{"id":1735033,"date":"2022-11-11T06:30:06","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T11:30:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1735033"},"modified":"2022-11-11T10:04:59","modified_gmt":"2022-11-11T15:04:59","slug":"this-otc-medication-may-spike-your-risk-of-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/this-otc-medication-may-spike-your-risk-of-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"This OTC Medication May Spike Your Risk of Dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthis-otc-medication-may-spike-your-risk-of-dementia%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1735033&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>With no known cure for dementia, researchers, scientists, and the medical community have long been focused on <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/daily-flossing-dementia-prevention-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">preventative measures<\/a> and early diagnosis of this devastating condition. Recognizing the <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/dementia-symptom-people-ignore-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">early symptoms<\/a> is crucial, since a speedy diagnosis allows for the possibility of more effective treatment or management.<\/p>\n<p>Researchers are also learning more about the kinds of foods, drinks, and medications that can potentially spike your risk of dementia\u2014sometimes with surprising results. For example, studies show that <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/diet-soda-dementia-risk-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">drinking diet soda<\/a> and eating <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/processed-food-dementia-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">highly processed foods<\/a> can heighten your risk of cognitive decline. Certain medications may spike your risk, too, including one popular over-the-counter (OTC) drug in particular. Read on to find out what it is.<\/p>\n<p><strong>READ THIS NEXT: <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/antibiotic-cognitive-decline-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">This Common Medication Could Be Hurting Your Brain, New Study Says<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"405254\" class=\"alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405254\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Senior man looking out of a window.\" width=\"1253\" height=\"836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1253w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569-1.jpg, 334&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569-2.jpg, 512&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569-3.jpg, 683&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405254\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Senior man looking out of a window.\" width=\"1253\" height=\"836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1253w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569-1.jpg, 334&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569-2.jpg, 512&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1312993569-3.jpg, 683&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">FG Trade\/iStock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Dementia statistics paint a grim picture, especially given that the effects are so devastating. According to Alzheimer&#8217;s Disease International (ADI), over 55 million people <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.alzint.org\/about\/dementia-facts-figures\/dementia-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\">suffer from dementia worldwide<\/a>, with that number predicted to nearly double every two decades, reaching 139 million in 2050.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Dementia&#8221; is an umbrella term that refers to the cognitive decline that occurs with many different diseases, including Alzheimer&#8217;s, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. &#8220;Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/dementia\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20352013\" target=\"_blank\">connections in the brain<\/a>,&#8221; explains the Mayo Clinic. &#8220;Depending on the area of the brain that&#8217;s damaged, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"405253\" class=\"alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405253\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Doctor speaking to senior patient.\" width=\"1361\" height=\"770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1361w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980-1.jpg, 283&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980-2.jpg, 435&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980-3.jpg, 579&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405253\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Doctor speaking to senior patient.\" width=\"1361\" height=\"770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1361w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980-1.jpg, 283&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980-2.jpg, 435&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-871584980-3.jpg, 579&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Tinpixels\/iStock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&#8220;Dementia mainly affects older people, although there is a growing awareness of cases that start before the age of 65,&#8221; says ADI. The Mayo Clinic lists some <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/dementia\/symptoms-causes\/syc-20352013\" target=\"_blank\">other risk factors<\/a> that can&#8217;t be changed in addition to age, including having a family history of the condition.<\/p>\n<p>Many other factors can lead to cognitive decline, including <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/drugs-supplements\/info-2017\/caution-these-10-drugs-can-cause-memory-loss.html\" target=\"_blank\">alcohol and drug abuse<\/a>, tobacco use, head injuries, stroke, lack of sleep, stress, and vitamin deficiency, the experts at AARP write. The site also notes that various prescription drugs can have a negative affect on your brain health.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"405251\" class=\"alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405251\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Doctor using a digital tablet to discuss a brain scan.\" width=\"1254\" height=\"837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1254w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734-1.jpg, 334&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734-2.jpg, 513&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734-3.jpg, 683&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405251\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Doctor using a digital tablet to discuss a brain scan.\" width=\"1254\" height=\"837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1254w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734-1.jpg, 334&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734-2.jpg, 513&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-1297589734-3.jpg, 683&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Charday Penn\/iStock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Antihistamines are one type of medication that may increase the risk of dementia. &#8220;Antihistamines are a <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/drugs\/21223-antihistamines\" target=\"_blank\">class of drugs<\/a> commonly used to treat symptoms of allergies,&#8221; explains the Cleveland Clinic. &#8220;These drugs help treat conditions caused by too much histamine, a chemical created by your body&#8217;s immune system.&#8221;<span aria-hidden=\"true\">ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Antihistamines may be <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/otc-medication-dementia-news\/\" target=\"_blank\">linked to cognitive decline<\/a> because of how they affect acetylcholine. &#8220;Acetylcholine is a type of chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter, that <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-acetylcholine-2794810\" target=\"_blank\">plays a vital role<\/a> in the central and peripheral nervous system,&#8221; according to Verywell Mind. &#8220;It is important for muscle control, autonomic body functions, and in learning, memory, and attention.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>One antihistamine that is thought to have an effect on this chemical messenger is the popular OTC drug Benadryl.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>For more health news sent directly to your inbox, <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/newsletters\/\" target=\"_blank\">sign up for our daily newsletter<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"405250\" class=\"alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405250\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Pink antihistamine capsules in blister pack.\" width=\"1254\" height=\"837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1254w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758-1.jpg, 334&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758-2.jpg, 513&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758-3.jpg, 683&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload alignnone size-full wp-image-405250\" src=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all\" alt=\"Pink antihistamine capsules in blister pack.\" width=\"1254\" height=\"837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bestlifeonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758.jpg?quality=82&#038;strip=all 1254w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758-1.jpg, 334&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 500w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758-2.jpg, 513&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/iStock-584201758-3.jpg, 683&#038;quality=82&#038;strip=all 1024w\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">EHStock\/iStock<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Benadryl is an anticholinergic medication, which means it blocks the effects of acetylcholine. Because &#8220;acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is important for cognitive function, it plays a key role in memory and learning,&#8221; <strong>Alice Williams<\/strong>, MD, a physician <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"http:\/\/dralicewilliams.com\" target=\"_blank\">based in Las Vegas<\/a>, tells <em>Best Life<\/em>. &#8220;Thus, when Benadryl blocks the effects of acetylcholine, it can interfere with memory and learning.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>A study published in <em>JAMA Internal Medicine<\/em> found that &#8220;higher, cumulative anticholinergic use is associated with an <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamainternalmedicine\/fullarticle\/2091745\" target=\"_blank\">increased risk for dementia<\/a>,&#8221; advising that &#8220;Efforts to increase awareness among health care professionals and older adults about this potential medication-related risk are important to minimize anticholinergic use over time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>AARP lists <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer external\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/health\/drugs-supplements\/info-2017\/caution-these-10-drugs-can-cause-memory-loss.html\" target=\"_blank\">alternatives to\u00a0Benadryl<\/a>, including Vistaril, Clistin, and Dimetane. &#8220;Newer-generation antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are better tolerated by older patients and do not present the same risks to memory and cognition,&#8221; they write.<\/p>\n<p><em>Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not meant to be a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to the medication you&#8217;re taking or any other health questions you have, always consult your healthcare provider directly.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With no known cure for dementia, researchers, scientists, and the medical community have long been focused on preventative measures and early diagnosis of this devastating condition. Recognizing the early<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1735036,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1735033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-bongino-report"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1735033","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1735033"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1735033\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1735036"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1735033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1735033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1735033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}