Cognitive decline

What is Cognitive Decline?

Cognitive decline refers to a gradual worsening of mental functions like memory, reasoning, attention, language, etc. It is a part of the normal aging process, but can also signal medical conditions like dementia.

As we grow older, changes occur in the brain leading to some cognitive decline. The brain shrinks in volume, nerve cells and connections between them are lost. Chemical messengers like dopamine and acetylcholine also reduce. These brain changes manifest as difficulty remembering recent events, taking longer to learn new things, trouble multitasking, etc.

However, age-related cognitive decline is subtle and gradual. Major disabling problems with memory, thinking and behavior are not a normal part of aging. When the decline is faster than expected or starts affecting daily life, it could indicate early dementia.

What Increases the Risk of Faster Cognitive Decline?

• Unhealthy lifestyles - smoking, excessive alcohol, drug abuse, poor diet, lack of exercise


• Medical problems - high BP, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity


• Low education level


• Social isolation and lack of mental stimulation


• Genetic factors

Early screening and detection of abnormal decline can help identify reversible causes like medication side effects, thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, and depression.

Can We Prevent or Delay Age-Related Cognitive Decline?

While we can't totally prevent cognitive decline, leading a brain-healthy lifestyle can delay onset by up to 5 years. Recommendations include:

• Regular physical, mental and social activity


• Learning new skills to stimulate the brain


• Managing health factors like BP, blood sugar, cholesterol


• Not smoking and limiting alcohol


• Balanced nutritious diet with omega-3s and antioxidants


• Quality sleep and stress management

"Don't wait for your brain health to decline before taking action. Schedule an appointment with us today to halt cognitive aging and retain optimal brain function for years to come!"