I am 77 years old and my pharmacist told me that taking an omega-3 supplement would reduce my risk dementia. Is it true?
Dr. Ellie Cannon answers: There is evidence that fish oil – which contains omega -3 – can reduce the risk of dementia, but there are other more important stages, which should be taken to avoid brain disease.
We still do not know why dementia – whose most common form is Alzheimer’s disease – occurs. And there are no effective treatments.
But there is solid evidence that certain lifestyle changes can considerably reduce the risk of diagnosis in the first place.
In fact, according to the Lancet Commission, a group of dementia researchers who regularly publish a report establishing the measures that patients can take to avoid the disease, almost half of the cases are avoidable.
There is evidence that fish oil – which contains omega -3 – can reduce the risk of dementia, but there are other more important stages, which should be taken to avoid brain disease
Their research shows that not smoking, reducing alcohol Consumption, weight loss, exercise and socialization regularly (to promote cerebral stimulation) can all reduce the risk of diagnosis, as is the reduction in cholesterol levels and the fight against high blood pressure.
If necessary, obtaining hearing aid and effective glasses also help protect patients from dementia because they prevent the brain from tightening and people feel more able to socialize.
There is proof more and more than a Mediterranean diet lowers the risk of dementia. This involves eating a lot of fruits and vegetables while avoiding processed foods and excessive quantities of red meat. It also includes a large amount of fatty fish, which means that omega -3 – long with an improved brain function – is also crucial.
And it is true that obtaining omega-3 of an supplement is just as healthy as eating fish. However, the Mediterranean regime and omega-3 are not included in the Lancet Commission’s anti-decline measures.
Although there are no drawbacks to take a daily supplement of “healthy fat”, patients who wish to avoid dementia should focus on more important lifestyle changes such as those suggested above by the Lancet committee.
I recently undergone radiotherapy for prostate cancer. It left me problems with intestine and bladder, but I feel too embarrassed to see my general practitioner. What would you advise?
Dr. Ellie answers: Unfortunately, the problems of the intestine and the bladder are common side effects of prostate radiotherapy, but there are ways to manage them.
The prostate gland – where sperm is produced – is close to the intestine and the bladder, so that radiotherapy can damage them.
My intestine was right on the juice regime
I have always been skeptical about the so-called juice cleansing, where you only consume mixed fruits and vegetables, supposedly to eliminate toxins.
The idea, which has long been popular on social networks, has always seemed eccentric.
Now, a study shows that not only are these diets useless, but they can actually be harmful.
Italian researchers have studied the impact of a juice cleaning of three days on volunteers and, in the end, they had higher levels of intestinal bacteria associated with inflammation.
This suggests that cleaning juice has disturbed the microbiome – billions of bacteria in the intestine – and can even damage the stomach.
This could be due to the fact that fruit and vegetable juices are rich in sugar and acid, which can be harmful for the stomach lining.
Have you ever fell ill following juice cleaning? Please use the e-mail address below to let me know.
Common symptoms are diarrhea, excessive wind, pain and bleeding in the rear passage, as well as urinary and fecal incontinence.
For many men, symptoms settle in a few months after the end of treatment, but for some, they can persist longer.
It is important that patients who experience these symptoms see a doctor because they may not be linked to radiotherapy. For example, bleeding from the rectum can be a sign of an infection or even intestinal cancer.
There are drugs that general practitioners can prescribe to control diarrhea and slow intestinal stools. They can also refer patients to a local continence service with nurses who deal with people with intestinal problems. This could mean suggesting lifestyle changes – for example, eating low fiber food such as white rice and potatoes to reduce the emergency of stool.
There are also exercises that patients can do to improve their urinary incontinence. If these steps fail, nurses can provide incontinence pads that hide the problem. Intestinal problems can be embarrassing and often cause social isolation while patients are worried about leaving the house.
My bleeding and very painful eye. Analgesic drops do not seem to help. What should I do?
Dr. Ellie answers: Anyone with bleeding of the eye or intense pain must be an urgentist a specialist because their vision can be at risk.
One of the most common causes of eye bleeding is a glass hemorrhage (bursting of blood vessels) but it is generally not painful. Instead, patients experience problems such as floats – small dark spots in vision. An optician or an ophthalmologist can check.
Glaucoma (one of the most common causes of loss of sight) can trigger eye pain but not generally bleeding. It is at this moment that the optic nerve connecting the eye and the brain is damaged, resulting in a loss of sight. It usually takes time but acute glaucoma closure can take a few days, causes severe eye pain and requires urgent medical care to avoid loss of vision.
Another problem that causes severe eye pain is optical neuritis – inflammation of the nerve at the back of the eye which can be an early sign of sclerosis in progressive autoimmune plates.
But it is also caused by a virus, like the zona, and if it is not treated, can lead to blindness.
Do you recognize the signs of a mini-coup?
Knowing the signs of a mini-coup is vital, but too few people seem to be aware of what it is.
Also known as transient ischemic attack, it occurs when blood is blocked to reach the brain, but unlike a full -fledged stroke, blocking is only temporary and does not cause permanent brain damage.
The symptoms of a mini-coup include altered speech, weakness of the limbs, dizzy, confusion and serious headaches, and whoever experiences it must go to the hospital.
However, the authors of an American study suggested that some repel a doctor – or do not seek help at all – because the effects are temporary. This is worrying because not only are these patients more at risk of a full -fledged stroke, but they also have a risk of dementia.
Have you undergone a mini-coup? When did you get medical help? Please write using the email address below and let me know.
- Do you have a question for Dr. Ellie Cannon? Send an email to drelie@mailonsunday.co.uk
