Dementia vs Training
What is dementia? Dementia is the general term for a group of brain disorders that cause memory problems and make it hard to think clearly.
Is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other.
Symptoms can include:
- Forgetting all sort of things
- Confusion
- Trouble with language, concentrating, and reasoning
- Getting lost in familiar places
As dementia gets worse, it can: - Cause anger or aggression
- Make people see that aren't there
- Impair people's ability to eat, bathe, dress, or do other everyday tasks
- cause people to lose bladder and bowel control
Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of dementia
Effect of aerobic training on the cognitive performance of patients with dementia
The importance of physical activity to maintain a healthy psychological function is widely known.
Numerous studies have revealed that aerobic training may improve significantly the cognitive functions and reverse cognitive impairments in demented patients.
Aerobic and strength training
There is evidence that proves the combination of aerobic in addition to strength training after nine weeks have positive effects to improve the cognitive and motor function in patients with dementia, even were more effective than aerobic-only training.
Reference:
Palleschi, L., Vetta, F., De Gennaro, E., Idone, G., Sottosanti, G., Gianni, W., & Marigliano, V. (1996). Effect of aerobic training on the cognitive performance of elderly patients with senile dementia of alzheimer type. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 22, 47–50.
Dementia – Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Tests, Treatment, Care | alz. org. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2017, from http:/ /www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp
Erickson, K. I., & Kramer, A. F. (2009). Aerobic exercise effects on cognitive and neural plasticity in older adults. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(1), 22–4.
Le, N. (n.d.). Symptoms And Treatment Of Four Types Of Dementia [Digital image]. Retrieved from http:/ /www.rxeconsult.com/healthcare-articles/Symptoms-And-Treatment-Of-Four-Types-Of-Dementia--832/
From what I've read it's caused by the forming of plaques in the blood vessels in the brain, it restricts blood flow so it starts dying of parts of the brain, it resembles cholesterol in a way. So yeah, exercise can be a counter to alzheimer because of the better blood flow gained by it.