind, which leads to forming new connections.

3. Don’t Consume Brain Toxins

People consume a large number of things that are harmful to the brain and can compromise its function. If these harmful items are a part of your everyday routine, the brain will be damaged severely. It’s a good idea to eliminate tobacco of any kind from your life. Processed meats have nitrosamines, which can be toxic to the brain; fresh meat sourced from local butchers are always a better alternative. Excessive alcohol consumption will have an impact on the brain’s chemistry so it’s a good idea to restrict alcohol consumption.

Food with excessive amounts of mercury and pesticides can impair brain function; eliminate that from your regular diet as well. All of these actions will eventually add up to better brain function. Sometimes lifestyle changes can make the biggest difference in improving brain function.

4. Eat Brain Enhancing Food Items

Some food items and nutrients have a positive impact on the brain. Certain diets like the Mediterranean diet have proven to protect brain function and stall degeneration. Followers of this diet retained more brain volume than non-followers over the course of three years of the study. This study saw improved brain function and slower brain decline in older people.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, seeds, olive oils, and whole grains. People that follow this diet only consume moderate amounts of red meat, dairy, and fish, and some red wine to complement their food. It’s why this diet is so effective and similar diets have a positive impact on brain function. Studies indicate regular nut consumption strengthens brain waves. It promotes healing; improves cognitive ability, memory, and other vital brain functions.

5. Expand Cognitive Abilities Through Training

The brain can be trained to improve function, regardless of your age. Some people believe that humans lose their ability to improve brain function as they grow older, but studies have shown that’s not true. For example, studies show that adults develop the same amount of new connections as children do when they learn a new language.

Expanding brain function requires some dedication and time. You need to invest in learning and mastering new things, exploring new places, and interacting with new people. All of these actions stimulate the brain and improve function. Your mind develops new connections to handle these tasks. Once the connections are developed, they continue to improve brain function and productivity over the long term.

6. Learn a Musical Instrument

Learning a musical instrument is just as challenging as learning a new language, if not more so. In order to learn music, you need to train your ear, develop physical dexterity or lung capacity. When people take up a musical instrument, they learn many different skills simultaneously and that challenges the brain. Every new song or tune is different, so every time a novice musician expands their vocabulary, the mind is challenged.

Research suggests learning musical instruments can reduce or slow down age-related mental decline significantly. Musicians are also more focused, better able to multitask, and are more productive. Music helps improve your hearing and listening skills. It also helps increase structural connectivity between different areas of the brain that process sound and control movement. Music also helps heal the brain, which rewires itself to bypass injured or degenerated areas to perform the new task.

Even adding two or three of these tasks to your weekly routine can help develop brain function and improve your overall mental health.

If your brain is functioning at a diminished capacity, despite getting proper rest, exercise, and nutrition, it’s time to consult a professional at Silver State Neurology. An experienced neurologist in Las Vegas will carefully examine you to determine the root cause. Sometimes lack of focus and diminished brain function is because of neurological degeneration. This requires medical assistance and careful guidance.

Exercises That Are Good For Brain Health

The brain controls all functions of the body, which is why it’s vital to actively maintain its health. Most people exercise their body to remain physically fit, but it’s equally important to exercise the brain to keep mentally fit. Research has shown that a combination of mental and physical exercises benefits the brain over the long term.

Regular exercise can help relieve stress, restore chemical balance, improve focus, and have a positive impact on overall productivity. With the help of physical exercises, you can keep problems like memory loss and degeneration at bay.

Mental Brain Exercise

Our brain gets plenty of mental exercise during childhood. Kids are always learning new things, experimenting, and experiencing new sensations. As we grow old, the level of stimulus starts to slow down until we fall into a rut. Adults are often switching between work, rest, and personal responsibilities; most of these tasks rarely stimulate the brain. This has a negative impact on the most vital organ in our body.

Here are some mental exercises that can help:

    •Learn a New Language – This is one of the best ways to exercise the brain. Learning a new language stimulates the mind and prompts the brain to develop new connections.
    •Switch Hands – Something as simple as switching hands on a task can exercise the brain. Brush your teeth, write, operate the mouse, and eat with your non-dominant hand to get the best exercise.
    •Read Books Out Loud – Reading books out loud is far different from reading them silently. We usually skim through entire sections, don’t focus on every single word, and speed-read through the pages. While just reading provides ample stimulus, reading out loud forces the brain to focus. This process also stimulates the areas of the brain that are responsible for reading, hearing, and speaking.
    •Take A Different Route – Predicable patterns are the brain’s worst enemy. The daily commute to the workplace is one such predictable, repetitive activity, which is why it’s a good idea to consider changing routes as well as modes of transportation regularly for additional stimulation.
    •Up The Difficulty – Our minds have become lazy in this world of Information Technology. We autocorrect spellings, use calculators for basic math, or don’t take them to memorize phone numbers. Taking the more difficult route will stimulate the brain and make it more active.
    •Socialize with New People – Meeting new people and interacting with them regularly provides considerable stimulus to your brain. You subconsciously take note of the person’s voice, appearance, style of speech and interaction, new information about their life and their personality. Your mind processes all of this information at a rapid pace, which exercises your brain.
    •Meditation – It should come as no surprise that meditation is a great workout for the brain. This exercise helps improve your ability to focus, compartmentalize information, and helps reduce stress. According to research, human beings think over 70,000 thoughts every day. It’s not easy to quiet the mind and just sink into a meditative state. This challenge helps exercise the brain.

These are just some of the most effective mental exercises that you can incorporate into your daily life for better mental health. But mental exercises aren’t always enough, so it’s a good idea to incorporate some physical exercises into your routine.

Physical Exercises That Influence the Brain

Physical exercise triggers the reward center of the brain, which releases feel-good compounds like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine into the brain. It increases overall brain activity levels so it forms new connections to handle the load. Better blood and oxygen circulation also helps.

Here are some exercises that are particularly useful:

    •Aerobics – According to research conducted by Harvard University, 120 minutes of aerobic exercise every week can help with physical and mental health. It can reduce anxiety levels, help you feel calmer and happier, and calm the nervous system.
    •Yoga – Yoga is one of the best all-around exercises for both physical and mental development. It slows down cellular aging, restores balance, improves focus, and reduces stress. Yoga goes hand in hand with meditation so the combination of both in your daily routine can have a big impact on mental health. It’s is suitable for people of all ages and physical abilities.
    •Walking – This is one of the easiest exercises and people of all ages can incorporate it into their routine. Walking outdoors is the best way to provide ample stimulus to your brain, especially if you’re walking in a green park or through woods. This exercise improves communication between different areas of the brain, eventually improving your multitasking ability.
    •Running – Running is similar to walking and is ideal for individuals with high energy levels. Our professionals at Silver State Neurology recommend for people who have difficulty focusing on tasks and become restless easily. Just 15 minutes of running will expel excess energy and focus the mind so you’re more productive. It is an instant mood booster so if you feel cooped up inside four walls, this exercise is ideal.
    •Resistance Exercise – We suggest weight exercises at least twice every week to help improve focus and productivity. Weight training has a lot of long-term benefits because it requires careful attention. Switching between different weight training exercises will provide great mental stimulus.

Conclusion

Regular brain exercising isn’t an alternative treatment for neurological conditions. If you experience problems like fatigue, lack of concentration, lack of comprehension, etc., despite regular exercises, you should consult a Las Vegas neurologist. Professionals understand how the mind works and will dig deep to determine the true cause of issues and provide suitable solutions.

Tips To Help You Sleep Better At Night

The modern lifestyle is busy and fast-paced. Most people struggle to keep up with their various professional or personal commitments and often sacrifice sleep to fulfill their obligations. This high-stress lifestyle coupled with uncertain sleep cycles can lead to serious health consequences. Experts encourage people to rest 6-8 hours a day to ensure their mind and body is in good shape. Unfortunately, people who struggle with sleep become trapped in a vicious cycle of high stress, anxiety, exhaustion, and the inability to get a full night’s rest. There are ways to help you sleep better at night and get an uninterrupted sleep, feel rested and rejuvenated. Better rest and a healthier lifestyle have a positive impact on productivity, physical health, and mental well-being. Here are some points to consider:

1. Disengage From Electronics

Most people with access to television, smartphones, tablets, or laptops inevitably use these devices while they’re getting ready for bed. Some catch up on social media, watch their favorite movies or series, or complete leftover work until sleep comes calling. Unfortunately, the blue light from these screens can keep you awake and hurt your sleep cycle.

Our professionals at Silver State Neurology recommend turning all sources of blue light off an hour before going to bed. You can spend this time just reflecting back on your day, speaking with loved ones, meditating, or lying in bed. Surveys and research suggest that people who disconnect from electronics have a much easier time falling asleep at night. They’re also more likely to have a complete, restful sleep cycle.

2. Limit the Naps

Naps are good for you as they give your brain some time to rest and refresh in the middle of a busy day. But excessive napping can mess with the sleep cycle and make it difficult to get full night’s sleep. Lengthy naps will compromise the quality of your night sleep.

It’s a good idea to limit daytime naps to around 30 to 60 minutes; 90 minutes is the longest nap you can take without compromising the quality of your nighttime sleep. Some experts believe 20 minutes is enough to reenergize the brain and help you focus. Despite your best intentions, if you are prone to napping excessively in the afternoon, skip it entirely and take a walk in green spaces to refresh your mind.

3. Choose a Good Sleep Posture

Most people don’t realize that sleep posture can have an impact on how well you sleep. The softness of the mattress, position of the pillows as well as the position of your body influence how well you sleep and how many times you wake up in the night. Choose comfortable pillows and a good-quality mattress for your bed. This might be expensive, but investing in good sleep has long-term benefits.

If you have a tendency to sleep on your back, make sure the pillow supports your neck and the dip of your spine on the lower back. If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between the knees and align the hips properly to reduce stiffness or a backache. Try not to sleep on your stomach because your neck and spine aren’t in neutral positions, which can cause strain.

4. Wind Down Before Sleep

Sleep will come faster and will be more restful if you wind down before going to bed. Activities before bedtime have a big influence over the quality of sleep so it’s a good idea to monitor what you do. Experts recommend the following tips:

•Don’t exercise just a couple of hours before going to bed.
•Don’t eat heavy meals a couple of hours before sleeping.
•Take a warm, relaxing shower.
•Walk leisurely in the backyard or around the local park.
•Read a book and listen to relaxing music.
•Don’t drink fluids, especially caffeine, one to two hours before sleeping.
•Don’t get into arguments or heated conversations before you sleep.

These factors will help you wind down, especially after a stressful day. If you establish this routine, your mind and body will be in a better state. Winding down at the end of the day also helps release pent-up stress.

5. Set Room Temperature to Comfortable Levels

If the room temperature is too high or too low, it can disturb your sleep. Studies suggest that room temperature has a greater impact on quality and consistency of sleep than external noise. A higher body and room temperature will diminish the quality of sleep so it’s important to keep the room comfortably cool.

Most people find 68°F to 70°F to be most comfortable. This depends on what kind of temperatures you’re accustomed to. Individuals living in warmer regions are more equipped to deal with heat and can handle higher temperatures better.

6. Train Your Body

It is possible to train your body to a natural circadian rhythm; all you need to do is be consistent. As far as possible, ensure you sleep at a specific time and wake up at a specific time every day. Eventually, your body will recognize the pattern and fall into it naturally. People who train their body, don’t need alarm clocks to wake up on time. For example, you can sleep at 10.30 every night then wake up between 5.30 and 6.00 every morning. This routine gives you a sufficient amount of sleep and ample time during the day to get work done.

It’s a good idea to stick with the sleep routine even on the weekends unless you’re heading out and need to stay up late. People who are consistent in their sleeping patterns have an easier time falling asleep and feel better rested too. Proper diet and regular exercise also contribute towards sleep quality. People who exercise regularly and have balanced meals sleep better.

If the tips above don’t help and you’re still struggling with sleep, it might be time to visit your Las Vegas neurologist. They will consider all of your health concerns carefully to determine the root cause of poor sleep. A neurologist will address the underlying problem, provide medical treatment and recommend lifestyle changes.