Managing rheumatology symptoms is not the only thing that you need to be concerned about when you have rheumatoid arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, RA can also be connected to other health issues such as heart disease, lung diseases, eye diseases, and skin rashes, and dementia.
Furthermore, RA has been associated with an increase in the risk of dementia. Conforming to a study published in the journal Cureus in April 2020, having RA increases the risk of dementia development.
Let’s take a look at some of how you can boost brain health when you have rheumatology arthritis
Try To Stay Active
Regular physical activity has been shown to help in keeping blood flow to the brain active. You can be benefitted from as little as 150 minutes of average physical activity per week. Water aerobics may be a good option if joint pain prevents you from exercising. In addition to promoting a healthy heart, regular exercise averts cardiovascular diseases as well.
Follow A Proper Diet
The appropriate nutrients can aid your body’s and mind’s performance. The Mediterranean diet is usually recommended by doctors. That means eating mostly vegetables, seeds, beans, whole grains, fruits, and lean protein like fish, with extra-virgin olive oil as your primary fat source. According to the Arthritis Foundation, this diet is particularly good since it is anti-inflammatory, which means it can significantly lower inflammation levels throughout your body.
Try To Improve Sleep Quality
Make sleep a priority. Consistently getting adequate sleep is beneficial both for your general health and also your brain health. People frequently undervalue the significance of sleep. Aim for a decent night’s sleep of 7-8 hours, ideally undisturbed. A study published in the journal JAMA Neurology in August 2021, specified that short and protracted sleep interruptions were linked to cognitive deterioration in older persons.
Stop Smoking
Smoking harms your lungs as well as hardening and narrowing your arteries, which reduces blood flow. In accord with the work published in The Journal of Rheumatology in the month of April, 2019 smoking is associated with increased disease activity with RA. Another study conducted in September 2018 showed that smoking can raise the probability of dementia.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Moderate or complete abstinence from alcohol is also beneficial to the brain. Steer clear of excessive drinking at all costs. You are allowed to drink one glass of wine every day, but only 5 ounces of wine at a time.
