Welcome to our video on eight common drugs that can cause dementia it's a harsh reality that many of us may face as we age the fear of losing our memories our minds slipping away but what if I told you that there could be a hidden culprit something we might not expect medications substances we trust to alleviate our ailments and improve our quality of life can have unintended consequences on cognitive Health especially when used over prolonged periods or in higher dosages Recent research suggests that that certain medications could be linked to dementia a progressive brain disorder
that impairs memory and cognitive abilities in this video we're going to explore the medications that have been linked to an increased risk of dementia the list of drugs contributing to this silent epidemic is extensive including common medications used for allergies overactive bladder certain anti-depressants and even some sleep aids so many of us are unknowingly putting our minds at risk it's important to understand that not everyone who takes these medications will will develop dementia but the risk cannot be ignored by understanding the potential risks associated with these drugs we aim to empower viewers with information to
engage in informed discussions about their health care options with their health care provider there may be alternative treatments available with fewer risks in this video we will be discussing some natural treatment options to each medication so stay tuned until the end a quick reminder this video is for educational purposes only if you or your loved ones are currently taking any of the medications we'll be discussing it's essential not to make any changes to your regimen without consulting a healthc care professional let's get started one category of drugs that has been associated with dementia is anticholinergic
drugs anti-cholinergic drugs are a class of medications that block the action of acetylcholine a neurotransmitter involved in various nervous system functions including memory and learning in the brain blocking acetylcholine can lead to various effects effects such as sedation drowsiness and in some cases relief from certain types of mental disorders however it can also cause short-term memory loss confusion and cognitive impairment especially in the elderly in other parts of the body anti-cholinergic drugs can relax smooth muscle which is found in the walls of internal organs this relaxation effect can be useful in treating conditions like gastrointestinal
cramps and urinary incontinence research has increasingly indicated a potential link between the prolong use of anti- energic drugs and an elevated risk of developing dementia this Association is particularly concerning because these drugs are widely prescribed especially among older adults who are already at a higher risk for dementia the primary concern lies in the mechanism of action of these drugs by inhibiting acetyl choline which is crucial for cognitive processes like memory and learning anti-cholinergic drugs can have short-term effects like confusion and reduce mental Clarity when used over a long period these effects May contribute to or
accelerate the decline in cognitive functions potentially leading to dementia several studies have shed light on this Association for example a notable study published in jamama Internal Medicine found that participants who use strong anti-cholinergic drugs daily for 3 years or more had a 54% higher risk for developing dementia compared to those who took the same dose for 3 months or less results also suggested that the risk for dementia with anti-cholinergic remain even after drug discontinuation some anti-cholinergic drugs linked to dementia risk include number one allergy and cold medications these include the popular drug badril with the
generic name of dyen hydramine other drugs with dyen hydramine are those with PM like Tylenol PM Advil PM and Alive PM other drugs in this category include carbinoxamine chloramine chistine hydroxyzine promethazine and cyproheptadine some natural ways to manage allergy and cold symptoms are one nasal irrigation using a Seline solution with a Netty Pot or nasal spray can help clear nasal passages relieve nasal congestion and remove allergens and irritants two honey consuming local raw honey before allergy season is in full swing is believed to help with allergies as it contains Trace Amounts of local pollen which
might help your immune system adapt to these allergens three quatin an natural plant pigment found in foods like onions apples and berries coratin is said to have anti-histamine properties that can help reduce allergy symptoms four probiotics these beneficial bacteria found in foods like yogurt and cfir or in supplement form can support the immune system and potentially improve allergy symptoms five steam inhalation inhaling steam can help EAS congestion and sinus discomfort adding eucalyptus oil or Menthol to the water can enhance this effect six acupuncture some people find relief from allergy symptoms through acupuncture a traditional Chinese
medicine technique if you have Ragweed allergy avoid bananas melons cucumbers zucchinis and sunflower seeds as they can trigger an allergic response in your system our next anti-cholinergic drugs linked to dementia are medications for overactive bladder or OAB these include oxybutinin Ditropan Oxytrol tolterodine detrol and Solen vacare here are some natural alternatives for managing overactive bladder one pelvic floor exercises kles strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can help control urination and reduce the urgency and frequency of OAB kle exercises are particularly effective for this two bladder training this involves gradually increasing the time between urination to train
your bladder to hold urine longer and reduce episodes of urgency three dietary changes avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine alcohol spicy foods and acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes can help reduce OAB symptoms four mindbody techniques Stress Management and relaxation techniques such as yoga meditation and deep breathing exercises can help reduce bladder urgency caused by stress five biof feedback this technique uses electronic devices to help you gain awareness and control over pelvic floor muscles third on our list are muscle relaxants these include cyclobenzaprine Flexeril and orphenadrine Norflex here are some natural alternatives for managing muscle
spasms one massage massaging the affected muscle can help relieve a spasm by increasing blood flow and relaxing the muscle two magnesium supplementation magnesium works as a natural calcium blocker to regulate muscle contractions and help muscles relax magnesium deficiency can cause muscles to contract too much three Herbal Remedies certain herbs like chamomile which has natural muscle relaxing properties can be taken as a tea other herbs like valarian root and passion flour are also known for their muscle relaxing effects four essential oils some essential oils like peppermint and lavender are believed to help relax muscles when massaged
into the skin diluted in a carrier oil five regular stretching gentle stretching exercises can help alleviate and prevent muscle spasms yoga and pilates are good options for incorporating regular stretching into your routine next on our list are medications for gastrointestinal disorders these include hyamine lein dicyclomine bental propantheline prob banthine some natural alternatives for managing gastrointestinal disorders include one Ginger known for its anti-nausea properties Ginger can be consumed in various forms such as tea capsules or fresh to help with digestive discomfort two probiotics these beneficial bacteria found in yogurt Keir sauerkraut and supplements can help balance
gut Flora improving digestion and alleviating some GI symptoms three apple cider vinegar some people find relief from digestive issues with apple cider vinegar which is thought to Aid digestion it should be diluted in water before consumption four herbal teas certain herbal teas such as peppermint Ginger and chamomile are known for their soothing effects on the digestive system five peppermint oil peppermint oil often taken in capsule form has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome IBS our next anticholinergic drugs linked to dementia are medications for Parkinson's Disease these include triex fenil
arane benene centin amantadine symmetrel procyclidine kadrin natural alternatives for managing Parkinson's disease symptoms focus on supporting overall health and potentially alleviating some symptoms here are some natural strategies one regular exercise exercises like water aerobics and those that focus on balance and flexibility like yoga and taiichi can help improve motor function balance and overall quality of life two acupuncture some individuals with Parkinson's find relief from certain symptoms like pain and stiffness through acupuncture three massage massage can help alleviate muscle tension and improve relaxation which might be beneficial for some Parkinson's symptoms four physical therapy A specialized
program called lsvt Big program is designed for Parkinson's patients that focuses on making bigger and more controlled movements to counteract the slow small movements typical in Parkinson's five speech therapy for speech difficulties working with a speech therapist therapist can be beneficial some natural exercises and techniques can help improve voice control and swallowing number six are medications for depression and mental health disorders tricyclic anti-depressants these include amitryptiline alavil imipramine tanel and oxyen sinquin some natural alternatives for managing depression and mental health disorders include one regular exercise physical activity particularly aerobic exercise like walking running cycling or
swimming has been shown to have a significant positive effect on mood and can alleviate symptoms of depression two cognitive behavioral therapy CBT although not a natural remedy in the traditional sense CBT is a non-pharmacological treatment option that can be highly effective in managing depression and anxiety it involves working with a therapist to identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors three social support engaging in social activities maintaining relationships and seeking support from friends and family can provide emotional benefits and alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation four healthy diet a diet rich in fruits vegetables whole
grains lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish flax seeds and walnuts can support brain health and improve mood five herbal supplements some herbs such as St John's wart saffron and Sam e have been studied for their potential effects on depression though it's crucial to discuss with the healthc care provider before starting any supplement as they can interact with medications it's important to note however that these natural approaches can complement but not always replace traditional Medical Treatments especially moderate to severe cases consultation with Health Care Professionals is crucial next up are medications for motion
sickness these include Meine antivert Bonine and scopolamine transm scop some natural remedies for motion sickness include one Ginger Ginger is one of the most well-known natural remedies for motion sickness it can be taken in various forms such as ginger tea capsules or fresh ginger root to help alleviate nausea two acupressure wristbands these wristbands apply pressure to specific points on the wrist the P6 or nyquan Point believed to reduce nausea and vomiting three peppermint peppermint in the form of tea or essential oil can have a soothing effect on the stomach and help reduce the sensation of
nausea four controlled breathing practicing deep slow breathing can help reduce the feeling of nausea and calm your stomach five positioning in the vehicle in a car sitting in the front seat and looking forward can help on a boat staying in the Middle where there's less motion and on a plane choosing a seat over the wings or toward the front where there's less turbulence can be beneficial and now number eight are medications for insomnia doxylamine Unisom vix NyQuil some natural remedies for insomnia include one relaxation techniques mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises can reduce stress and
induce relaxation two herbal teas chamomile valarian root and lavender teas can have a calming effect three regular exercise engaging in regular physical activity especially in the morning or afternoon can improve Sleep Quality avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime four supplements melatonin a hormone that regulates the sleep wake cycle can be taken as a supplement but consult with your health care provider first before starting five sleep hygiene improvements keeping a consistent sleep schedule and comfortable sleep environment can help improve Sleep Quality as we wrap up our discussion today on medications that can cause dementia it's important
to remember that medication while crucial for many health conditions always comes with with its own set of considerations the link between certain medications and dementia risk as we've explored highlights the delicate balance in Medical Treatments especially for older adults regular review of medication regimens consideration of alternative therapies and close monitoring for cognitive changes are key steps in mitigating potential risks remember if you or a loved one are currently taking any of the medications we've discussed it is advisable not to stop them abruptly but to consult with Healthcare Prof professionals Physicians might consider alternative medications with
a lower anti-cholinergic burden or adjust dosages accordingly to minimize risk and before you go don't forget to hit the like button and subscribe to our channel for more content that helps you stay informed about your health and well-being stay aware and stay informed thank you for watching and we'll see you in the next video