Essay The Aging Brain - 897 Words

The Aging Brain Why does the human brain age? Brain aging is a part of human life and a big part of society as the awareness for brain aging increases. Over time memory tends to become less efficient as we age and the neurons in the brain decreases (Bendheim, P.E. (2009). By 2050 in the US, 20 percent of the population will be 65 years or older. And as the elderly population increases, so will the incidence of age-related neurological disorders (Perlmutter, David. (2004). Therefor it is important to understand the aging brain, and how to keep the brain functioning as one ages. As age increases, we can expect some loss of heart, lung, joint, and sexual functioning. Some loss of brain cells and mental efficiency is a normal part of†¦show more content†¦In many cases mild age-related memory loss is considered normal, but more severe memory impairments are not. What is a stroke and how is it related to the aging brain? A stroke happens when the blood supply to your brain is inte rrupted or it is reduced, depriving the brain tissues of oxygen and food (Bendheim, P.E. (2009). Within minutes of a stroke brain cells begin to die. Early action can minimize brain damage and potential complications. A stroke can cause temporary or permanent disabilities, depending on how long the brain suffers the lack of blood flow (Perlmutter, David. (2004). Some complications after a stroke are; paralyzation (loss of muscle movement), memory loss, and trouble talking. Paralyzation is due to the lack of blood flow to the brain, a patient can lose movement in one side of the body. Stroke can damage too many parts of the brain, and it can start an early brain aging. A stroke can cause a patient to loss control over the way muscles in the mouth move, have difficult talking and eating (Bendheim, P.E. (2009). But one can try to prevent a stroke by taking care of their high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. Dementia is also part of the aging brain. One in seven people age s 71 and older has dementia, but that figure rises toShow MoreRelatedEffects Of The Normal Aging Process On The Brain995 Words   |  4 PagesSummary One of the side effects of the normal aging process on the brain is the dilapidation of cerebral white matter, which according to previous studies correlates to poorer cognitive functioning. This research experiment is an in-depth study of the neurological components of aging in terms of white matter integrity, working memory, and cognitive function in relation to aerobic exercise. 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