Having a poor memory is one of the first warning signs your brain may be in trouble, especially if it’s worse than it was 10 years ago. Many people think that having memory problems in their 50’s and 60’s is normal. But, it’s not. It is a sign your brain is struggling.
Do you have a family member who has Alzheimer’s?
Have you been diagnosed with ADD?
Have you been diagnosed with depression?
Have you ever suffered a head injury?
Have you ever suffered a stroke?
Do you have a personal history of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer?
Do you exercise less than twice a week?
Do you NOT engage in regular learning?
If you answered yes to any combination of these, you may be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
The statistics on Alzheimer’s are truly alarming:
• There are 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease.
• One in eight older Americans has Alzheimer’s disease.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented or cured.
Do you want to live until you are 85 or beyond?
Did you know that 50% of people 85 years old will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease … and with the Baby Boomers aging, Alzheimer’s is expected to triple in the coming decade? And there is no cure for it on the horizon.
Researchers believe that Alzheimer’s disease actually starts in the brain 30-50 YEARS before people display any symptoms. Can you see the problem here? You have NO symptoms at all, but your brain is already starting to deteriorate, decades before you have any signs of trouble.
For the person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at age 59, he or she likely started to have trouble in the brain by the age of 30. The person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in his early 70s, likely already had brain changes in his 40s.
Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented?
Yes, more than half of the cases of Alzheimer’s disease, and the other causes of dementia, CAN be prevented.
Steps to Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease:
• With current prevention strategies you can delay onset of Alzheimer’s by 6 years or more.
• Know and reduce your risk.
• Keep your body and brain active.
• Take antioxidants and increase them in your diet.
• Decrease beta amyloid.
Beta amyloid is thought to be one of the major mechanisms for causing Alzheimer’s. Think of beta amyloid as a sticky, gooey gum-like substance that gets dropped into electric nerve cells fields, causing short circuits. Too many short circuits and you will have serious problems thinking and remembering.
How We Can Help
Keeping your brain healthy with age requires forethought, a well-researched scientific plan, and a good prefrontal cortex so that you will follow through on the plan.
If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the symptoms of memory problems, dementia, or Alzheimer’s, The Amen Clinics Method of integrative psychiatric care can help. Using innovative and personalized care, our outcomes consistently demonstrate improvement for patients – including many who have tried and failed prior treatment.
Our Memory Rescue Program includes an analysis of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT imaging scans (at rest and at concentration), cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options. Amen Clinics has locations nationally to serve you. We invite you to call today, (888) 288-9834 or visit us online.
A study at UC Davis has found uncontrolled high blood pressure damages the brain’s structure and function as early as young middle-age. Even the brains of middle-aged people who clinically would not be considered to have hypertension have evidence of silent structural brain damage.
What Research Says
The investigation found accelerated brain aging among hypertensive and pre-hypertensive individuals in their 40s, including damage to the structural integrity of the brain’s white matter and the volume of its gray matter, suggesting that vascular brain injury “develops gradually over the lifetime with discernible effects.”
The study is the first to demonstrate that there is structural damage to the brains of adults in young middle age because of high blood pressure. Structural damage to the brain’s white matter caused by high blood pressure previously has been associated with cognitive decline in older individuals.
Normal vs. Abnormal
Normal blood pressure is considered a systolic blood pressure — the top number — below 120 and a diastolic pressure — the bottom number — below 80. Pre-hypertensive blood pressure range is a top number between 120 and 139 and a bottom number between 80 and 89. Blood pressures above 140 over 90 are considered high.
Elevated blood pressure affects approximately 50 million Americans and is associated with a 62 percent risk of cerebrovascular disease, such as ischemic stroke, and a 49 percent risk of cardiovascular disease. It is the single-greatest risk factor for mortality in the United States. Earlier studies have identified associations between elevated blood pressure and a heightened risk of brain injury and atrophy leading to reduced cognitive performance and a greater likelihood of dementia, making hypertension an important, modifiable risk factor for late-life cognitive decline.
The Outcome
There is evidence, the study says, that lowering blood pressure among people in middle age and in the young elderly can help prevent late-life cognitive decline and dementia.
Get Your Blood Pressure Under Control
There are many ways you can get your blood under control without the use of medication:
1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline.
Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. Losing just 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) can help reduce your blood pressure. In general, the more weight you lose, the lower your blood pressure.
2. Exercise regularly.
Regular physical activity — at least 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week — can lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). And it doesn’t take long to see a difference. If you haven’t been active, increasing your exercise level can lower your blood pressure within just a few weeks.
3. Eat a healthy diet.
Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins and skimps on saturated fat and cholesterol can lower your blood pressure by up to 14 mm Hg.
4. Reduce sodium in your diet.
Even a small reduction in the sodium in your diet can reduce blood pressure by 2 to 8 mm Hg. Try to limit sodium to 2,300 milligrams (mg) a day or less. To decrease sodium in your diet, trying keeping a food journal, reading food labels, eating fewer processed foods like potato chips and frozen dinners, and lastly, just don’t add salt. Use herbs or spices, rather than salt, to add more flavor to your foods.
5. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
There’s more potential harm than benefit to drinking alcohol. If you drink more than moderate amounts of it, alcohol can actually raise blood pressure by several points and it can also reduce the effectiveness of high blood pressure medications.
6. Avoid tobacco products and secondhand smoke.
On top of all the other dangers of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure by 10 mm Hg or more for up to an hour after you smoke. Smoking throughout the day means your blood pressure may remain constantly high.
7. Cut back on caffeine.
Drinking caffeinated beverages can temporarily cause a spike in your blood pressure. Too much caffeine restricts blood flow to the brain, dehydrates the brain, body and skin, and fools the brain into thinking it does not need to sleep.
8. Reduce your stress.
Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. Take some time to think about what causes you to feel stressed, such as work, family, finances or illness. Once you know what’s causing your stress, consider how you can eliminate or reduce stress. Try taking breaks for deep-breathing exercises. Get a massage or take up yoga or meditation.
We Can Help
You CAN change your brain, and change your life. At Amen Clinics, we want to help you. Call us today at 888-288-9834 or visit here to schedule an appointment.
Do you often feel stirred up, worried, or nervous? Do you feel uncomfortable in your own skin?
Have you ever experienced a feeling like you could “climb the walls” or that you are “crawling out of your skin”? Are you plagued by feelings of panic, fear, and self-doubt?
Do you ever experience any of the following physical symptoms that can be consistently disruptive or come in unexpected waves?
• Muscle tension
• Muscle soreness
• Nail biting
• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
If you answered yes to any combination of these, you might be suffering from a psychiatric disorder that affects over 38 million Americans every year.
The Anxiety Epidemic
Anxiety is a major public health problem that is reaching epidemic levels in the United States. The loss to our society from these illnesses is staggering in terms of individual pain, family strife, school and relationship failure, lost work productivity, and death.
Anxiety is a Brain Illness
Our work and the research of many others has demonstrated that anxiety is a brain illness, not the result of a weak will or character problem. In addition to the common symptoms listed in the questions above, anxiety can cause irrational fears or phobias that become a burden. People with “pure anxiety” tend to avoid anything that makes them anxious or uncomfortable, such as places or people that might trigger panic attacks or interpersonal conflict. People with this type tend to predict the worst and look to the future with fear. They may be excessively shy or startle easily, or they may freeze in emotionally charged situations.
Having “untreated” anxiety affects nearly every aspect of a person’s life and has been associated with school underachievement, family conflict, drug abuse, legal difficulties, and poor work performance.
Treatment for Anxiety
The standard treatment for anxiety is anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax. This medication may be helpful for many people, but it can also make many others much worse. Sometimes negative reactions to these types of medications can be extreme, such as hallucinations, violent outbursts, volatile temperaments, psychosis, and suicidal behavior.
Anxiety & SPECT
Shortly after Dr. Daniel Amen began brain SPECT imaging work in 1991, he realized that anxiety is not just a single or simple disorder. Just as there are many different causes of chest pain, there were different brain SPECT patterns in his anxious patients. Dr. Amen has identified seven different types of anxiety and knowing your type is essential to getting the right help.
How We Can Help
Amen Clinics has pioneered the use of brain SPECT imaging in clinical practice and research shows its use significantly impacts the accuracy of diagnosis and the ability to target effective treatments. SPECT imaging helps personalize treatments specific to what your brain needs, and, when used in combination with our full evaluation and clinical assessment, has demonstrated very high success rates.
At Amen Clinics, we are dedicated to improving the lives of every patient and family we serve through education, the latest advances in neuroimaging, laboratory testing, and individualized treatment plans. We use the least toxic, most effective treatments for our patients, and use a wide variety of interventions from natural supplements, medications, dietary interventions and targeted forms of psychotherapy.
Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT imaging scans (at rest and at concentration), cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options. We invite you to call today, 888-288-9834 or visit us online. Do you ever “zone out” during conversations or find it difficult to pay attention for long periods of time? Are you easily distracted when trying to focus on the task at hand? Is your work station or home cluttered and it seems like you can never find what you are looking for? Do you feel restless and find it difficult to calm down?
If you answered yes to any combination of these, you might be suffering from one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and adults.
What is Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)?
Attention deficit disorder (ADD), often referred to as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), is the most common psychiatric disorder affecting between 5-10% of the population. ADD is characterized by persistent short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination and often problems with hyperactivity or restlessness, forethought, judgment and impulse control.
Having untreated ADD affects nearly every aspect of a person’s life and has been associated with school underachievement, family conflict, drug abuse, legal difficulties and poor work performance. ADD is involved with low self-esteem, chronic stress, failure, and even suicide.
Treatment for ADD
The standard treatment for ADD in both children and adults is stimulant medications, such as Ritalin or Adderall. These medications are helpful for many people, but they also make many others with typical ADD worse. Sometimes negative reactions to these medications can be extreme, such as hallucinations, violent outbursts, volatile temperaments, psychosis and suicidal behavior.
At Amen Clinics, our diagnosis and treatment of ADD/ADHD focuses on the premise that ADD was not a single or simple disorder. Just as there are many different causes of many conditions, there are different brain SPECT patterns in ADD patients.
How We Can Help
At Amen Clinics, we are dedicated to improving the lives of every patient and family we serve through education, the latest advances in neuroimaging, laboratory testing, and individualized treatment plans. We use the least toxic, most effective treatments for our patients, and use a wide variety of interventions from natural supplements, medications, dietary interventions and targeted forms of psychotherapy.
SPECT Imaging
As part of our evaluation process we use brain SPECT imaging, in addition to clinical interviews, diagnostic checklists and laboratory studies when appropriate.
If you or a loved one is suffering from any of the symptoms of ADD/ADHD, The Amen Clinics Method of integrative psychiatric care can help. Using innovative and personalized care, our outcomes consistently demonstrate improvement for patients – including many who have tried and failed prior treatment.
Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT imaging scans (at rest and at concentration), cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs. We invite you to call today, 888-288-9834 or tell us more online.
You don’t have to be a heavy drinker to hurt your brain. Even moderate amounts of alcohol can affect brain function. A Rutgers University study indicates there is a fine line between moderate and binge drinking, a risky behavior that can decrease the making of adult brain cells by as much as 40 percent.
What Research Says
In a study published in the journal Neuroscience, lead author Megan Anderson, a graduate student working with Tracey J. Shors, Professor II in Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience in the Department of Psychology, reported that moderate to binge drinking (drinking less during the week and more on the weekends) significantly reduces the structural integrity of the adult brain.
Moderate Drinking vs. Binge Drinking
“Moderate drinking can become binge drinking without the person realizing it,” said Anderson. “In the short term there may not be any noticeable motor skills or overall functioning problems, but in the long term this type of behavior could have an adverse effect on learning and memory.”
Shors and Anderson worked with postdoctoral fellow Miriam Nokia from the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland to model moderate to heavy drinking in humans using rodents that reached a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent — the legal driving limit in the United States and many other countries — and found that brain cell production was affected negatively.
The researchers discovered that at this level of intoxication in rats — comparable to about 3-4 drinks for women and five drinks for men — the number of nerve cells in the hippocampus of the brain were reduced by nearly 40 percent compared to those in the abstinent group of rodents. The hippocampus is a part of the brain where the new neurons are made and is also known to be necessary for some types of new learning.
This level of alcohol intake was not enough to impair the motor skills of either male or female rats or prevent them from associative learning in the short-term. Still, Anderson said, this substantial decrease in brain cell numbers over time could have profound effects on the structural plasticity of the adult brain because these new cells communicate with other neurons to regulate brain health.
Does Alcohol Affect The Brain?
“If this area of your brain was affected every day over many months and years, eventually you might not be able to learn how to get somewhere new or to learn something new about your life,” said Anderson, a graduate fellow in the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology. “It’s something that you might not even be aware is occurring.”
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, men who drink 14 drinks a week and women who drink seven are considered at-risk drinkers. Although college students commonly binge drink, according to the institute, 70 percent of binge drinking episodes involved adults age 26 and older.
What Alcohol Does To Your Body
Many people reach for a glass of wine or alcohol when they are stressed, but research shows that in many people, drinking actually induces stress and elevates stress hormone levels. To compound the problem alcohol also lowers overall blood flow and activity in the brain which diminishes your ability to cope with stress.
Drinking large amounts raises your risk of dementia and studies show that people who drink every day have physically smaller brains than nondrinkers.
The problems with alcohol aren’t just happening on the inside of your body. Alcohol dehydrates the body, sapping moisture from your skin and increasing wrinkles. It also dilates the blood vessels and capillaries in your skin. Alcohol depletes Vitamin A, an important antioxidant involved in skin-cell regeneration. Alcohol abuse damages the liver and reduces its ability to remove toxins from the body, resulting in increased toxins in the body and skin that make you look older than you really are.
We Can Help
Our Full Evaluation of your biological/psychological/social/spiritual history, coupled with two brain SPECT imaging scans (at rest and at concentration), cognitive testing, and clinical assessment is designed to address your unique needs and offer targeted treatment options. We invite you to call today, 888-288-9834 or tell us more online.
