In the afternoon, Uncle Zhang sat in a rocking chair at home, looking out the window at the dense plane trees. The old wife brought a cup of warm tea and found that his eyes were a little confused. "What's wrong?" asked my wife. Uncle Zhang shook his head: "I just came back from the hospital, and the doctor said that I had a little brain atrophy. "
The wife was stunned, and then smiled and comforted: "So what, let's take our time, won't it be good to treat?" Uncle Zhang nodded, but he didn't feel good in his heart.
In fact, brain atrophy is not uncommon in older age groups, and many families may face the same situation. Therefore, it is particularly important to understand brain atrophy and recognize it early and take measures.
1. The concept and classification of cerebral atrophy
Brain atrophy sounds like an old thing that is fading away under the polish of time, but in fact it is really related to old age, but it is by no means as simple as simply aging.
In medicine, cerebral atrophy refers to the reduction of the volume or mass of the brain, and in a broad sense, it includes physiological brain atrophy that occurs naturally with age and pathological brain atrophy caused by disease.
For the elderly, physiological brain atrophy is like a wrinkle carved on the forehead by the years, it is an irresistible natural law, it usually does not cause obvious symptoms, but if it progresses too quickly, or appears at an age that should not be, it needs to be vigilant.
Pathological brain atrophy is quite intractable, and it can be caused by Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, or even long-term malnutrition. Pathological cerebral atrophy is like an uninvited guest, which is not only rude, but also makes waves in the brain.
2. Early identification and symptoms of brain atrophy
The early signs of brain atrophy are often as elusive as a sneaking cat. At first, individuals may be unaware of this, but family and friends can notice a slight difference.
It is not uncommon to hear elderly people complain that they can't find their glasses, but the glasses are hanging on their chests, or they start to forget the freshly cooked rice so often that the pot is overly "enjoyed" on the fire.
At first glance, these symptoms may only lead to a joke: "This old man, he is confused again!" But in fact, this is a sign that brain atrophy is quietly coming.
Memory loss, especially recent memory, is often the earliest symptom. It's not just forgetting where you put your keys, but it can also include forgetting your loved one's birthday or even your own important anniversary.
As the disease progressed, the decline in thinking skills also crept in. Older people may be slow to respond to common problems, have weakened computing skills, and even struggle to make simple daily decisions.
It's not just a matter of "forgetfulness", but the number of nerve cells in the brain is gradually decreasing, and their ability to speak, move, and even live independently will be affected.
3. Scientific use of drugs to improve brain metabolism
In the face of cerebral atrophy, especially pathological cerebral atrophy, scientific and rational use of drugs for intervention is a common strategy adopted by the current medical community.
Although there is no complete cure for cerebral atrophy, appropriate drug use can effectively alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and even delay the progression of the disease to a certain extent.
First of all, drugs that improve cerebral circulation play an important role in treatment. Flunarizine and nicergoline are two widely used medications.
Flunarizine protects brain cells from further damage by regulating calcium ion channels, enhancing blood flow to the brain and improving the state of insufficient blood supply.
Niergoline further promotes the metabolic activity of the brain by dilating blood vessels and enhancing the absorption of oxygen and glucose by brain cells. The application of these two drugs can be said to provide some support for the alleviation of cerebral ischemia in clinical practice.
Secondly, for the improvement of energy metabolism, the supplementation of B vitamins (especially vitamins B1, B12 and folic acid) should not be ignored. These vitamins are not only involved in the energy metabolism process of nerve cells, but also help maintain the normal function of the nervous system.
For example, vitamin B12 deficiency is clearly associated with cognitive decline, and supplementation with these vitamins can help reduce symptoms such as memory loss.
4. Measures to prevent and improve brain atrophy in daily life
In addition to medication, lifestyle modifications are essential to prevent and improve brain atrophy. Studies have shown that cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health directly affects brain function, so controlling risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc.) is an important step in preventing brain atrophy.
In addition, increasing mental activities, such as reading, writing, playing chess and cards, etc., can effectively activate the brain and delay the aging process.
A balanced diet should not be neglected either. Proper nutrient intake, especially foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish oil), can help maintain brain health.
Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids promote synapse formation in the brain and play an important role in brain messaging. At the same time, maintaining good sleep habits and moderate exercise are also important means of maintaining brain health.
Medication and modification of daily lifestyle are comprehensive strategies to prevent and improve brain atrophy. In terms of drug treatment, interventions are carried out in terms of cerebral circulation, energy metabolism and nutrient supply;
In daily life, it is necessary to pay attention to controlling the risk factors of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, maintain good diet and rest habits, and increase mental activities and physical exercise to maintain brain health. Improves nerve conduction function, which helps protect the brain from the effects of aging.
5. Special causes and treatment of pathological brain atrophy
Pathological brain atrophy is different from the physiological phenomenon in the natural aging process, and it usually involves specific disease factors, including Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, long-term malnutrition, etc.
In these cases, brain atrophy often occurs due to damage or death of neurons, which are lost and cannot regenerate, which directly affects the function of the brain.
In terms of genetic factors, specific genetic mutations can increase the risk of certain neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. In addition, trauma, meningitis, brain tumors, etc., may also cause brain tissue damage, which in turn can lead to brain atrophy.
In these cases, management strategies need to be targeted, combining medications, rehabilitation, and other possible medical interventions.
For example, for cerebral atrophy caused by cerebrovascular disease, in addition to drugs that improve cerebral blood flow, it is necessary to closely monitor and control underlying diseases such as blood pressure and blood sugar.
Although there is no cure for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, chelating agents and anticholinesterase drugs can be used to alleviate cognitive symptoms and improve patients' ability to live in daily life.
summary
As a common disease in the elderly, the impact of brain atrophy is multifaceted. Medication is basic when it comes to dealing with brain atrophy, but it's only the tip of the iceberg.
Lifestyle adjustment, balanced nutrition, psychological care and social support all play a crucial role in this. Especially for pathological brain atrophy, a personalized treatment plan and comprehensive management are imperative.
In the face of cerebral atrophy, there should be no abandonment, scientific treatment, and active treatment are the responsibilities and responsibilities that each of us should have.