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What Can Sleeping Do For You?
It can be easy to underestimate the importance of sleeping in your life....
5 Ways to Keep Your Brain Happy and Healthy
As we get older, the realization that our brains are getting older too can...
Is Alzheimer’s Preventable?
Despite ongoing research, currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s...
Popular Posts All Time
Habits for a Healthier Brain
As we age, it is human nature to wonder whether or not there is anything we can do to slow down the aging process. Many baby boomers are applying this question to enhance not only their physical appearance, but their cognitive function and brain health as well. We’ve all experienced moments of forgetfulness. Misplacing an important item, forgetting a name or getting our calendar date mixed up can lead us to wonder: is this part of getting old? Countless jokes are made at the expense of the old timer’s slow cognitive function and ability to remember yesterday. Are we doomed to live out the harsh truth at the center of these jokes or is there something that can be done about the aging brain? In a recent study carried out by Neurology Magazine, a group of researchers in China randomly selected 9 communities. Out of these communities 5,000 people that were over 55 years or older were interviewed concerning age, sex, occupation, medical conditions, medications, smoking, drinking, education and leisure activities. The group was tracked for 5 years and given the same tests each year. In the final analysis 11% had a drop in their cognitive abilities. Those 11%...
Sleep Positions and Your Brain
Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for survival. Good, consistent sleep keeps your immune system functioning properly, reduces the risk of disease, and keeps your brain sharp. Think about all the nights when you lost a few hours of sleep. Your brain was deprived of valuable sleep and it was obvious as you struggled to think clearly and do other things such as driving, working, or even walking. Not only is a solid 7 to 8 hours of sleep one of the best things you can do for your brain, but the way you sleep can also affect your brain health. Positioning for Good Sleep A majority of sleepers have a “tried and true” sleeping position. Whether you sleep on your back, stomach, or side, it’s likely you have slept in that position your whole life. Sleep experts recommend side sleeping for better posture and less back pain, but recent research suggests that side sleeping also benefits your brain. When we sleep, our brain clears its glymphatic pathway of toxins more efficiently than during the waking hours. Scientists found that mice, who slept on their sides (a natural sleeping position for humans and animals), had better functioning...
When Exercise Becomes an Addiction
Addiction is an awful disease that needs to be monitored throughout a person’s lifetime, even when they’re seemingly in control of it. Some of us might have been personally affected by addiction issues related to alcohol, illicit and prescription drugs or gambling, or have had to step in to help a loved one who might be fighting an addiction. For some of us, the problem is limited to what we read in the newspapers or online, with supermarket tabloids, in particular, obsessed with celebrities and their issues with addiction. The reporting seems to take on a sympathetic stance, but borders on voyeuristic glee over something that really is a private problem, whether it’s the usual suspects such as Charlie Sheen or Lindsay Lohan, or even the squeaky clean star Zac Efron who quietly entered a rehab facility in early 2013 to fight certain problems with drugs and alcohol. Not all addictions seem to be unhealthy, and when someone exercises frequently and vigorously, isn’t it a good thing? It’s possible to go too far, and in certain cases, develop an addiction to sport and exercising. Body Image When someone’s view of their own body takes a dangerous turn, we often...
Basic Neurology 101
The Nerve Center The central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system make up the signaling conduits of the body. Neurotransmitters are sent from the brain to reach different organs of the body. The central nervous system operates through the spinal cord while the peripheral nervous system goes directly from the brain to the different parts of the body. When the central nervous system is impacted, it leads to conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. Neurological disorders can include: Loss of coordination Seizures Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Autism Alzheimer’s disease Obsessive compulsive disorder Causes of Neurological Conditions Poor coordination is related to the brain. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls movement. Seizures are also related to excessive activation and functionality of the nerve cells. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neuro-developmental psychiatric disorder whose causes are still not clear. Autism is related to the way that the nerve cells transmit information to each other. Its cause is also not yet fully clear, with a few theories being proposed involving environmental factors. Alzheimer’s disease occurs when the structure of the neurons is impacted by age leading to impact in functionality. Parkinson’s disease is also caused by neuro-degeneration....
Domestic Abuse and Repeat Offenders
Domestic abuse is a thread of violence that is very often misunderstood. Abuse victims face many challenges when attempting to leave an abusive relationship. This is often-time overlooked by family members, social workers, law enforcement, and other support and advocacy systems. The role that domestic abuse plays on incarcerated, or newly-released domestic abuse victims, is just one of the many crucial aspects that we must understand in order to better serve the needs of this particular demographic. Repeat Offenders and Assistance First off, it is important to note the relationship between domestic abuse and incarceration. The vast majority of domestic abuse victims did time for crimes related to property, drugs, and prostitution. Upon being released, they may be on probation or parole, making them vulnerable to their abuser’s threats to comply to his demands or be sent back to prison. Even so, many shelters and prosecutor’s offices may deny them protective order assistance. This type of assistance can be crucial in determining the likelihood that they will become repeat offenders. It can also help lower the level of intimidation abuse victims with a past criminal record may likely feel when being back in a courtroom again. A Vicious...