Millions take this over-the-counter pill without knowing its potential link to dementia
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In seeking relief from seasonal allergies, many Australians reach for a common remedy found in medicine cabinets across the country.
These over-the-counter medications are a go-to solution for sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes.
However, recent research has raised concerns about the long-term use of these drugs and their potential link to an increased risk of dementia.
A Harvard University expert has sounded the alarm, urging those with allergies to consider alternatives to antihistamines.
Dr Anthony L Komaroff, a seasoned family doctor and editor-in-chief of the Harvard Health Letter, has highlighted studies suggesting that these medications could block a protective chemical in the brain that helps ward off dementia.
The concern centres around the fact that many antihistamines are also anticholinergics, a class of drugs that interfere with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain.
Acetylcholine is vital for memory and cognitive function, and reduced levels of this chemical have been linked to dementia.
Dr Komaroff, reflecting on the research, admits that while the risk is still theoretical, it has led him to reconsider his use of these drugs.
He now weighs the symptom relief against the possibility of an increased risk of cognitive decline, opting for the lowest effective dose and exploring alternative treatments.
As we approach the peak of allergy season, it's important to note that a significant portion of the population relies on antihistamines for relief.
Here in Australia, for example, approximately one in five adults suffer from hay fever, especially during the spring and summer months when pollen counts are high.
A 2015 study tracked the brain health of over 3,400 participants aged 65 and older for nearly two decades, finding a correlation between higher doses of anticholinergics and the development of dementia.
More recently, a 2024 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database to reveal a dose-dependent increase in dementia risk among hay fever patients who took antihistamines.
It's not just hay fever medications that fall under the anticholinergic umbrella.
Other commonly taken medications include treatments for urinary incontinence, nausea, muscle tension, Parkinson's disease, and some sleep medications.
A British study involving over a million people found that taking anticholinergic drugs was linked to an 18 per cent increased risk of a dementia diagnosis, with men being slightly more vulnerable than women.
Dementia is a complex condition with various causes, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, which results from reduced blood flow to the brain following a stroke.
With an aging population, the costs associated with dementia are expected to rise dramatically.
The Department of Treasury estimated the cost of dementia to be at A$18.7 billion this year.
Early symptoms of dementia include memory problems, difficulties with thinking and reasoning, and language issues, which progressively worsen over time.
Dementia has been the leading cause of death for women since 2016, making up 12.2 per cent of female deaths and 6.4 per cent of male deaths in 2023.
Given these findings, it's crucial for individuals, particularly seniors who are more susceptible to dementia, to be informed about the medications they take.
If you or a loved one frequently use antihistamines, discussing the potential risks with your healthcare provider and exploring alternative treatments for allergy relief may be wise.
In other news, lifestyle choices, genetics, and other factors at 60 can help predict brain health and dementia risk at 80.
Staying physically active and engaging in mentally stimulating hobbies may lower the risk of cognitive decline, while a sedentary lifestyle and lack of mental stimulation may increase it. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
Have you found effective alternatives to antihistamines, or are you concerned about the potential risks associated with these medications? Let's start a conversation and support each other in making informed health choices.
These over-the-counter medications are a go-to solution for sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes.
However, recent research has raised concerns about the long-term use of these drugs and their potential link to an increased risk of dementia.
A Harvard University expert has sounded the alarm, urging those with allergies to consider alternatives to antihistamines.
Dr Anthony L Komaroff, a seasoned family doctor and editor-in-chief of the Harvard Health Letter, has highlighted studies suggesting that these medications could block a protective chemical in the brain that helps ward off dementia.
The concern centres around the fact that many antihistamines are also anticholinergics, a class of drugs that interfere with the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain.
Antihistamines were suggested to increase dementia risk, but evidence remains inconclusive. Credit: VistaCreate
Acetylcholine is vital for memory and cognitive function, and reduced levels of this chemical have been linked to dementia.
Dr Komaroff, reflecting on the research, admits that while the risk is still theoretical, it has led him to reconsider his use of these drugs.
He now weighs the symptom relief against the possibility of an increased risk of cognitive decline, opting for the lowest effective dose and exploring alternative treatments.
As we approach the peak of allergy season, it's important to note that a significant portion of the population relies on antihistamines for relief.
Here in Australia, for example, approximately one in five adults suffer from hay fever, especially during the spring and summer months when pollen counts are high.
A 2015 study tracked the brain health of over 3,400 participants aged 65 and older for nearly two decades, finding a correlation between higher doses of anticholinergics and the development of dementia.
More recently, a 2024 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology used data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database to reveal a dose-dependent increase in dementia risk among hay fever patients who took antihistamines.
It's not just hay fever medications that fall under the anticholinergic umbrella.
Other commonly taken medications include treatments for urinary incontinence, nausea, muscle tension, Parkinson's disease, and some sleep medications.
A British study involving over a million people found that taking anticholinergic drugs was linked to an 18 per cent increased risk of a dementia diagnosis, with men being slightly more vulnerable than women.
Dementia is a complex condition with various causes, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, which results from reduced blood flow to the brain following a stroke.
With an aging population, the costs associated with dementia are expected to rise dramatically.
The Department of Treasury estimated the cost of dementia to be at A$18.7 billion this year.
Early symptoms of dementia include memory problems, difficulties with thinking and reasoning, and language issues, which progressively worsen over time.
Dementia has been the leading cause of death for women since 2016, making up 12.2 per cent of female deaths and 6.4 per cent of male deaths in 2023.
Given these findings, it's crucial for individuals, particularly seniors who are more susceptible to dementia, to be informed about the medications they take.
If you or a loved one frequently use antihistamines, discussing the potential risks with your healthcare provider and exploring alternative treatments for allergy relief may be wise.
In other news, lifestyle choices, genetics, and other factors at 60 can help predict brain health and dementia risk at 80.
Staying physically active and engaging in mentally stimulating hobbies may lower the risk of cognitive decline, while a sedentary lifestyle and lack of mental stimulation may increase it. You can read more about it here.
Credit: YouTube
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