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From Autism Diagnosis at 20 to PhD: Dr. Chai Jing Yun Shatters Barriers

Unknown autism, healthcare and medicine, medical conditions and diseases, mental health, technology

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 What does it say about barriers when someone with autism can achieve so much? Get acquainted with Dr Chai Jing Yun—an individual with a PhD demonstrating that being neurodivergent doesn’t hinder academic or professional accomplishments.


 At the age of 20, Chai received an autism diagnosis, which came quite late compared to many others in the ASD community. Since then, she has continually surpassed expectations. In sharing her story, she delves into everything from the factors that prompted her to get diagnosed to the ways she manages her daily life and professional path with increased self-understanding.


 Research indicates that numerous individuals remain undiscovered when living with autism, frequently compromising both their physical and psychological health as a result. Chai almost became one of these cases; however, thankfully, a school counselor who identified the underlying problem directed her towards a psychiatrist.


 Following several evaluations, she was first thought to have Asperger’s syndrome—an term previously common in the ASD community but which has since been phased out. Ultimately, she obtained an official autism diagnosis.


 Yet, acceptance did not come easily. For more than two years, she grappled with denial, finding it hard to completely accept her neurodiversity. It was only after connecting with other autistic people and seeing herself mirrored in their experiences that she ultimately came to terms with her condition.


 Today at age 33, Chai is flourishing—not in denial anymore, but completely aware of her true requirements as an autistic individual instead of adhering to typical neurological standards. Her journey underscores how numerous individuals labeled with mental health issues grapple with acceptance. Yet, understanding plays a crucial role—the insight into one’s state can mark the shift towards embracing oneself, obtaining appropriate assistance, and charting a course ahead.


 One hurdle she encountered during her autism diagnostic period was disclosing the outcome to those around her. She mentioned that it took more than half a decade before she could publicly reveal her diagnosis and subsequently embarked on her path of self-advocacy soon thereafter.


 Chai mentioned that he only shared his diagnosis under essential circumstances, like when requesting university accommodations.


 She highlighted the significance of comprehending the condition affecting an individual, particularly autism, as it "has helped me gain a deeper understanding of myself—including my strengths, challenges, and methods to manage or seek assistance when needed," she stated.


 “I’ve also grown more receptive to embracing things beyond my control,” she noted, implying that, being autistic, not all aspects of life can be managed, unlike others who might rely on treatments like medications for issues such as anxiety.


 Regarding the adverse effects of delayed diagnosis, she mentioned that an earlier detection could have spared someone from enduring hardships during their childhood because of inadequate support for their behavior. In Chai’s case, she experienced selective mutism as a child.


 Reflecting on the past, I wish there had been an earlier diagnosis. During my upbringing, I endured significant suffering, largely because of childhood trauma and the absence of support for my selective mutism,” she stated explicitly.


 Nevertheless, she pointed out that autism was poorly comprehended in the past, and suitable interventions were lacking compared to today’s standards, which made it difficult for parents or educators to completely understand the consequences of neglecting these measures for individuals with autism.


 Chai mentioned, "I doubt that any parents or educators back then truly understood the overwhelming sensory pressure faced by a young girl of seven in a big primary school. This was particularly true for a child who struggled to articulate her fears and traumas due to her own bewilderment and confusion."


 She recommended timely evaluation for individuals facing challenges in their lives due to their behavior.


 "If you feel like things aren’t entirely right, I'd suggest considering getting a diagnosis as it might bring some clarity and help point you in the right direction, leading you to the appropriate individuals and support systems," she stated.


 Nevertheless, Chai recognizes that not everyone might be prepared for a diagnosis—as she herself faced challenges with her own diagnosis—and in certain situations, "it's possible that not everybody truly requires one."


 She mentioned that she has encountered grown-ups who were diagnosed but did not consider it very beneficial. In truth, assistance for autism continues to be disjointed and insufficiently funded, causing numerous individuals within the community to lack proper resources. Economic limitations along with restricted access to experts imply that certain persons can't bear the cost of either getting diagnosed or obtaining the required support afterward.


 When queried about whether obtaining an autism diagnosis has become simpler nowadays, she acknowledged that substantial obstacles still persist. She also highlighted that numerous other issues like anxiety, depression, and personality disorders frequently get overlooked too.


 Several significant hurdles to early detection were pointed out by Chai, encompassing insufficient knowledge, biased diagnoses, restricted access, substantial expenses, and the ongoing stigmatization related to mental well-being and neurological diversity. She stressed that these elements persistently obstruct numerous people from obtaining the acknowledgment and assistance they require.


 She explained that autism doesn’t usually manifest in adulthood; instead, it’s a lifelong neurological disorder present from early development.


 She mentioned that some individuals might only identify their autistic characteristics during adulthood, resulting in diagnoses later in life. Prior to receiving these diagnoses, they often conceal or modify their behavior to align with societal norms.


 After adapting to the initial diagnosis, she mentioned that the type of assistance that proved helpful originated from healthcare providers, psychiatrists, and therapists; however, some of these professionals had limited familiarity with adult autism.


 "Their eagerness to learn and adjust their methods significantly impacted my journey. They were the ones who supported me during my darkest times when I felt utterly defeated," she mentioned.


 She mentioned that she was lucky enough to receive organized support throughout her college days. This isn’t available to everybody, highlighting the significance of wider social recognition of autism along with enhanced professional training.


 When diagnosed, she mentioned that she gained insight into her requirements and restrictions, teaching her to establish limits, particularly in social settings where she could be exposed to intense sensory input.


 She mentioned that previously, she often found social gatherings or specific situations involving noises, visuals, and groups challenging. However, grasping her situation helps her organize things better and manage her energy levels, a lesson she continues to refine.


 “I also employ practical tools such as earplugs to assist with managing sensory overload, and I drive my vehicle so that I always have a secure space where I can withdraw if everything becomes too intense. These methods help me feel more empowered and reduce stress in my everyday routine,” she mentioned.


 
 MAKING FRIENDS
 


 Chai mentioned that linking up with individuals who have a similar condition has provided her with an "unspeakable comprehension."


 Ideally,we avoid obligatory casual conversations; instead, wewhichcommunicate openly with one another. Mutual respect for everyone’s sensory requirements is fundamental here. There are alsochat groupsthatserve as platformsfor sharing personal instances—moments whenIcryoverthingsothersmightfindinsignificant—and discovering shared feelings free from criticism.


 "She mentioned that they also connect through common interests like Legos, stuffed animals, and Disney. Nonetheless, not every autistic individual may find the same level of connection since everyone’s experiences, requirements, and likes can vary," she explained.


 Compared to explaining things to someone who is neurotypical, it can occasionally be tougher for me when talking with neurotypical friends. Misunderstandings frequently occur, requiring extra effort from my side to close this communication divide.


 “But when individuals without neurological differences are open to listening and learning, the bond can be equally powerful,” she said.


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 ADDRESSING STIGMAS
 


 Chai mentioned that autistic individuals frequently face the misconception that they cannot manage stress or pressure effectively because they are seen as "too sensitive or delicate." She clarified, however, that this notion is incorrect. While they do approach stress management uniquely, others shouldn’t be wary about speaking with them, fearing they might break down easily.


 Furthermore, being autistic does not imply rejecting all social events. Rather, we tend to choose and organize our social engagements according to what feels comfortable and manageable for us at that moment.


 She emphasized that it's crucial for individuals to allow us to choose how and when we want to participate socially instead of presuming our preferences and immediately leaving us out of gatherings.


 She pointed out that another damaging stereotype was the notion that autistic people couldn’t excel as leaders or serve in prominent management roles due to their perceived deficiencies in communication and social skills.


 She mentioned that this misunderstanding frequently results in us not getting the chance to showcase our leadership skills. It’s extremely annoying when individuals presume we cannot add value and consequently deny us the opportunity to show them differently.


 When discussing how various degrees of autism on the spectrum impact her, she mentioned that categorizing them doesn’t simplify or adequately address autism.


 “Labels such as ‘mild’ or ‘high-functioning’ can be misleading and overly simplistic when describing autism,” she stated, noting that numerous individuals within the ASD community tend to shun these terms since they do not adequately reflect the wide spectrum of skills and difficulties one may encounter.


 It’s far more beneficial to talk about individual requirements and abilities instead of categorizing individuals into different levels. Take me as an illustration; many folks tend to label me as 'high-functioning' or mention that my autism is just mildly inconvenient. Yet, these same people overlook the challenges I encounter with fundamental organizational skills, something they might classify under 'low-functioning.'


 She stated, 'Labeling me as “high-functioning” or “mild” downplays the actual assistance I require and disregards the challenges I face.'


 She mentioned that having personal interactions with numerous autistic people who didn’t speak but communicated effectively through alternative means helped shape her viewpoint.


 "She also mentioned encountering instances when she withdraws and stops speaking. Rather than categorizing someone as 'high-functioning' or 'mild,' it's more appropriate to outline an autistic individual’s particular requirements and skills, or just identify them as 'autistic,"’" she explained.


 As an employed autistic adult, she might still need assistance with social interactions, particularly when expressing her views verbally, and values having prior notice for any alterations to planned activities.


 
 LOOKING AHEAD
 


 "Living after being diagnosed has been simultaneously simpler and more difficult," Chai mentioned.


 Even though she has gained a deeper comprehension of her situation and can now effectively communicate her requirements, she mentioned that the hurdles still encompass dismantling decades of ingrained ableism and shedding the habit of masking before receiving her diagnosis. “As I delve into reading and learning more, I’m increasingly aware of my own ignorance,” stated the individual with a PhD in medical biosciences.


 She highlighted that the comprehension of autism—including its ideologies, models, terminologies, and evidence-based methods—is constantly evolving, particularly with an increase in autistic perspectives being shared and ongoing expansion in research areas.


 This implies that despite being autistic, we continually need to deprogram and reeducate ourselves. Acknowledging my autism and sharing my diagnosis entails taking on the duty of self-advocation, regardless of whether it’s at university or in the professional sphere. She believes that the 1990s could well mark the beginning of autistic self-advocacy in contemporary work environments and family settings.


 She stated, "In the future, I envision myself furthering my efforts in advocacy, specifically concentrating on fostering a more inclusive workspace, which aligns with where I stand in my personal journey right now." She highlighted the significance of establishing such environments for people with autism.


 She looks forward to witnessing a more cohesive autistic community in Malaysia—a community not fragmented by late diagnoses in adults, parental involvement, varying degrees of support requirements, or distinct neurodivergent groups, but instead united under an umbrella advocating for neurodiversity overall.


 "As we acknowledge the variety found among races and religions without placing them in hierarchical order, I aspire to a future where neurodiversity is welcomed with equal measures of respect and inclusivity," she ended her statement.

From Autism Diagnosis at 20 to PhD: Dr. Chai Jing Yun Shatters Barriers

Unknown autism, healthcare and medicine, medical conditions and diseases, mental health, technology

What does it say about barriers when someone with autism can achieve so much? Get acquainted with Dr Chai Jing Yun—an individual with a PhD demonstrating that being neurodivergent doesn’t hinder aca…

Teenager Football Star Defies Cancer Diagnosis After Holiday Mole Discovery: His Inspiring Journey to Beating the Odds

Unknown cancer, medical conditions and diseases, news, soccer, sports

<ul class="mol-bullets-with-font">
 <li class="class">
 
 Football player Charlie Watson states that he will overcome his battle with skin cancer.
 
 </li>
 <li class="class">
 
 Watson, the player for Threave Rovers, has been given only weeks to live.
 
 </li>
 <li class="class">
 
 TUNE IN NOW: Things Are Heating Up! Indications That Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United Team Is Making Progress
 
 </li>
</ul>

 Teenager soccer player Charlie Watson has declared that he will keep battling following his diagnosis with skin cancer.
 cancer
 .


 Watson, who represents Threave Rovers in Scotland and formerly played for Queen of the South, was informed that he has only a few weeks left to live.


 Watson, 19, shared on social media: "The past several weeks have been incredibly challenging, but things are looking better now. About four weeks ago, I was informed that the cancer was progressing quickly and had reached my hip and spine. Doctors said I had mere weeks left."


 Learning about it was utterly heartbreaking, yet I realized I wouldn’t allow it to triumph over me. I’ve begun various therapies and am working with a nutritionist who’s guiding me through a rigorous eating plan.


 I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this without the contributions and backing everyone has provided until now, so I deeply appreciate your gratitude.


 Watson honored his mother and declared that he will 'triumph over this challenge.'

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 He penned: 'Above all, my incredible mother who has been beside me through each step, I have seen her heartbreak in unimaginable ways; I love you, Mum.'


 'I shall conquer this battle.'


 As reported by
 The Daily Record
 Charlie’s mother, Amanda, stated: "I hesitate to link Charlie's cancer directly to his use of sunbeds and sun exposure, yet I believe it's important to spread this information. After returning from vacation, a mole developed on him, and during that period, he was regularly using tanning beds."


 'No sum of money could deter a mother from attempting to obtain funds to seek a cure for her child.'


 'I'd trade places with him instantly if I could. Being a parent has made me feel utterly powerless more than anything else in my life.'


 Watson was diagnosed with nodular malignant melanoma following the appearance of a mole on his abdomen during the previous summer. He first spotted it upon coming back from a vacation in Magaluf.


 The mole came off his skin and was taken out of his body; however, tests revealed that he had a type of skin cancer.


 A fundraising effort in Scotland managed to gather more than £60,000, funds that will go toward supporting clinical trial research.


 Watson’s mother mentioned that he frequently made use of tanning beds when traveling overseas and did not consistently apply sunscreen.

Read more

Teenager Football Star Defies Cancer Diagnosis After Holiday Mole Discovery: His Inspiring Journey to Beating the Odds

Unknown cancer, medical conditions and diseases, news, soccer, sports

Football player Charlie Watson states that he will overcome his battle with skin cancer. Watson, the player for Threave Rovers, has been given only weeks to live. TU…

위험한 식습관이 폐암 위험을 최대 3배 증가시킨다?

Unknown health, health & fitness, health risks, medical conditions and diseases, safety

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 흡연과 폐암 간의 밀접한 관련성은 이미 오랜 기간 동안 확인되어 왔습니다.
 
 그러나 최신 연구들에 따르면 흡연을 하지 않는 사람들에서도 폐암 발병률이 상승하고 있다는 점입니다.
 
 식습관이 이 원인 중 하나로 강조되며, 특히 우리가 자주 하는 음식 섭취 습관이 의외로 폐암의 위험성을 증가시킬 수 있음을 알게 되었다. 우리의 하루하루 속에 숨은 이러한 식사 패턴들이 결국에는 질병 발생 확률을 올릴 수 있는 것이다.


 특히 폐는 외부의 해로운 물질뿐만 아니라 체내의 염증 및 활성 산소에도 예민하게 반응하는 장기입니다.
 
 먹는 음식 종류에 따라서 폐 조직에서 일어나는 염증 반응과 산화 스트레스가 커져 암 발병 확률이 올라갈 수 있습니다.
 
 다음은 의료진이 특별히 주의를 기울이는 폐암과 관련된 위험한 식사 습관 세 가지입니다.

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 첫 번째, 가공 육류 중심의 식단 - 니트로사민 및 나트륨 과다 섭취의 문제
 


 
 햄, 소시지, 베이컨 등의 가공 육류를 많이 먹는 식사는 폐암 발병과 깊게 연결되어 있습니다.
 
 가공육을 보존할 때 쓰이는 아질산염이 몸 안에서는 니트로사민이라는 물질로 바뀌는데, 이것이 매우 위험한 발암물질이라고 여겨진다.


 특히 니트로사민은 호흡기보다는 혈액을 통해 폐 조직에 축적되며, 이는 폐 세포를 공격하고 돌연변이를 유발할 가능성이 있습니다.
 
 여기서 프로세스드 미트에 포함된 과다한 소금 성분은 몸 안에서 염증 반응을 강화하고, 이러한 만성적인 염증 상태는 폐암 발생의 기반이 됩니다.
 


 가공육의 섭취를 주 1회 미만으로 제한하고, 고기를 먹을 때는 신선한 생고기와 야채를 같이 소비하는 것이 좋다.

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 두 번째, 고혈당 지수(GI)가 높은 식품 섭취 – 인슐린 저항성과 폐세포 돌연변이
 


 단순히 혈당 수치를 상승시키는 것을 넘어서, 정제된 탄수화물과 고당 분 함유 싥사들은 다양한 건강 문제가 발생할 수 있습니다.
 
 흰쌀밥, 흰빵, 케익, 과자 등과 같이 고glycemic index (GI) 식품들은 식사 후에 혈당 수치가 급속히 오르게 만들어 폐암 발병 위험성을 증대시킨다고 합니다.
 
 이는 인슐린의 과도한 분비를 초래합니다.


 상시적으로 혈당 수준이 높은 다이어트는 인슐린 저항성 문제를 더욱 나쁘게 만들고, 인슐린 및 유사 성장 인자(I GF-1)의 양을 증가시킨다.
 
 이들 호르몬은 세포 증식을 촉진하고, 폐세포 돌연변이를 유발하는 환경을 만든다.
 


 Moreover, high blood sugar levels can increase oxidative stress within the body.
 
 이것은 폐 조직 내의 DNA 손상들을 증가시킨다.
 
 현미, 전분 밀, 그리고 콩과 곡물 등 당지수가 낮은 음식들을 사용하여 탄수화물을 치환해야 합니다.

<h3>
 당신을 위한 추천
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 <li>
 의료진이 경고하는 "대장질환 3배 증가" 알arming 식품
 </li>
 <li>
 건강에 좋아서 먹었는데 “노화속도 3배 높이는” 의외의 음식
 </li>
 <li>
 "이 음식"을 매일 아무 생각 없이 섭취하면 고지혈증에 매우 취약해질 수 있습니다.
 </li>
</ul>
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 세 번째, 트랜스지방과 포화지방 중심의 식사 – 산화 스트레스와 염증 반응 유발
 


 
 패스트푸드, 마가린, 쇼트닝이 들어간 베이커리 제품, 크림류 등의 트랜스지방과 포화지방은 폐 건강에 악영향을 미친다.
 
 이들 지방은 체내에서 산화 스트레스를 유발하고, 염증 반응을 지속적으로 자극한다.


 특히 트랜스지방은 세포막의 유동성을 떨어뜨리고, 폐세포의 재생과 회복을 방해한다.
 
 만성적인 염증 상태는 폐 세포를 암세포로 변형시키는 촉매 역할을 하며,
 
 이로 인해 비흡연자도 폐암 위험이 증가할 수 있다.


 트랜스지방 섭취를 줄이기 위해선 가공식품과 인스턴트 식품을 지양하고, 불포화지방산이 풍부한 견과류, 올리브유, 들기름 등을 사용하는 것이 추천된다.

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 폐암을 막기 위한 식습관, 지금부터 바꿔야 한다
 


 비흡연자라도 폐암으로부터 안전하다는 확신은 없으며, 생활 습관과 식사가 폐 세포의 상태를 좋게 만들거나 나쁘게 할 수 있음을 이해하는 게 필수적이다.


 
 특히 염분과 당분 섭취를 줄이고 트랜스 지방 함유 식품을 회피하는 대신 신선한 야채와 산화 방지를 돕는 음식물을 증가시키는 것이 폐암 예방에 중요한 초반 단계이다.
 
 요리 방법도 중요한 요소입니다. 기름에 볶거나 튀기는 대신 찐이나 끓인 음식으로 선택하여 불필요한 발암 물질에의 노출을 최소화하는 것이 좋습니다.


 이제부터라도 자신의 음식 섭취 습관을 확인하고 개선하여 폐 건강에 주력한다면 이것이 가장 좋은 방법인 셈이다. 이것은 폐암을 예방하는데 효과적일 것이다.

위험한 식습관이 폐암 위험을 최대 3배 증가시킨다?

Unknown health, health & fitness, health risks, medical conditions and diseases, safety

흡연과 폐암 간의 밀접한 관련성은 이미 오랜 기간 동안 확인되어 왔습니다. 그러나 최신 연구들에 따르면 흡연을 하지 않는 사람들에서도 폐암 발병률이 상승하고 있다는 점입니다. 식습관이 이 원인 중 하나로 강조되며, 특히 우리가 자주 하는 음식 섭취 습관이 의외로 폐암의 위험성을 증가시킬 수 있음을 알게 되었다. 우리의 하루하루 속에 숨은…

Los populares vídeos de TikTok sobre el TDAH no suelen reflejar fielmente los síntomas, según los expertos

Unknown adhd, health, illness, medical conditions and diseases, popular culture

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1AZF6F" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1AZF6F.jpg"/>

 Los vídeos populares de TikTok sobre el
 
 trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH)
 
 son vistos de forma diferente por los expertos médicos
 
 en comparación con los adultos jóvenes
 
 , según un nuevo estudio que pone de relieve el papel que desempeñan las redes sociales en la configuración de nuestra percepción de la salud.


 Los investigadores pidieron a dos psicólogos
 clínicos especializados en TDAH
 que revisaran 100 vídeos populares de TikTok sobre este trastorno, que afecta al comportamiento de las personas y
 
 se caracteriza por la dificultad para concentrarse
 
 y la hiperactividad o impulsividad.


 Los dos psicólogos descubrieron que
 
 menos de la mitad
 
 (48,7%) de las afirmaciones de los vídeos
 
 reflejaban con exactitud los síntomas del TDAH
 
 según un manual de diagnóstico. A continuación, los investigadores hicieron que más de 800 estudiantes universitarios vieran 10 de los vídeos de
 TikTok
 , los que los expertos calificaron como más y menos fiables.


 El estudio, publicado el miércoles en la
 
 revista
 
 'PLOS One', reveló una discrepancia en la forma en que los expertos y los estudiantes percibían los vídeos.
 
 En el caso de los cinco vídeos
 
 mejor valorados por los psicólogos, los jóvenes les dieron una puntuación comparativamente más baja, de 2,8, frente a la media de 3,6 sobre 5 de los expertos.


 Los jóvenes calificaron los vídeos menos fiables con un 2,3 sobre 5, muy por encima del 1,1 sobre 5 que les dieron los expertos.
 
 "En general, este trabajo tiene algunas implicaciones importantes
 
 y ofrece una visión equilibrada del impacto de las redes sociales", afirma en un comunicado Blandine French, investigadora de la Universidad de Nottingham (Reino Unido) que no participó en el estudio.


 "Pero también
 
 suscita preocupación por los espectadores
 
 que confían en estos contenidos como fuentes educativas y de apoyo. La falta de matices, de base empírica y de fiabilidad de estos vídeos es muy elevada". Esto no significa que sean siempre malos, pero hay que tomarlos con extrema precaución", añadió.

<h2>
 Vídeos populares, pocos creadores con credenciales
</h2>

 Los autores del estudio descubrieron que
 
 los vídeos #ADHD más vistos
 
 eran muy populares, con casi 500 millones de visitas. La mayoría de los vídeos no hacían referencia a una fuente, y sólo uno de cada cinco creadores de contenidos compartía sus credenciales en el vídeo. Poco más de un tercio las indicaba en su
 perfil de TikTok
 .
 
 El 83,6% de los que indicaron sus credenciales
 
 se refirieron a su experiencia personal, mientras que el 13,1% declararon ser asesores de vida.


 
 Sólo el 1,6% dijo ser terapeuta
 
 o consejero sin proporcionar información sobre la licencia, y el 1,6% dijo ser un trabajador de la salud mental con licencia. Según los investigadores, ninguno de los usuarios declaró ser doctor, psiquiatra o médico. Alrededor de la mitad de los creadores
 
 promocionaban productos
 
 o buscaban algún tipo de compensación económica.

<h2>
 La investigación es un "punto de partida
</h2>

 Las personas que tenían un
 
 autodiagnóstico o un diagnóstico oficial de TDAH
 
 tendían a ver más los vídeos, y los que tenían un autodiagnóstico veían los vídeos peor valorados de los psicólogos de forma más favorable que los que tenían un diagnóstico clínico. Según French, se trata de un
 
 dato "interesante, pero potencialmente preocupante".
 


 "El grupo diagnosticado parecía más capaz de diferenciar la calidad de la información, mientras que los autodiagnosticados no lo eran tanto", señaló. Entre los límites del estudio está el hecho de que
 
 los estudiantes universitarios cursaban una asignatura de psicología
 
 y eran en su mayoría mujeres, por lo que expertos externos advierten del peligro de generalizar los resultados. Los autores del estudio afirman que la investigación "proporciona un punto de partida para comprender las
 representaciones del TDAH
 en TikTok".


 
 "TikTok puede ser una herramienta increíble
 
 para aumentar la concienciación y reducir el estigma, pero también tiene un inconveniente", dijo en un comunicado Vasileia Karasavva, estudiante de doctorado en psicología clínica en la Universidad de Columbia Británica en Canadá y autora principal del estudio.
 
 "Las anécdotas y las experiencias personales son poderosas
 
 , pero cuando carecen de contexto pueden dar lugar a malentendidos sobre el TDAH y la salud mental en general".

Los populares vídeos de TikTok sobre el TDAH no suelen reflejar fielmente los síntomas, según los expertos

Unknown adhd, health, illness, medical conditions and diseases, popular culture

Los vídeos populares de TikTok sobre el trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad (TDAH) son vistos de forma diferente por los expertos médicos en comparación con los adultos j…

Doctors Unveil Terrifying Health Risk Tied to Poor Sleep in Malaysia

Unknown dementia, health, health and exercise, illness, medical conditions and diseases

<ul class="mol-bullets-with-font">
 <li class="">
 
 EXPLORE FURTHER: Experts unveil the disorder that occurs within the body upon lack of sleep
 
 </li>
</ul>

 Experts caution that feeling drowsy constantly might indicate dementia.


 University of
 California
 Researchers have discovered that older women experiencing daytime sleepiness face twice the risk of developing dementia.


 Adequate sleep is essential for maintaining brain health and restoring cognitive functions, along with strengthening newly acquired knowledge and experiences.


 Dementia has been shown to disrupt that process, meaning even those who get eight hours of sleep per night may not be getting quality rest.


 The researchers found the link, though they could not say conclusively whether bad sleep causes dementia by circumventing the brain's normal waste-removal and rejuvenation processes while it sleeps, or if progressive brain decay causes poor sleep quality.


 Dr Yue Leng, an epidemiologist at UC San Francisco who specializes in the link between sleep and neurodegeneration in older adults, said: ‘Our study found that sleep problems may be intertwined with cognitive aging and may serve as an early marker or risk factor for dementia in women in their 80s.'

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Bgcdm" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Bgcdm.jpg"/>

 The researchers from UC San Francisco and UC San Diego analyzed data from the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF), which enrolled women 65 and up from Baltimore, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Portland, Oregon, between 1986 and 1988.


 The study followed 733 women with an average age of 83 at the start over decades.


 None of the women exhibited signs of cognitive impairment at the start of the study. Researchers conducted follow-up ‘visits’ at various time points.


 They relied on a technology introduced after the study began, specifically around 2002, during the eighth visit.


 At that point, researchers began using wrist-worn actigraphs – small devices that measure movement using a sensor and continuously record sleeping and waking activity.


 Women wore them for three days at the start and end of the study.


 They also conducted cognitive testing periodically throughout the study.


 Over a third of the women had declining nighttime sleep (DNS), indicating poor sleep quality.

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 Twenty-one percent had increasing sleepiness (IS), and overall, more than half of women had poor sleep patterns over five years.


 Over 22 percent of women developed cognitive impairment over a five-year follow-up period, and 13 percent of them developed dementia.


 Women stuck in one of these detrimental sleep patterns had a two- to three-fold risk of developing dementia compared to those with stable sleep.


 Even after adjusting for age, education, and race, the increased risk of dementia linked to daytime sleepiness was still double.


 Using actigraphy data, researchers were also able to see clearly how sleep habits and patterns change as women age.


 Both DNS and IS pattern groups napped more during the day, had weaker circadian rhythms, and worsened sleep quality by the year.


 The latest research was published in the journal Neurology.


 Studies have long questioned the link between sleep patterns and dementia risk, likening it to a chicken-or-the-egg scenario: does poor sleep cause dementia, or does dementia engender poor sleep?

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1Bgcdw" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1Bgcdw.jpg"/>

 Several other studies have demonstrated links between insufficient amount of sleep and dementia risk.


 A Harvard Medical School study, for instance, followed 2,800 people 65 and older and found those who slept for five hours or fewer every night
 were twice as likely
 to develop dementia compared to those who slept six to eight hours nightly.


 At the same time, poor sleep is a known symptom of dementia. People with the neurodegenerative disease – around two-thirds of whom are women – often struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep.


 People with dementia spend less time in stages three and four of sleep, when the body repairs tissues, bolsters the immune system’s preparedness, processes memories, restores energy, and clears waste products from the brain.


 Dr Leng said: ‘This highlights the need for future studies to look at all aspects of daily sleep patterns to better understand how changes in these patterns over time can be linked to dementia risk.’

Read more

Doctors Unveil Terrifying Health Risk Tied to Poor Sleep in Malaysia

Unknown dementia, health, health and exercise, illness, medical conditions and diseases

EXPLORE FURTHER: Experts unveil the disorder that occurs within the body upon lack of sleep Experts caution that feeling drowsy constantly might indicate dementia. University of Calif…

「メンタル不調で休職を繰り返す人」の1つの特徴【医師が解説】

Unknown business, employment, health, illness, medical conditions and diseases

<img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1B2tkb" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1B2tkb.jpg"/>

 絶対にこの会社で働き続けたい――そう強い意思を持っていても、人間関係や仕事のプレッシャーなどの予期せぬストレスによって、メンタル不調に陥るケースもある。休職期間を経て復職しても再発するかもしれないが、会社はやめたくない……。そうした不安を抱える人々に、産業医の薮野淳也氏は「今いる場所はあなたにとっての『適所』ですか？」と問いかける。心身ともに健康的に働くために必要な“視点”とは？※本稿は、薮野淳也（著）、橋口佐紀子（構成）
 『産業医が教える 会社の休み方』
 （中央公論新社）より一部を抜粋・編集したものです。

<h2>
 
 職場選びの際に考えるべき
 
 
 「健康的に働けるかどうか」
 
</h2>

 仕事のなかでストレスを抱えて一旦は体調を崩しても、多くの人は、職場との調整や休養を挟むことで、回復して、いきいきと働いていらっしゃいます。その一方で、どうしても慣れることができないということも少なからずあります。


 私自身も、苦手なことはたくさんありますから、どんな職場・仕事でも慣れればできるかというと、決してそうではありません。


 やっぱり、適材適所です。やりたいことと、できること、合っていることが違う場合もあります。どんなに努力しても慣れない、合わないのなら、もっと自分に適した場所に移るほうが、働く本人にとっても、会社にとっても、社会にとってもプラスです。


 その企業を志望し、今その企業で働いている背景には、やりがいや成長、お金、企業理念への共感などさまざまな理由があるのでしょう。これまで病気とは無縁だった方は、「健康的に働けるかどうか」という視点は、休職するまで持っていなかったと思います。就職や転職のときにも、一切気にしていなかったでしょう。


 でも、これからは、
 
 健康という軸も働き方を考えるうえで取り入れてほしい
 
 のです。


 少子高齢化で働き手の確保が社会問題となっているなか、定年は引き上げられ、働く期間は延びています。ゆくゆくは70代まで働くことが普通になってくるのではないでしょうか。そうすると、自分にとって長く健康的に働ける場所を探すことはますます重要になります。

<h2>
 
 メンタル不調の原因は
 
 
 職場そのものかも？
 
</h2>

 メンタル不調から休職を何度か繰り返している人のなかには、本人の性格やスキルと仕事内容や働き方がマッチしていないように見える方もいます。それでも、本人は「この会社がいいんです、この会社で働きたいんです」と復職にこだわっている、ということも。


 誰しも、いい企業で働きたいといった気持ちはありますから、たとえ体調を崩しても、せっかく努力して掴んだポジションをあきらめきれないのだと思います。


 でも、どうしても慣れることのできない職場でずっと働き続ける意味はあるのでしょうか。健康を害してまでそこで働く意味は、そんなにもあるのでしょうか。


 ここで大事になるのが、振り返りです。


 ある方は、最初は「絶対にこの会社がいいです」とおっしゃっていましたが、休職期間中に体調を崩した原因や自分自身のことを振り返るなかで、少しずつ気持ちが変わっていったようです。もっと自分に合った職場を探そうと思うようになり、転職活動を始め、最終的に、今の会社を退職すると決めたときにはとても清々しい表情をされていました。


 適応障害など、一度、心のバランスを崩したからといって、必ずしも転職が必要とは限りません。でも、どうしても慣れることのできない職場なら、もっと自分に適した場所があるのではないか、と考える視点も必要です。

<h2>
 
 メンタル不調の再発は
 
 
 休み方の質が悪いから
 
</h2>

 先日、ある企業で1年間の産業医業務のまとめを、人事の皆さんに報告しました。


 メンタル不調の方の相談や休職面談についての統計を出し、既往歴の有無で分けてみたところ、圧倒的に既往歴のない人のほうが多数でした。つまり、メンタル不調に陥ったのは初めてという人がほとんどだったのです。


 また、ストレスを抱えた理由もさまざまでした。過重労働や職場の人間関係、目標達成のプレッシャーといった仕事にまつわることだけではなく、家族の介護や病気など家庭の問題が関わっていることもありました。


 こうしたことから思うのは、1つは、メンタル不調は誰にでも起こるということ。私自身も、クリニックの開業当初、あまりの忙しさに眠れなくなり、食欲も落ち、体重も10キロ減って、適応障害になりました。心が弱いからなるわけではなく、さまざまなきっかけで誰しも心のバランスを崩すことはあります。


 でも、メンタル不調で相談にきた方のほとんどが既往歴なしということは、正しく休めば、ずるずると引きずるわけではないということです。


 メンタル不調による休職は復職後の再発が多いと紹介しましたが、それは、休み方の質が悪かったのです。ただ仕事を休むだけではなく、きちんと自分を整え、不調に至った原因をしっかり振り返り、そして職場にも働きかけて環境も整えれば、「また再発するかも」とビクビク過ごす必要はありません。


 診察室でも「私も適応障害になったことがありますけど、今は元気に働けているので大丈夫ですよ」と、笑顔で患者さんに伝えています。


 メンタル不調は誰にとっても無縁ではないけれど、一度なったからといって、ずっと不調を抱えたまま生きていかなければならないわけではありません。今つらい方は、
 
 そのつらさがずっと続くわけではない
 
 ということは忘れないでください。

<h2>
 
 ストレスへの対処は2つ
 
 
 「自分」か「環境」を整える
 
</h2>

 会社で働くということは、働いた分、お金をもらっているわけです。


 そして、就業規則には必ず始業・終業の時間、1日あたりの所定労働時間、週あたりの所定労働時間が定められています。決められた時間はしっかり働かなければいけないわけですから、もしも、その義務を満たせていないのであれば、体調を整えるために休むべきです。


 そのときには「自分を整える」ことと「環境を整える」ことの両軸で整えていきましょう。特に適応障害の場合、働くなかで発症したということは、働く環境のなかに何らかのストレスがあるということです。その場合、自分を整えてストレスに慣れるか、環境を整えてストレスを減らしながら慣れるかの2つしかないと思っています。

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 そもそも定時で働くことがつらい体調の人は、すでにパフォーマンスが下がっています。下がった状態でそのまま働き続けることは、長い目で見れば、誰にとってもよくありません。本人もつらいでしょうし、会社にとっても長期的に生産性が下がり、ひいては社会のためにもなりません。


 体調不良があり定時で働くことがつらい、体調を理由にした欠勤が増えているといったときには、しっかり休んで
 
 100％の自分に戻ってから、その人がもっている能力を発揮してもらったほうが、自分も幸せですし、会社のため、社会のためにもなります。
 


 体調不良を理由に定時で働けないのなら、まずは定時で働ける体調を取り戻しましょう。そして、万全のパフォーマンスで会社に、社会に貢献しましょう。

「メンタル不調で休職を繰り返す人」の1つの特徴【医師が解説】

Unknown business, employment, health, illness, medical conditions and diseases

絶対にこの会社で働き続けたい――そう強い意思を持っていても、人間関係や仕事のプレッシャーなどの予期せぬストレスによって、メンタル不調に陥るケースもある。休職期間を経て復職しても再発するかもしれないが、会社はやめたくない……。そうした不安を抱える人々に、産業医の薮野淳也氏は「今いる場所はあなたにとっての『適所』ですか？」と問いかける。心身ともに健康的に働くために必要な“視点”とは？※本稿は、薮野…

Why More Adults in Singapore Are Receiving an Autism Diagnosis Later in Life

Unknown autism, health, healthcare and medicine, illness, medical conditions and diseases

Many of the signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can go unnoticed until adulthood, though symptoms present differently for everyone

 Natasha Nelson, a 35-year old entrepreneur in Stone Mountain, in the US state of Georgia, does not have an innate sense of social norms. She did not know why people meeting for the first time would choose to engage in small talk instead of deep conversations, or why people like to make their beds.


 Then, a few years ago, she was diagnosed with
 autism
 , just after her youngest daughter received the same diagnosis.


 "If your entire life seems disorganized and chaotic, leaving you feeling uncomfortable and unfulfilled—like you’re merely enduring each day without truly thriving—what do you really have to lose?" asks Nelson, urging individuals in this situation to consider getting diagnosed.


 Are you looking for insights into the most significant issues and developments globally? Find your answers here.
 SCMP Knowledge
 Our latest platform features handpicked content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, all provided by our acclaimed team.


 Typical indicators of autism involve difficulties in social communication and an intense focus on specific habits or subjects—Nelson mentions “individuals have turned into my particular fascination nowadays”—and these might not be easily spotted during early years.

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</div>

 But it can be costly and difficult to obtain an autism diagnosis later in life due to a shortage of medical professionals trained to work specifically with adults.


 Here is more information on what you should know about adult autism diagnoses.

<h3>
 What is autism and when is it usually diagnosed?
</h3>

 Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn and behave. It presents in different ways, including rigidly following routines, having fixed or obsessive interests, having diverse sensory responses, and struggling to hold eye contact or understand non-verbal communication.


 Autism is
 typically diagnosed during childhood
 The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that all children undergo screening starting at 18 months.

<h3>
 What explains the rise in adult diagnoses of autism?
</h3>

 A greater number of grown-ups have pursued understanding about themselves.
 neurodiversity
 Over the last ten years—frequently following their children’s diagnosis or upon encountering social media posts—a study released in 2024 in JAMA Network Open highlighted a dramatic 452 percent rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases among adults between 26 and 34 years old from 2011 to 2022.


 Certain characteristics might remain hidden until one reaches adulthood, particularly when faced with fresh social expectations. Others could have acquired skills to conceal particular behaviors, a phenomenon referred to as masking.


 "As individuals mature, they develop coping mechanisms,” explains Whitney Ence, a psychologist at the University of California San Francisco specializing in adult autism. “They might realize ‘It’s not appropriate for me to show this publicly, so I engage in those behaviors privately.’”

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</div>

 There is also an overlap of symptoms between various disorders such as
 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD
 ) and
 obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD
 Those factors can make diagnosing autism more complex, because of comparable challenges with understanding unspoken social signals or managing tasks related to executive functioning such as maintaining focus, retaining information, and resolving issues.

<h3>
 What are the signs of autism in grown-ups?
</h3>

 Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. Many characteristics are also commonly found in individuals who do not have autism, such as appreciating structured activities or delving deeply into detailed topics.


 According to Dr. Arthur Westover, a psychiatrist specializing in autism at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, for an individual to be diagnosed with autism, their symptoms must lead to considerable functional challenges.


 As humans, we typically enjoy routines... finding joy and comfort in them doesn’t imply you have autism," Westover states. "There’s more to it than that.

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 Russell Lehmann, who is 34 years old, has been living with ASD for over two decades and shared the highs and lows of his experience in his book.
 
 On the Outside Looking In: My Life on the Autism Spectrum
 
 . A motivational speaker, he has routines that he describes as both comfortable and stressful.


 Eating the same food and buying the same groceries brings him comfort, he says. But if he skips going to the gym for an hour and a half every day, he becomes overwhelmed with feelings of depression and failure.


 "It's like no gym, no day," he says. "My routine is an incredibly existential burden, because every night I go to bed knowing I have to do a routine I do not like simply to function."

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 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1zoiKt" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1zoiKt.jpg"/>
</div>
<h3>
 How does a diagnosis work?
</h3>

 There are various online screening tools, but autism is a complex diagnosis, so experts recommend talking to your doctor for a psychiatry referral.


 A psychiatrist might want to interview people who were present in your early childhood, like family and friends, who can attest to symptoms being present at that time.


 Some psychiatrists may refer you to a psychologist, who can give you a standard diagnostic autism test or use their own clinical judgment. There is no brain scan or blood test for autism.


 Getting an autism diagnosis as an adult can be costly and take time. Westover says there is a major shortage of specialists who work with autistic adults. Nelson's diagnosis took three years and she paid more than US$3,000 (HK$23,000).


 In Hong Kong, amid a shortage of mental health professionals and a long wait for services in the public sector, local
 Non-governmental organizations have intervened to provide free or affordable services.
 , and assist in locating the required resources.


 Ence recommends asking yourself several questions before opting for a professional evaluation, and being aware that you might encounter a waitlist.


 "What is guiding me towards considering whether I require a professional evaluation? Is it necessary for me to have access to certain services? Could there be services unavailable to me?" she implies.


 
 Enjoying your reading? Follow SCMP Lifestyle!
 
 
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 ,
 
 
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 . You can additionally subscribe to our electronic newsletter
 
 
 here
 
 
 .
 


 More Articles from SCMP


 Hong Kong aims to attract foreign investors with Cepa updates allowing the city’s regulations on the mainland.


 Technology showdown: Former Apple engineer comes back to China to instruct on semiconductors at their old school


 A senior Hong Kong police officer allegedly attacked a woman three times inside the station, according to what was reported in court.


 Trade unions in Hong Kong could see increased oversight with suggested legal amendments.


 The article was initially published on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is known for its comprehensive coverage of news related to China and Asia.


 Copyright © 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Why More Adults in Singapore Are Receiving an Autism Diagnosis Later in Life

Unknown autism, health, healthcare and medicine, illness, medical conditions and diseases

Many of the signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can go unnoticed until adulthood, though symptoms present differently for everyone Natasha Nelson, a 35-year old entrepreneur in Stone Mountain, in…

-inflammatory Foods: What to Cut Out to Prevent Cancer and Heart Disease

Unknown health, health advice, health tips, medical conditions and diseases, nutrition

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<div>
 
 일상적으로 먹는 음식들이 체내에서 염증을 발생시킬 가능성이 있습니다. 염증은 상처 치유나 세균과 같은 외부 요인으로부터 몸을 보호하기 위한 정상적인 반응입니다만, 지나치게 누적되면 여러 장기에 피해를 입혀 암이나 심혈관 질환 등의 다양한 병의 위험성을 증가시키곤 합니다. 이번에는 우리 몸에 염증을 초래할 수 있는 특정 음식들에 관해 살펴보겠습니다.
 
 
 
 ◇단 음식
 
 고혈당을 일으키는 탄산음료, 초콜릿, 아이스크림과 같은 고설탕 식품들은 몸에 염증을 일으킬 가능성이 있습니다. 이러한 음식물은 신체 내에서 매우 빠르게 소화되고 흡수가 이루어지며 이로 인해 혈중 당분 수치가 급상승합니다. 이런 상태에서는 인슐린의 생성이 지나치게 많아져 염증을 일으키는 물질인 염증성 사이토카인이 더 많이 만들어집니다. 또한 건강한 박테리아들이 줄어들면서 해롭거나 불쾌한 세균들의 양이 증가하는 상황도 발생할 수 있습니다.
 
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 아스파탐과 수크랄로스와 같은 합성 당대체물 역시 조심해야 합니다. 현재 인간에 대한 연구는 많지 않지만, 몇몇 연구에서는 이러한 합성 감미료의 섭취가 장 내 유익한 세균 균형을 깨뜨리고 염증을 가중할 수 있는 것으로 나타났습니다.
 
 
 
 ◇짠 음식
 
 소금 섭취가 많은 패스트푸드, 즉석 멘보와 스낵류를 자주 먹으면 몸에서 염증이 심해질 위험이 있습니다. 혈중의 나트륨 양이 많아지게 되면 염증 반응이 지나치게 강화되어 혈관을 통해 여러 부위로 퍼집니다. 나트륨이 누적되면 혈관들이 좁아지고 고혈압으로 발전하여 혈액 순환을 방해하게 됩니다. 이런 상태에서는 염증 물질이 올바르게 처리되지 못하고 체내에 계속해서 저장되는 경향성이 생깁니다.
 
 
 
 ◇적색육·가공육
 
 자주 먹는 적색육이나 가공육은 몸에 염증을 유발하는 물질들의 수치를 올릴 수 있습니다. 특히 이러한 음식들은 포화 지방의 양이 많기 때문에 내부적인 염증 반응을 증가시킵니다. 또한, 가공 과정 중에 추가되는 성분들, 예컨대 질산염 같은 보존제들도 우리 몸에서 염증 반응을 일으키게 됩니다.
 
 
 
 ◇튀긴 음식
 
 굽거나 지져서 기름에 고열로 요리하는 음식들도 주의 깊게 다뤄야 합니다. 이러한 고열 처리과정에서는 AGEs라는 당 성분의 독성이 생성됩니다. 이는 우리의 혈관벽이나 췌장을 포함한 여러 부위에 덕sticky덕하고 붙어서 세포를 파괴하며 염증을 일으킵니다. 특히, 고열에서 요리를 하고 단백질과 포화지방이 많은 음식에는 이런 독성 물질들이 많이 들어 있습니다. '당뇨병, 대사 증후군 및 비만' 책 내용에 따르면, 소고기를 90그램 삶았을 때 1시간 동안 요리는 최종당화산물을 약 2천 KU 만드나, 같은 양의 고기가 굽혀졌다면 그 수치는 5367KU까지 상승합니다. 또한, 감자를 100그램 삶아 25분간 취급할 시 발생되는 최종당화산물은 약 17KU이며, 이를 튀길 경우에는 그 값이 1552KU까지 치솟습니다.
 
 
 
 ◇정제곡물
 
 흰쌀과 밀가루와 같은 가공된 곡물들은 염증 발생 확률을 올릴 수 있습니다. 이러한 정제된 곡품은 겨까지 함께 갈아서 만들어진 전곡보다 식이섬유, 미네랄 등의 성분이 적으며, 이런 성분들이 항염 효과를 가지고 있기 때문입니다. 동방핀란드대학교의 조사에서는 정제된 곡물을 하루에 50그램씩 추가로 먹으면 C-반응단백질(C-Reactive Protein, CRP) 값이 맥주 한 잔 정도(리터 당 0.23밀리그람) 상승한다는 결론을 내렸습니다. 이것은 몸속 염증 지표 중 하나이며, 그 값을 통해 체내 염증 상태를 측정합니다.
 
 
 
 ◇알코올
 
 알코ール는 세포를 파괴하고 산화 스트레스를 일으켜 체내에 염증 반응을 초래합니다. 이로 인해 body 내의 메타볼리즘 과정 중 염증성을 가진 시토킨이 늘어나서 특히 간과 같은 기관들이 훼손되고, 그 결과 알코일 관련 간질환이 발생할 가능성이 커집니다.
 
 
 
 ◇항염증 식단은
 
 반면, ▲채소·과일 ▲저지방 단백질 ▲견과류·씨앗류 등으로 구성된 식단은 체내 염증을 줄여 각종 질환 발병 위험을 낮추는 효과가 있다. 비타민C, 카로티노이드 등 항산화 영양소가 활성산소 수치를 낮추거나 몸속 염증 유발 경로를 조절하는 등 항염증 효과를 낸다.
 
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-inflammatory Foods: What to Cut Out to Prevent Cancer and Heart Disease

Unknown health, health advice, health tips, medical conditions and diseases, nutrition

일상적으로 먹는 음식들이 체내에서 염증을 발생시킬 가능성이 있습니다. 염증은 상처 치유나 세균과 같은 외부 요인으로부터 몸을 보호하기 위한 정상적인 반응입니다만, 지나치게 누적되면 여러 장기에 피해를 입혀 암이나 심혈관 질환 등의 다양한 병의 위험성을 증가시키곤 합니다. 이번에는 우리 몸에 염증을 초래할 수 있는 특정 음식들에 관해 살펴보겠습니다.…

12 Things Not To Say To Someone Who Has ADHD

Unknown adhd, adult adhd/add, children and families, healthcare and medicine, medical conditions and diseases

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 There has been a
 surge
 In recent years, there have been more diagnoses of adult ADHD, so it’s understandable if you're beginning to think that everybody you know might now have this condition.
 
 
 Dr. Ryan Sultan
 Dr. Sarah Johnson from New York-Presbyterian Hospital highlighted several factors contributing to this rise. Initially, she noted an increased acknowledgment and understanding of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) signs, which may not align with the conventional image of a hyperactive kid struggling to remain seated during class. It’s become clear that ADHD can manifest in various ways.
 women and girls
 Moreover, it’s not something everyone grows out of as they get older. Many adults also grapple with these symptoms; greater awareness has led to some finally receiving help for issues they’ve dealt with throughout their lives.
 
 
 Moreover, Sultan mentioned that "the rapid pace and multiple tasks characteristic of modern life, along with the relentless stream of information and technological distractions," may "worsen pre-existing ADHD symptoms or make them more noticeable in ways they might not have been previously."
 
 
 Whether people are only now experiencing symptoms of ADHD because of the way we operate in the world today or just now realizing that some of their past struggles could be attributed to ADHD, it’s true that more people are seeking an official diagnosis — and treatment.
 
 
 Andrew Kahn
 A psychologist and associate director at Understood.org mentioned that he conducted an extensive amount of ADHD assessments for adults throughout the pandemic. He thinks that conversations about the subject on social media prompted numerous individuals to consider, "Could this apply to me? Is this what I'm experiencing?"
 
 
 It's crucial not to presume that a large number of diagnoses implies they are inaccurate.
 
 
 "While the rising number of ADHD diagnoses may spark worries about overidentification, it's crucial to acknowledge that numerous individuals currently receiving a diagnosis genuinely require assistance. The pressures of contemporary living can propel those with near-threshold or slight symptoms into experiencing notable functional difficulties," Sultan stated.
 
 
 It's guaranteed that within your professional or personal circles, you're acquainted with at least one individual who has ADHD, even if they haven’t explicitly shared their condition with you. We discussed with Sultan, Khan, and various advocates what comments to refrain from making towards those diagnosed with ADHD and common misunderstandings surrounding this diagnosis.
 
 <h2>
 
 1. 'ADHD is an issue that only children experience.'
 
 </h2>
 
 Sultan mentioned historically, ADHD was frequently viewed as a condition exclusive to children that they would eventually 'outgrow.' "However," he added, "we currently know it can continue affecting individuals through adulthood." This persistence presents difficulties for those affected in educational settings, professional environments, and personal life. In fact, some partners have discovered that unaddressed ADHD significantly contributed to conflicts within their marriages.
 
 <h2>
 
 2. 'You're far too intelligent to be dealing with ADHD.'
 
 </h2>
 
 Indeed, only some individuals with ADHD face academic challenges; however, these difficulties stem from issues related to executive function rather than intellect. As Sultan explained, executive functions encompass tasks such as planning, prioritizing, managing time, and controlling emotions within one’s cognitive processes.
 
 
 Despite putting in significant effort (often immense amounts of it), individuals with ADHD can overcome their executive function difficulties and achieve top grades in school along with acceptance into prestigious universities. However, this does not imply that the journey was effortless.
 
 
 This statement dismisses the lifelong challenges that an individual with ADHD must overcome to attain any successes.
 Jesse J. Anderson
 , creator of the
 Extra Focus newsletter
 As an ADHD advocate, they shared with , "ADHD doesn't stop you from tackling major challenges in life. However, it often makes these endeavors significantly harder, with many of the underlying difficulties being concealed from view."
 
 
 It bears mentioning again that there is no relationship between ADHD and intelligence.
 
 
 People with ADHD possess comparable intelligence levels as those without," Kahn stated. "No evidence suggests this condition is linked to a lower IQ.
 
 <h2>
 
 3. ‘It’s an excuse to be lazy.’
 
 </h2>
 
 Dealing with ADHD might make completing tasks challenging, yet this does not always indicate a deficiency in capability or drive.
 
 
 "Saying that someone with ADHD is lazy is both harmful and incorrect," Sultan stated.
 
 
 Kahn explained that what seems like laziness could instead indicate an individual’s attempt to manage difficult circumstances. In this scenario, withdrawal may mistakenly be seen as idleness when it might really represent a sense of immobilization. According to Kahn, such immobilization involves feeling trapped, potentially leading others to perceive noncompliance or insufficient exertion where none exists.
 
 
 Labeling the challenges associated with ADHD as a moral shortcoming, implying it's a deliberate decision, "is what these terms do," according to Anderson. "They suggest it’s a matter of personal choice."
 
 desperately
 
 eager to do the right thing, but facing an obstacle that makes it seem almost impossible to take action."
 
 <h2>
 
 4. 'How come you can’t simply concentrate?'
 
 </h2>
 
 For individuals with ADHD, struggling to concentrate does not indicate a absence of wish to pay attention.
 
 
 This remark suggests that concentration merely depends on one’s determination, ignoring the neurological difficulties faced by people with ADHD," Sultan explained. "It can cause feelings of being criticized, annoyed, and not understood, making them believe that their hardships result from insufficient exertion.
 
 <h2>
 
 5. 'In my opinion, you appear to be doing well.'
 
 </h2>
 
 Considering that the typical image associated with ADHD is often a very active young boy, many individuals—such as adults and girls—do not conform to this archetype.
 
 
 "Symptoms of ADHD can be hidden. A lot of individuals dealing with ADHD might hide their signs or handle them effectively sometimes, yet this does not imply they do not face challenges," Sultan stated.
 
 <h2>
 
 6. 'It's really not such a huge issue.'
 
 </h2>
 
 "Suggesting that ADHD isn't really serious" may come across as hurtful and offensive.
 Dani Donovan
 , author of
 The Anti-Planner: How to Accomplish Things Even When You're Not Feeling Motivated,
 told .
 
 
 Living with ADHD can lead to significant stress for both children and adults. Anderson shared his perspective, stating, "Imagine always feeling unprepared during an ongoing exam without ever having studied; each day feels like a defeat, leaving you puzzled about the reasons behind this struggle. Others may not realize that your difficulties stem from trying to meet expectations when your mind operates differently than those around you."
 
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 <h2>
 
 7. ‘You’re overreacting.’
 
 </h2>
 
 Nobody enjoys hearing this when they're feeling upset. Furthermore, Sultan noted that "difficulty managing emotions is a frequent symptom of ADHD."
 
 
 “He mentioned that ignoring someone’s emotional reaction can leave them feeling dismissed and overlooked,” further stating that this could “heighten their frustration and lead them to believe that their feelings aren’t important.”
 
 <h2>
 
 8. 'It doesn't appear like you struggle with concentrating when playing video games, watching TV, or using your phone.'
 
 </h2>
 
 Considering that ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, one might think it indicates a lack of attention. However, the situation is actually more complex than that.
 
 
 People with ADHD don't lack focus; instead, they possess more attention than usual," Anderson explained. "The challenge lies in controlling this excess attention, making it hard to direct properly at times. Occasionally, we may experience extreme concentration called hyperfocusing, where our attention becomes intensely focused on something specific, causing us to overlook external factors such as someone shouting our name, the changing time, or realizing that we've gone without food or water for extended periods.
 
 <h2>
 
 9. ‘You’re
 
 trying
 
 to be difficult.’
 
 </h2>
 
 Individuals with ADHD aren't acting this way to irritate you—they just process information differently. As Donovan pointed out, those with ADHD aren't deliberately attempting to annoy or disrupt you. Showing some tolerance and empathy, along with avoiding personal offense, can significantly improve your engagements with individuals who have ADHD (as well as everyone else).
 
 <h2>
 
 10. 'No, you're meant to do it.'
 
 this
 
 way.’
 
 </h2>
 
 While ADHD presents various difficulties, it frequently offers the benefit of approaching problems from unconventional angles. Individuals with ADHD sometimes call this unorthodox way of thinking their secret weapon.
 
 
 Even though there might be an approach that many people think makes common sense, it usually doesn’t align well with how the ADHD mind functions," Anderson explained. "Instead of criticizing the technique, focus on the outcome. Due to their different way of thinking, individuals with ADHD excel at discovering unconventional (and frequently superior) methods for tackling issues.
 
 <h2>
 
 11. 'Each person has a bit of ADHD.'
 
 </h2>
 
 While it's accurate that each of us exhibits behaviors that could potentially indicate ADHD — such as “
 tossing
 ” or an
 unexpected laundry habit
 —the level of intensity and length varies for individuals with an ADHD diagnosis.
 
 
 We each encounter these human experiences to different extents," Kahn stated. "The point at which they persist for extended periods and hinder our ability to perform tasks we believe we ought to manage becomes significant.
 
 <h2>
 
 12. 'Have you considered utilizing a task list or planner?'
 
 </h2>
 
 Managing organization can pose difficulties for many individuals, yet those with ADHD face an even more pronounced struggle.
 
 
 "Suggesting that it's an easy solution doesn't take into account the challenges related to executive function that numerous individuals with ADHD encounter," Sultan stated.
 
 
 Anderson remembered that something similar had occurred with him earlier.
 
 
 When I initially discussed ADHD with my doctor, he gestured for me to come closer to his desk, giving off an impression that he had groundbreaking insights regarding ADHD that could transform my experience," he recounted. "However, all he did was display the Outlook calendar on his computer screen, seemingly suggesting that utilizing a digital planner was something revolutionary and expected to solve my ADHD issues.
 
 
 I assure you that someone with ADHD has likely attempted nearly all the productivity hacks you might imagine," he went on. "We understand 'what' needs to be done; however, the challenge lies in our ability to actually execute those actions due to ADHD.
 
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12 Things Not To Say To Someone Who Has ADHD

Unknown adhd, adult adhd/add, children and families, healthcare and medicine, medical conditions and diseases

There has been a surge In recent years, there have been more diagnoses of adult ADHD, so it’s understandable if you're beginning to think that everybody you know might now have this condition…

研究揭示：運動是緩解網癮、提升心理健康的關鍵之道

Unknown health, health & fitness, health and exercise, medical conditions and diseases, medicine and healthcare

互聯網技術雖然提供了種種便捷，但也有可能導致人們过度依赖网络而產生上瘾問題，進而干擾日常生話和精神健康。根據广西大学的一项研究表明，定期進行适量运动能有效地緩解网絡成癮的情況，并有助于减轻焦虑、抑郁等不良情绪。该研究对14项随机对照试验的数据进行了分析，涉及共计760名参与者，结果表明各种形式的锻炼都有助于減少ネット成癮的程度并提高心理福祉状态。

<h2>
 網絡成癮影響生活 運動或成有效改善方案
</h2>

 隨著互聯網普及，許多人依賴網絡進行社交、工作及娛樂，但部分人無法控制使用時間，導致網絡成癮，影響學業、人際關係及心理健康。受影響者常沉迷社交媒體、遊戲或網購，長時間無法離開網絡，甚至出現睡眠障礙及焦慮等問題。這種現象與大腦多巴胺獎勵機制有關，與其他行為成癮相似，因此需要有效的干預措施。

<h2>
 研究分析 14 項試驗 運動介入有助改善
</h2>

 廣西大學的研究小組為了探討運動對於網路成癮的效用，審視了先前刊載的十四項隨機控制實驗數據，這些資料涵蓋七百六十位有著網際網路或智慧手機依賴問題的大學生成員。他們把所考察的身體鍛煉分成三大種類：一是需要靈活反應的開方式運動項目（例如籃球和足球）；二是以反覆練習動作為主的閉式運動（比如說慢跑、遊泳及重量訓練）；最後是這兩大類別相融合的形式。參加測試的人士須於四到十八周間定期展開適中的體育活動，頻率介乎每周二至五次之間，時間長短從五十分鐘延伸到了一百二十分钟不等，而對比群只保持原有的生活方式並沒有加入任何體能鍛煉計劃。

<h2>
 減少焦慮與孤獨感 運動能提升心理健康
</h2>

 數據分析顯示，參與運動的受試者網絡成癮症狀明顯減輕，焦慮、孤獨感、壓力及無助感亦有所下降。受試者的整體心理健康獲改善，並減少疲勞與抑鬱症狀。研究團隊指出，綜合運動方式（開放性與封閉性運動並行）對改善網絡成癮的效果最佳。


 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1zz4wG" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1zz4wG.jpg"/>

<h2>
 適用範圍有限 未來需更多研究
</h2>

 研究人員強調，這項研究僅針對中國大學生，結果未必適用於其他文化背景或年齡層，未來需進一步研究，以確認運動對不同群體的影響。不過，研究已證實運動有助減輕網絡成癮症狀，或可作為干預措施之一，幫助受影響者改善生活質素與心理健康。


 資料來源：
 Science Direct


 The post
 減輕網絡成癮症狀 研究：「運動」最有效改善心理健康
 appeared first on
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研究揭示：運動是緩解網癮、提升心理健康的關鍵之道

Unknown health, health & fitness, health and exercise, medical conditions and diseases, medicine and healthcare

互聯網技術雖然提供了種種便捷，但也有可能導致人們过度依赖网络而產生上瘾問題，進而干擾日常生話和精神健康。根據广西大学的一项研究表明，定期進行适量运动能有效地緩解网絡成癮的情況，并有助于减轻焦虑、抑郁等不良情绪。该研究对14项随机对照试验的数据进行了分析，涉及共计760名参与者，结果表明各种形式的锻炼都有助于減少ネット成癮的程度并提高心理福祉状态。網絡成癮影響生活運動或成有效改善方案隨…

While Alzheimer's Might Seem Out of Your Hands, There Are a Few Risk Factors You Might Be Able To Control

Unknown alzheimer's disease, brain health, dementia, medical conditions and diseases, neurodegenerative diseases

<a href="https://christinebryden.com/about-christine/">
 Christine Bryden
 </a>
 was gobsmacked in 1995, when doctors
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/alzheimers/statistics-surrounding-alzheimers">
 diagnosed
 </a>
 her with Alzheimer's. Only a year before, the 46-year-old biochemist had won Australia's Public Service Medal for outstanding work in science and technology. "Life was up for me," she writes on the YoungDementia UK website. "But on that fateful afternoon, everything changed, and I felt cut down in my prime."


 As she looked back, Bryden began to believe her diagnosis was somehow connected to her lifestyle. She never got enough sleep. She worked all the time. Her stress levels were stratospheric. At night she came home "with a pile of work," which she dove into after rushing to get her young daughters settled for the night. The next morning, Bryden woke up, worked some more, then got her daughters ready for the day.

<h2>
 Looking at her lifestyle
</h2>

 "Maybe a lack of sleep damaged my brain to some extent. But also, a high level of stress may have contributed to my brain damage," she writes. Bryden might not be that far off. Although doctors have been treating Alzheimer's for decades, they are still stymied as to its exact causes. For the most part, scientists believe the disease is
 <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-causes-alzheimers-disease#:~:text=The%20causes%20probably%20include%20a,differ%20from%20person%20to%20person.">
 triggered by a number of genetic and lifestyle factors
 </a>
 . Each impacts the brain over time. While people cannot change how old they are or the genes they are born with, they
 
 can
 
 change how they live. For starters, they can quit smoking and start eating more healthful foods. They can exercise more and lose weight. They can drink less and stimulate their minds more.


 A risk factor is just that - something that increases a person's risk, or chances, of developing some type of medical condition. Some risk factors, like age, are "non-modifiable," which means they cannot be prevented. Others, however, may be able to change with certain lifestyle habits. Here, a look at some of the most commonly known risk factors for
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/alzheimers/the-stages-of-alzheimers">
 Alzheimer's disease
 </a>
 and what - if anything - you may be able to do about them.

<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/mental-health/nearly-half-of-dementia-cases-are-preventable-read-report">
 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1rd7Fq" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1rd7Fq.jpg"/>
</a>
<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/mental-health/nearly-half-of-dementia-cases-are-preventable-read-report">
 Wellness
</a>
<h3>
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/mental-health/nearly-half-of-dementia-cases-are-preventable-read-report">
 
 Nearly Half of Dementia Cases Are Preventable-See the 2024 Report Highlights
 
 </a>
</h3>
In 2022, 2.3 million U.S. adults aged 65 and older were diagnosed with dementia, increasing concerns among at-risk seniors about prevention. The 2024 Lancet dementia report identified 14 key risk factors, plus two new ones, suggesting that 45 percent of dementia cases could be preventable with lifelong intervention. Read the full story to discover how […]
<h2>
 Non-modifiable risk factors
</h2>
<h3>
 Age
</h3>

 While certain memory loss is normal as we age, Alzheimer's is not. Experts say that between the ages of 65 and 70, the prevalence of AD is 1.5 percent. That means 15 out of every 1,000 people will get the disease by that point in their life. Those odds increase with each year. By the time we reach 75, the prevalence more than doubles, to 3.5 percent, or 35 out of every 1,000. By the time we hit 80, the prevalence of AD increases to 6.8 percent. As we approach our 100th birthday, the percentage skyrockets to 44.5 percent.

<h3>
 Family history
</h3>

 Whether we get Alzheimer's disease may have to do with our genetics. Researchers say that if one parent or sibling has the disease,
 <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/alzheimers-in-the-family#:~:text=Family%20history%20by%20the%20numbers,hike%20in%20your%20existing%20risk.">
 your risk increases by about 30 percent
 </a>
 . And there's also a greater chance of developing AD if both parents are afflicted.

<h3>
 Ethnicity
</h3>

 <a href="https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/02/alzheimers-genetics.html">
 Some studies suggest
 </a>
 that ethnic minorities, especially African Americans, have higher rates of dementia than Caucasians. Scientists recently identified two new genes in African Americans that may increase the risk. One of the genes,
 <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/gene-variant-linked-higher-risk-alzheimers-african-americans">
 ABCA7, works to produce cholesterol and lipids
 </a>
 . Some researchers believe that Alzheimer's may involve abnormalities in how our bodies metabolize fat. Other factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, may also play a role among older African Americans and Latinos. It's also possible that
 <a href="https://aaic.alz.org/releases_2022/lower-socioeconomic-dementia-risk.asp">
 lower incomes and limited educational opportunities
 </a>
 due to systemic discrimination against both groups contribute to the disease's progression.

<h3>
 Brain injury
</h3>

 Researchers believe a
 <a href="https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/related_conditions/traumatic-brain-injury">
 traumatic brain injury increases the risk of Alzheimer's
 </a>
 and other forms of dementia.
 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1173459/">
 One study found
 </a>
 that older adults who have had moderate traumatic brain injury (lost consciousness for more than 30 minutes) are 2.3 times more likely to develop AD than seniors who have not had a head injury. Seniors who have had severe brain injury (lost consciousness for more than 24 hours) are 4.5 times more likely to develop AD. Obviously, not everyone who experiences a head injury develops Alzheimer's or some other type of dementia. Moreover, there is no evidence indicating that a mild brain injury increases the risk.

<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/do-genes-cause-alzheimers">
 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1u2mUx" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1u2mUx.jpg"/>
</a>
<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/do-genes-cause-alzheimers">
 Wellness
</a>
<h3>
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/do-genes-cause-alzheimers">
 
 Does Alzheimer's Run In the Family? Here's What Doctors Know About the Gene Factor - And What They Don't
 
 </a>
</h3>
Understand the link.
<h2>
 Modifiable risk factors
</h2>
<h3>
 Heart health
</h3>

 When it comes to Alzheimer's, what's bad for your heart is bad for your brain. Researchers believe that cardiovascular problems are linked to the progression of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia later in life. A
 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28783817/">
 study published in 2017 by researchers at Johns Hopkins University
 </a>
 tracked nearly 16,000 middle-aged people in four states. Over a 25-year span, from 1987, researchers administered a variety of medical, memory, and cognitive tests. As the study progressed, 1,500 people were diagnosed with dementia, confirming that those with midlife vascular risk factors, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, had a greater chance of developing dementia. Moreover, the researchers confirmed what other studies had only hinted - smoking cigarettes increased the risk of dementia.

<h3>
 Alcohol use
</h3>

 For years scientists have been investigating if alcohol use is related to Alzheimer's. One study, amazingly, found that drinking up to three glasses of wine a day lowered the risk of Alzheimer's, but
 
 only in people who have the APOE e4 gene
 
 .
 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3865814/">
 Other studies
 </a>
 have also described the beneficial effects of low to moderate wine consumption. As much as researchers can decipher, low to moderate drinking actually protects the brain by reducing the viscosity, or thickness, of blood and increasing the amount of good cholesterol, known as HDL, in the body.


 That said, two major reviews of multiple research studies found that
 <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320619/">
 heavy drinkers and binge drinkers were more likely to develop AD and other forms of dementia
 </a>
 than those who drank moderately. Binge drinking, according to the
 <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm">
 Centers for Disease Control
 </a>
 and Prevention, is when men consume five or more drinks in about two hours and women imbibe four or more in that same period.

<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/brain/how-alzheimers-affects-your-brain">
 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1u2D9h" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1u2D9h.jpg"/>
</a>
<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/brain/how-alzheimers-affects-your-brain">
 Aging
</a>
<h3>
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/brain/how-alzheimers-affects-your-brain">
 
 What Really Happens to a Brain With Alzheimer's? Onset, Effects, and Scientific Findings Explained
 
 </a>
</h3>
An attack on the body's main control center.
<h3>
 Obesity
</h3>

 Obesity causes a variety of ills, including diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and other cardiovascular issues. It also seems to be a major factor in AD, doubling a person's
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/brain/how-alzheimers-affects-your-brain">
 risk of developing amyloid plaque
 </a>
 - the bogeyman of Alzheimer's - later in life. Past research on how people's weight influences their risk of dementia has produced conflicting results.
 <a href="https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/overweight-linked-increased-risk-dementia/">
 Some studies say
 </a>
 that if you're obese, you're at a high risk for dementia.
 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25866264/">
 Other studies
 </a>
 , however, have linked lower-than-average weight to increased dementia.


 In 2017, however, researchers put nearly all questions regarding obesity and Alzheimer's to rest.
 <a href="https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/high-bmi-linked-increased-risk-dementia-later-life/">
 A 38-year study of 1.3 million adults
 </a>
 living in the United States and Europe concluded that individuals with a high body mass index (BMI) are more likely to develop Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia than those who have a normal body weight.


 In that same study, scientists found that people with early-onset dementia and a low BMI go on to develop full-blown dementia more often than those who are of a healthy weight. The reason, researchers concluded, is that both obesity and a low body weight during the pre-dementia stage change how the body metabolizes fat. The study suggests that maintaining a healthy weight could prevent the illness - or at least stave off its effects.

<h2>
 How lifestyle may make a difference
</h2>

 In 2017, researchers in Great Britain announced that changing how you live may throw up a roadblock in the path of Alzheimer's disease. And while there are no proven ways to permanently stave off AD, they note that some changes in lifestyle might slow its progression.


 The study, conducted by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care, looked at nine risk factors. It concluded that more than one-third of all Alzheimer's cases are related to these risk factors and that avoiding them at every stage of life may delay or even stop memory loss. The researchers reached their conclusions by looking at a number of past Alzheimer's Disease studies. Their statistical analysis found that 35 percent of dementia cases could be prevented by fully addressing these and several other contributing lifestyle issues. Researchers noted that combating Alzheimer's needs to begin early - as soon as children start going to school.


 The less time a child spends in school, the greater the risk of developing Alzheimer's later in life. In fact, the researchers found that children who had no secondary schooling had a 7.5 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer's. That's why the researchers recommend that students stay in school until they reach the age of 15.

<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/brain/experts-share-6-easy-brain-boosting-memory-enhancing-tips-youll-want-to-try">
 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1u2hCV" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1u2hCV.jpg"/>
</a>
<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/brain/experts-share-6-easy-brain-boosting-memory-enhancing-tips-youll-want-to-try">
 Aging
</a>
<h3>
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/brain/experts-share-6-easy-brain-boosting-memory-enhancing-tips-youll-want-to-try">
 
 Experts Share 6 Easy Brain-Boosting, Memory-Enhancing Tips You'll Want to Try!
 
 </a>
</h3>
From the "smartest" foods (hint: SMASH!) to the fun tricks that'll help you recall people's names, experts share memory-boosting tips!
<h3>
 Lifestyle changes
</h3>

 The study also recommends that people, regardless of their age, exercise more, stop smoking, become more involved socially, reduce their weight, and manage their depression. "Although dementia is diagnosed in later life, the brain changes usually begin to develop years before, with risk factors for developing the disease occurring throughout life, not just in old age," said lead study author
 <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/psychiatry/people/livingston-g">
 Gill Livingston, Ph.D.
 </a>
 , professor of psychiatry of older people at the University College London. "We believe that a broader approach to prevention of dementia, which reflects these changing risk factors, will benefit our aging societies and help to prevent the rising number of dementia cases globally."


 The study was provocative, because researchers based their conclusions on a statistical analysis of previous studies rather than patient research. A similar study in the US was a bit more circumspect, concluding that perhaps a few lifestyle changes can bolster brain health, although the study offered no definitive proof that they would. Yet scientists are so intrigued with the lifestyle component that the
 <a href="https://aaic.alz.org/releases_2017/AAIC17-Thurs-overview-recap.asp">
 Alzheimer's Association in 2017 launched a $20 million clinical trial
 </a>
 with 2,500 people to see whether lifestyle changes can prevent cognitive decline and dementia.


 While lifestyle changes help some people, they might not help others. That's because there are myriad reasons that some people get Alzheimer's and others do not. One reason is genetics, especially in early-onset cases. People who suffer from late-onset Alzheimer's (in which symptoms become apparent in a person's mid-60s) do so because of a series of complex brain changes that occur over decades. There is consensus among researchers that genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors all play a role.

<h2>
 How to keep your mind sharp and ward off Alzheimer's risks
</h2>
<h3>
 Have an extra cuppa
</h3>

 Turns out coffee packs a boatload of brain-boosting nutrients. Research published in BMJ found that adults who regularly drink three to four cups of caffeinated coffee a day have a lower risk of Alzheimer's and other cognitive dysfunction. That's thanks to coffee's combo of brain-supporting antioxidants and caffeine, which can increase alertness and sharpen concentration both in the moment and in the long run.

<h3>
 Take a hike
</h3>

 A study in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that planned, structured and repetitive exercise, such as a daily walk around the block, slows cognitive decline. Exercise improves blood flow and increases noradrenaline, a chemical that transmits nerve signals in the brain. To get the benefit, walk 30 minutes per day at least three days a week.

<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/gut-microbiome-and-alzheimers-the-link-between-your-gut-and-brain">
 <img data-document-id="cms/api/amp/image/AA1qYeS6" data-reference="image" src="https://img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AA1qYeS6.jpg"/>
</a>
<a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/gut-microbiome-and-alzheimers-the-link-between-your-gut-and-brain">
 Wellness
</a>
<h3>
 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/gut-microbiome-and-alzheimers-the-link-between-your-gut-and-brain">
 
 The Gut Microbiome May Play a Role in Your Alzheimer's Risk: MD Explains
 
 </a>
</h3>
Find out how to nourish your gut and potentially help reduce the risk of memory loss as you age
<h3>
 Savor tuna salad
</h3>

 Omega-3 fatty acids help build brain and nerve cells. And studies have shown that omega-3s can help prevent Alzheimer's and other age-related cognitive decline too. Fatty fish such as salmon, albacore tuna, herring and sardines are a great source of omega-3s-aim to eat at least 8 oz. of fish per week.

<h3>
 Sleep easy
</h3>

 An analysis of more than 50 trials found that taking at least 3 mg of melatonin daily for six to 12 months improved cognitive function. The sleep hormone helps promote sound rest that benefits brain health, plus it reduces oxidative stress, a major contributor to brain aging.


 
 A version of this article appeared in our partner magazine Alzheimer's: New Hope for a Cure, in 2020, as well as Woman's World in 2024.
 


 
 Keep scrolling for more:
 


 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/aging/falls-may-increase-dementia-risk-how-to-prevent-them">
 
 Falls Could Increase Dementia Risk, Study Says-Here's How To Prevent Them
 
 </a>


 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/life/healing-with-music-police-officers-gift-to-alzheimers-patients">
 
 Meet the Police Officer Who Uses His Violin to Bring Comfort to Dementia Patients and Alzheimer's Communities
 
 </a>


 <a href="https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/study-reveals-link-between-gut-health-and-parkinsons-risk-over-time">
 
 New Study Links Gut Health With Parkinson's Risk-Plus One GI Symptom That Could Be an Early Sign
 
 </a>

While Alzheimer's Might Seem Out of Your Hands, There Are a Few Risk Factors You Might Be Able To Control

Unknown alzheimer's disease, brain health, dementia, medical conditions and diseases, neurodegenerative diseases

Christine Bryden was gobsmacked in 1995, when doctors diagnosed her with Alzheimer's. Only a year before, the 46-year-old biochemist had won Australia's Public Service Medal for outstan…