Daily Health Tips: Trusted Medical Information, Health Tips and Advices

When was your last eye exam? It's possible your answer could affect your risk of Alzheimer's. In a new study, people with vision problems who failed to visit the eye doctor -- or who left their vision problems untreated -- were nine times more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. Time for a checkup? The Vision/Cognition Connection To be clear, researchers don't think vision problems are a direct cause of Alzheimer's disease. But untreated eye problems could keep people from engaging in the types of activities that are good for your brain -- like reading, playing games, and even walking and socializing.    Prioritize Your Eyes Regardless of the connection between untreated eye problems and cognitive decline, there are lots of other good reasons to see your eye-care specialist regularly. The most important? Sight-robbing eye conditions like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy typically don't have any early warning signs. R

Alzheimer's Association Says Insufficient Funding and Inadequate Treatment Are Among the Challenges The Alzheimer's Association in a new report has identified 10 "critical challenges" that need to be addressed by the nation to combat the growth and devastating impact of Alzheimer's disease. The challenges include lack of funding and problems with diagnosing Alzheimer's. An estimated 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's now, and that number is expected to grow to 16 million by the year 2050, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Because of this looming health crisis, President Obama signed into law the National Alzheimer's Project Act on Jan. 4, with the aim of creating a national strategic plan to address what the Alzheimer's Association described as an "escalating crisis." The Alzheimer's Association's report, "Alzheimer's from the Frontlines: Challenges a National Alzheimer's

Need another reason to make olive oil a staple in your diet? If its antioxidant-giving, inflammation-busting, and cell-defending powers aren't enough, maybe its potential to fight Alzheimer's disease will win you over. Researchers have discovered a compound in extra-virgin olive oil that may protect the brain from the most common form of dementia. Protection from Brain Snarls Alzheimer's disease is associated with a change of tau protein in nerve cells. It clumps together to form snarled, spaghetti-like structures, which choke the life out of neurons, damage synapses, and kill off brain function in areas associated with memory retention one tiny piece at a time. Think of it like a cell phone carrier with spotty coverage. Your synapses help pass info from one nerve cell to the next so when they're damaged, they can't properly relay messages, which can lead to memory loss, depression, personality changes, and declining cognitive function. It's th

Good news for people who feel a hint of anxiety every time they forget where they put their keys. More than 50 percent of Alzheimer's cases may be preventable. In fact, research suggests that there are seven key lifestyle changes people could make to help protect themselves from the memory-stealing disease. The Super 7 More research is needed to confirm whether there is a causal link between these seven key risk factors and Alzheimer's. But there are plenty of other good health reasons to make the following changes: Get moving. Inactivity is linked to greater Alzheimer's risk, so go for a walk every day. Walking every day can keep your brain from shrinking, too. Don't smoke. Or quit if you do. Smoking may up the likelihood of Alzheimer's. Eat more watermelon. Why? A compound in this juicy summer fruit can help lower your blood pressure by as much as nine points! And low blood pressure at middle age may help protect against Alzheimer's.