Many of us take medicines to treat everyday health problems like high blood pressure, allergies, or colds. These medications usually help us feel better, but they can also come with side effects.
A recent study from the University of California, San Diego, has found that some commonly used drugs might increase the risk of memory problems, especially in older adults.
The Medications Involved
The study focuses on a group of medications called anticholinergic drugs. These drugs are widely used for a variety of health conditions. They help lower blood pressure, ease allergy symptoms, treat bladder issues, and manage Parkinson’s disease, among other things.
There are around 100 different types of anticholinergic drugs, some of which require a prescription, while others can be bought over-the-counter at any pharmacy.
Study Details
Researchers wanted to understand if these medications had any long-term effects on memory and thinking abilities. The study followed 688 people, all with an average age of 74. When the study began, none of the participants had any problems with memory or thinking.
Participants were asked to report if they were using any anticholinergic drugs regularly, defined as at least once a week for more than six months. The researchers tested the participants’ memory and thinking skills each year for up to 10 years.
About one-third of the group was taking these drugs, and on average, each person was using about five different anticholinergic medications.
The most commonly used drugs in the study were Metoprolol, Atenolol (both for high blood pressure), Loratadine (for allergies), and Bupropion (used for depression and to help people quit smoking).
What Did the Study Find?
The results raised some concerns. People who were taking at least one anticholinergic drug had a 47% higher chance of developing memory problems compared to those who weren’t taking these medications.
Memory problems like these are often early warning signs of more serious conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease.
The study also found that certain people were at an even greater risk. For example, those who already had physical signs of Alzheimer’s disease in their body and were taking anticholinergic drugs were four times more likely to develop memory issues.
Additionally, people who had genes that made them more likely to get Alzheimer’s were 2.5 times more likely to have memory problems if they were taking these drugs.
What Does This Mean for You?
This study highlights the importance of being cautious with certain medications, especially for older adults. While anticholinergic drugs can be helpful for many health conditions, they may also increase the risk of memory problems.
This is particularly concerning for people who are already at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease or other memory-related conditions.
If you are taking any of these medications and are worried about the potential side effects, it might be a good idea to talk to your doctor. They can help you weigh the risks and benefits and may be able to suggest alternative treatments that have fewer effects on memory.
Takeaway
The findings of this study suggest that reducing the use of anticholinergic drugs, especially before memory issues start, could lower the risk of developing memory problems later in life.
This is especially important for those who are already at higher risk of Alzheimer’s or other memory diseases due to genetics or early signs of the condition.
If you’re managing high blood pressure or other conditions with these drugs, it’s also important to pay attention to other research. For example, some studies suggest that certain foods, like beetroot, can help manage high blood pressure naturally.
Additionally, there is research showing that, in some cases, it may be better to wait before starting medications for high blood pressure, as they can sometimes cause more harm than good.
This research, led by Lisa Delano-Wood, was published in the journal Neurology. It serves as an important reminder to be mindful of the medications we take and how they might affect our long-term health, especially as we age.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and flavonoid-rich foods could help prevent dementia.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that cranberries could help boost memory, and how alcohol, coffee and tea intake influence cognitive decline.
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