Dementia: It is Not a Normal Part of Aging

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By Reginia Dodson | UAB Community Health and Human Services Intern

Photo by t4hlil on Pexels.com

With this disease becoming more and more common in the United States of America, people tend to think it is a normal part of aging when it is not. Dementia is at an all-time high today in the elderly community and is common in those at least 65. There were an estimated 5.0 million adults with dementia in 2014, projected to be nearly 14 million by 2060 (CDC, 2022).  Honestly, this may be one of the most heartbreaking disorders because it doesn’t only affect the person with the disorder but also the person’s loved ones. Watching a parent or grandparent slowly forget everything is a hard pill to swallow. Forgetting memories is tough, but it may not be as bad if you compare it to forgetting how to take care of yourself, forgetting your name, forgetting your family/friends, or even forgetting what year it is.

There are some risk factors when it comes to dementia. The first risk of dementia is age. The most substantial known risk factor for dementia is increasing age, with most cases affecting those 65 years and older. There also seems to be a link in heritage regarding dementia. Those with parents or siblings with dementia are more likely to develop dementia themselves. Some races or ethnic groups have a higher chance of developing dementia. Older African Americans are twice more likely to have dementia than whites. Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely to have dementia than whites. A person’s heart health has also put a highlight on dementia.  High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking increase the risk of dementia if not appropriately treated. Lastly, another major contributor to dementia is a traumatic head injury, mainly if it occurs repeatedly (CDC, 2022). Sadly, there is no cure for dementia. Only a matter of keeping that person comfortable or in a calm state.

References

What is dementia? | CDC. (2022, October 5). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html

Do You Know the Impact of Social Media on Children?

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By Terrie Johnson | UAB Community Health & Human Services Intern

Photo by Ron Lach on Pexels.com

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, revolutionizing how we communicate. However, the time children spend on social media increases, which causes concerns among parents and educators. This article discusses the potential effects of social media on children’s mental and physical health, so it can help you evaluate your knowledge regarding this topic.

Many believe that excessive use of social media can cause mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress in children. Fortunately, people who think so are likely wrong since most studies found no link between using social media and developing depression or increasing symptoms (Hartanto et al., 2021). Using social media also does not contribute to the development of anxiety and psychological distress in children. However, when a child spends too much time on social media or shares excessive personal data, their parents should be concerned. Most studies are consistent in their conclusions regarding strong associations between addiction to social media and depression in adolescents (Keles et al., 2020). Although social media cannot cause mental health disorders, excessive use might indicate depression.

The negative impact of social media on children’s mental health might be exaggerated, but other concerns are more reasonable. They include risks associated with cybersecurity since children are more vulnerable to online predators and scams, which endangers their safety and privacy. Moreover, social media might expose excessive personal information, resulting in identity theft. Other concerns are associated with excessive online time because it can reduce children’s physical activity. Hence, parents and educators must promote a healthy lifestyle and responsible social media use to mitigate these risks.

Despite the concerns regarding the impact of social media on children’s mental health, using it cannot cause mental disorders or contribute to their development. However, parents should consider the time spent on social media and activities to ensure their child is not exposed to risks associated with addiction or lack of cybersecurity. By promoting responsible social media use among children, educators and parents can minimize these risks and help children benefit from the positive aspects of social media use.


References

Hartanto, A., Quek, F.Y.X., Tng, G.Y.X., & Yong, J.C. (2021). Does Social Media Use Increase Depressive Symptoms? A Reverse Causation Perspective. Frontiers Psychiatry, 12. Doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.641934/

Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2020). A Systematic Review: the Influence of Social Media on Depression, Anxiety and Psychological Distress in Adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79-93. Doi: 10.1080/02673843.2019.1590851