Anticholinergic drugs may be increasing your risk of dementia

( Natural News ) Many people still use over-the-counter drugs for treating cold symptoms, such as coughing, headaches, muscle pain, and sleeplessness. However, these drugs are known to have harmful side effects . A study published in the journal JAMA Neurology found a link between over-the-counter anticholinergic drugs and cognitive impairment. Anticholinergics are drugs used to treat various conditions, such as asthma, dizziness, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bladder conditions, digestive problems, and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. They work by blocking the action of acetylcholine , which is a neurotransmitter responsible for sending signals between certain cells that affect certain functions in the body. For the study, a team of researchers at Indiana University looked at the link between anticholinergic drug use and brain function, glucose metabolism, and brain atrophy in healthy older adults. The research team recruited 451 individuals who were 73 years old on average and were drawn from a national Alzheimer’s research project — the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative — and the Indiana Memory and Aging Study . Sixty of the participants were taking at least one medication with medium or high anticholinergic activity. The study was stemmed from previous research done by scientists at the IU Center for Aging Research and Regenstrief Institute that found that drugs with a powerful anticholinergic effect cause cognitive problems when taken for 60 days, while weaker anticholinergic drugs cause impairment within 90 days. 100% organic essential oil sets now available for your home and personal care, including Rosemary, Oregano, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Clary Sage and more, all 100% organic and laboratory tested for safety. A multitude of uses, from stress reduction to topical first aid. See the complete listing here , and help support this news site. The research team evaluated the results of memory and other cognitive tests, […]

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