When we take medicine, we might expect the occasional annoying side effect. But would you expect to take a medication for one health problem only to end up with another?
You could be taking a drug right now that, while it’s taking care of one problem, is setting you up for memory loss, cognitive impairment and quite possibly, Alzheimer’s disease.
This class of drug is prescribed for a wide variety of problems, from depression to urinary incontinence to COPD, and even as a solution for plain old indigestion.
How can one type of drug treat so many different problems, you may ask? And what does it have to do with cognition and Alzheimer’s?
What are anticholinergic drugs?
Anticholinergics are a commonly prescribed group of medications, also called antispasmodics. They treat everything from Parkinson’s to urinary incontinence to COPD and asthma to irritable bowel syndrome.
Some are even available over the counter, for example, in allergy medications.
How can one type of drug treat so many different problems, you may ask?
The answer lies in what anticholinergics do. Essentially, they stop the involuntary nerve impulses that cause things like muscle cramps, urination, coughing and sneezing.
To do this, they block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from binding to receptors on nerve cells.
But acetylcholine is also critical for memory function. That’s why using anticholinergics can put people at higher risk for developing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and ultimately, Alzheimer’s disease.
Research on anticholinergics and Alzheimer’s
At least three recent studies point to a strong connection between anticholinergics and cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s.
In a recently concluded study, 688 adults, some of whom took anticholinergic drugs, were given annual comprehensive cognitive tests for up to 10 years.
People who took the drugs, and who had biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease (such as amyloid plaques and tangles, or specific proteins found in cerebrospinal fluid) were four times more likely to develop MCI than people without biomarkers and not taking the drugs.
Also, people at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s who took anticholinergic drugs were 2.5 times more likely to develop MCI than those without genetic risk factors and who were not taking the drugs.
A 2019 British study concluded that “exposure to several types of strong anticholinergic drugs is associated with an increased risk of dementia.”
Specifically, the study found significant dementia risk for people 55 and over who used anticholinergic antidepressants, antiparkinsonian drugs, antipsychotic drugs, bladder control drugs and antiepileptic drugs.
Finally, a long-term study published in January 2015 had similar findings.
After following a group of almost 3500 people aged 65 and older for up to 18 years, researchers determined that people who used anticholinergics for at least three years had a greater risk of developing dementia.
These researchers concluded, “Given the devastating consequences of dementia, informing older adults about this potentially modifiable risk would allow them to choose alternative products and collaborate with their health care professionals to minimize overall anticholinergic use.”
Are bladder leaks worth sacrificing your brain?
If you’re over 50, and especially if you have Alzheimer’s in your family, you should talk with your doctor before embarking on a course of any drug in this class.
The best way to save yourself from cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s is to use natural alternatives. This is especially true for women, who are often prescribed anticholinergics for depression and urinary incontinence.
Sure, loss of bladder strength to lead to some embarrassing moments, but you still have options that won’t steal your memory…
- Kegel exercises aren’t easy to get the “hang of” but are worth trying. Think about doing them when you’re sitting down in the evening to watch your favorite show. Here’s how: Imagine you’re trying to stop your urine flow. Squeeze the muscles you would use to stop urinating and hold for a count of three; repeat. Bladder control training devices are available as well that utilize these same muscles to strengthen the bladder. A simple search online yields plenty of options.
- Avoid bladder irritants, like coffee and tea.
- Don’t drink too much: Drink plenty of fluids to avoid hydration, but don’t feel you have to get 8 glasses a day in. Drink when thirsty and taper off in the evenings. Avoid drinking a lot on long car rides or when you know a restroom won’t be nearby.
- Consider a bladder support supplement that decreases urgency.
- Never be embarrassed to wear a bladder leak pad as extra insurance, especially when your away from home or for overnight protection.
Editor’s note: For women, age, childbirth, menopause and hormone fluctuations may call for extra support to maintain healthy urinary function. For men, an aging body may result in the need for extra bladder support. Peak Bladder Support™ includes the “Go-Less™” formula which includes a proprietary combination of two ingredients to help support bladder function. Click here to try it today!
Sources:
Common class of drugs linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease — EurekAlert
Risk for Dementia May Increase With Long-Term Use of Certain Medicines — NY Times
Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden List — Aging Brain Program at the Indiana University Center for Aging Research
Anticholinergic Drug Exposure and the Risk of Dementia A Nested Case-Control Study — JAMA Internal Medicine
Anticholinergic drugs and risk of dementia: case-control study — the bmj
Cumulative Use of Strong Anticholinergics and Incident Dementia A Prospective Cohort Study — JAMA Internal Medicine
