"This blog was developed to provide medical updates that are important and have my perspective as additional insight."
The latest research shows that our memory starts to demonstrably decline after age 40….far younger than any had expected. But generally, we do not notice this decline until our 50’s and 60’s and then, for most of us, this is a matter of simple word-finding or problems with proper names. Often, patients will ask me …
I am envisioning a day when my older patients with significant neurologic issues (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Dementias and Memory Decline of various types) will return to class to improve their brains and physical constitution. They’ll go back to school….and they’ll like it! This school would be called DDA …..Dr. Doug’s Academy (I’m riffing on an idea …
Sleep is a hot topic these days, as researchers and finding out how important it is for our general health, particularly in a world that is going 24-hours and driven by computer/social networking that is never-ending. Despite this 24 hour cycle, we are meant to sleep a large portion of our day, even if we …
Memory concerns are common as we age, and I talk to several people every day about what they can do to improve their memory. The list is simple: 1. Exercise regularly. It turns out that exercise is the single most important method for improving memory. Increased blood flow provides improved cerebral circulation and stimulation. …
This weekend’s Wall Street Journal had an article about various aspects of short-term memory, with a focus on a twist in memory that I had not heard of previously. What we see and notice has a lot to do with our ability to recall, and you may recall (or you may not!) my previous lecture …
Well….my title for this piece is not quite accurate, but it rhymes! I’m talking about the famous patient from the past, Phineas Gage. His story if one of the ‘classics’ of neurology, as he had a severe injury from an explosion that damaged his brain, and he lived to tell about it. Although never formally …
As most of you know, I am not a huge proponent of vitamins, based on concerns about the potential negatives they can cause, as well as the lack of evidence for their general effectiveness. That said, there are situations in which vitamins can be considered and here is a list of my current recommendations, with …
Read More “MY VITAMIN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SPECIFIC CONDITIONS”
Could it be that we have it all wrong about our ‘slower’ brains as we age. These German researchers suggest so, explaining that older brains take longer to process information because they have so much information stored from past experience, that it takes more time to sift through this data. Take heart…as we age….we all …
Read More ““Interesting if true, if not… interesting anyway” –Mark Twain”
I hear from patients that they have concerns that statins (cholesterol lowering medication like Lipitor, Zocor, etc…) can cause memory loss and that they have read this in the paper. This question has been raised at times and the information is mixed. On one hand, as a strong medication to prevent stroke, it is thought …
What is CRS? Well…it’s not a scientific term….it stands for “CAN’T REMEMBER SQUAT” …and is shorthand for the memory issues that develop as we get older. Memory issues develop as young as 40 years-old, with the latest research showing that the 40+ brain is in decline as regards memory, and this is 10-20 years earlier …
When I was a kid I used to read a series of books called the Destroyer. In it, a super-spy, Remo Williams, would use ancient martial arts to protect the United States as part of a secret organization called CURE. Sure….sounds like something a kid would enjoy, but I was remembering one of the names …
Steve Jacobs and his wife Marie are volunteers at our office. You may see them from time-to-time working in the file area. They are a wonderful addition to the staff. As well, Steve publishes a monthly newsletter that is lots of fun and filled with interesting facts. Take a look at it now, for a …
A recent study of the dietary habits of 16,000 patients, published in the Annals of Neurology, showed that consumption of berries (blueberries and strawberries) was associated with a reduced change of developing memory loss. Either one serving of blueberries or two servings of strawberries provided the benefit. It is thought that the flavinoid chemicals in …