Tag: Dementia

The dangers of heatwaves

Heatwaves – a double ended sword

Although we have all been enjoying the glorious sunshine, the rise in temperature not only causes sun burn to your skin, but it can also harm our mental health.

Hotter temperatures increase the level of the stress hormone- cortisol and there’s also evidence that our bodies produce more adrenaline and testosterone in warmer temperatures, which can make people more aggressive and make violent behaviour more likely.

Those with dementia or other serious mental illnesses are also more at risk due to their limited ability of elf care. Certain psychiatric medications can also inhibit temperature regulation, making dangerous heatstroke more likely.

So remember, if the temperatures continue to rise, try to make the time to reach out to the vulnerable and ill and… keep yourself cool!

To find out more or have your say click here.

Evidence based summaries

Recent research and reports

Should antidepressants be used for major depressive disorder? Jakobsen JC. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine 2020;25(4):130.
The benefits of antidepressants seem to be minimal and possibly without any importance to the average patient with major depressive disorder. Antidepressants should not be used for adults with major depressive disorder before valid evidence has shown that the potential beneficial effects outweigh the harmful effects.

Clinical pathways as a mobile device. Please log in via Athens to access the whole article. Barrett J. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine 2020;25(4):131-137.
Overall, this project supports the development of a mobile application based on the design principles used in the clinical pathways. Providers did indeed use the clinical pathways. They found the pathways easy to use and helped provide evidence-based care in clinical practice. While the iPad was useful for some participants, a small sized tablet and phone would be preferred by others. Future work will be undertaken on mobile application development using multiple screen sizes.

Dementia prevention, intervention and care. The Lancet 2020;:doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6. Excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, and air pollution have been added to the list of potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. Together the 12 listed modifiable risk factors account for around 40% of worldwide dementia’s.