Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are medications that are commonly taken every day for relief from things like heartburn and acid reflux. Over the years, researchers have discovered that there seems to be a link between the use of these medications and early deaths due to various medical conditions.

The latest discovery by researchers shows that there seems to be a link between PPIs and memory loss. More specifically, if you have taken this type of medication regularly for a few years you could beat greater risk for developing dementia. The results from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health have been published in the journal Neurology.

How significant is the risk? Let’s just say that the research shows individuals over 45 who take PPIs for 4 consecutive years increase their risk of dementia by 33%. However, it is important to understand that these are initial results and that more research is still needed. The study doesn’t prove that PPIs causedementia but shows that there is a connection between them.

Understanding Dementia

Dementia is a general term that refers to neurological conditions that impair brain function in different ways over time. This condition makes it tough to remember things, develop full thought patterns, and even make it through daily living skills. Dementia has been known to disrupt emotions and can cause personality changes, too.

Most people believe that dementia is only about forgetting names and places. In reality, it is so much more. Signs of dementia include:

●    Misplacing common items

●    Forgetting various routine information

●    Not knowing the time of year or the date

●    Inability to come up with the right words

●    Changes in mood and behavior

●    Disturbances in sleep patterns

●    Difficulty with problem-solving

●    Increased anxiety and depression

●    Confusion

●    Hallucinations

As dementia progresses, so do the symptoms. Each person will have a different experience with the condition based on the areas of the brain that are impacted.

Causes of Dementia

The cause of dementia is not always known. Skilled healthcare professionals can link certain brain activity and changes to dementia, but their cause cannot always be determined.

Certain scenarios can result in an individual experiencing dementia-like symptoms. With the right attention, they can be stopped or reversed. What conditions are to blame?

●    Heavy use of alcohol

●    Vitamin deficiency

●    Side effects of certain medications

●    High levels of stress and anxiety

●    Brain infections

●    Blood clots in the brain

●    Head injuries

●    Thyroid conditions

Treating Memory Loss

In some instances, there is no effective treatment for memory loss. Though, for many, it all comes down to finding the root cause. Is it due to certain medications like PPIs? Are you struggling with memory loss due to your thyroid? Or could you be deficient in a certain vitamin?

Many things can be done in Stuart, FL to reverse the symptoms you are having and find restoration for your mind. Getting to the root cause of the condition allows you to find full-body healing and wellness, rather than treating the symptoms.

The more you know and understand dementia and how it relates to you, the greater chance you will have of finding the treatment that will give you the results you are looking for.

‍