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4A Daily News – Tuesday, March 6, 2012 Vitality & health (MCT) — Dementia and its evil twin, Alzheimer's, may have moved ahead of cancer on the list of most feared dis- eases, especially among baby boomers, who have begun to believe it is their inescapable fate if they have the bad luck to live too long. So we grasp at any news about aging, hoping that medical science has indeed found a way to preserve that most essen- tial part of who we are — our memories. Do we protect our minds by doing The New York Times crossword puzzle or by doing aero- bics? By eating more leafy greens, absorbing more vitamin D from sunshine or memorizing poetry? "There is such a thing as normal memory change with age," said Dr. Susan Lehmann, who specializes in geriatric psychiatry at Johns Hop- kins Hospital, "just as there are normal changes in vision." Our brain will not always work as fast, for example, and we won't be as good at multi- tasking. But these are all considered normal changes, according to Lehmann. Some of our memory will not change. Our knowledge of the world, our autobiography, cer- tain skills, such as play- ing an instrument. And we won't forget how to read. "But it will be harder to recall specific events, harder to make new mem- ories and remember new things," said Lehmann. "These can be annoying and they can be embar- rassing, but they don't herald dementia or mean proved that exercise can prevent dementia. But there have been studies in which women who reported the highest lev- els of physical activity also had the slowest cog- nitive decline, she said. "And there have been a number of studies that show that people who are more physically active have an increased sense of well-being in general. There may be a direct benefit to the brain as well." The most puzzling risk that you will have more memory problems." It is true that we will see more dementia and more Alzheimer's disease in the near future, but that has more to do with the fact that we are on the cusp of a huge demo- graphic shift. Boomers are a large group, they are getting older at the same time, and they are living longer. "The expectation is that 45 percent of those will have some form of dementia by age 85 or 90," said Lehmann. "But that is not 100 percent." True, there is no cure for Alzheimer's and no treatment to significantly modify the terrible course it takes. "But there is a lot of emerging research that suggests that there are things we can do as early as midlife that may have a positive impact on brain function," she said. Research has found a correlation — but not a cause and effect — between seven risk factors and their implications for the brain. Not surprising- ly, Lehmann said, they are also risk factors that have implications for the heart: Diabetes, high blood pres- sure, obesity and smok- ing. "A healthy heart also promotes a healthy brain," Lehmann said. The other risk factors include cognitive inactiv- ity and physical inactivi- ty. This is where the crossword puzzles and the daily exercise come in. "No study has proven that cognitive activity prevents dementia or that lack of cognitive activity causes it," said Lehmann. "But it is possible to improve and strengthen memory at every age. It is possible to get better at it with focused approach- es." It is also true, she said, that the more you use your brain, the more con- nections you lay down inside the brain, the more brainpower you have and the longer it takes to erode. Likewise, no study has James W. Tysinger, Jr. M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon Fellow American Academy of Ophthalmology We accept Medical, Medicare & most Insurances Office Hours: Tues-Wed-Thurs 8am-4:30pm Mon & Fri 1pm-4:30pm For Emergencies, After Hours, Week-ends, Call 530-567-5001 345 Hickory St. Red Bluff Tel: (530) 529-4733 Fax: (530) 529-1114 factor in dementia is depression, and it is of particular concern to women, who are twice as likely to suffer from depression across all ages. "When someone is depressed," Lehmann said, "it slows down their ability to think and process and remember. But sometimes, depres- sion can be a first symp- tom of dementia. It is a complicated relationship. "Treating depression improves memory, the ability to concentrate, organize, problem-solve and all of that. Untreated depression can be a risk factor for future demen- tia. In any case, depres- sion needs to be taken seriously." And finally, sleep, which becomes more elu- sive as we age, may have a role in all of this. "Sleep often gets short shrift," said Lehmann. "Sleep is important for the consolidation of memory and fatigue degrades the ability to remember." The message might be that there will be changes in memory as we age that are as normal and stable over time as the changes in our eyeglass prescrip- tions. Those changes don't mean that you are condemned to forget who you are or who you love. "This should be excit- ing and reassuring," Lehmann said. 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When she first went to the doctor, Hunn's COPD, asthma and emphyse- ma condition did not allow Hunn her lungs to get enough air. Her physician advised her to start oxygen treat- ment to increase lung capacity. Though willing to fol- low doctor's orders, Hunn did not wish to use oxygen treatment if it was at all possible to avoid it. So she asked if it would be safe for her to wait a couple of months and attempt to increase her lung capacity naturally. He agreed and set a follow up appoint- ment. Hunn recommitted her- self to healthy eating and a consistent exercise pro- gram at the Fountain of Health, a local fitness club. The day of her follow up visit arrived. You can imag- ine how ecstatic she was to find out her air intake went from 85 up to 97 and her out- put went from 87 up to 99, well within the safety zone. No oxygen treatment was needed. Hunn said she couldn't wait to tell Patty Fountain and Lisa Johnson, co- owners of Fountain of Health. The all women's gym opened in 2009 and offers hydraulic circuit training, kettle bells, Zumba, Pilates and yoga classes. Fountain is a certified nutrition mentor. The busi- ness is at 1415 Solano St. in Corning. For more information, call 689-0222. M s s a e r n c d h a M