More screen time, no exercise may put you at risk of digital dementia

Does your work keep you glued to screens for a longer period Beware coupled with no physical activity it might take a toll on your brains cognitive functions and lead to digital dementia warned experts on TuesdayThe term ldquodigital dementiardquo means memory issues and cognitive deterioration brought on by overdependence on digital devices like smartphones computers etcldquoLong periods of screen time can affect the brains cognitive functionsrdquo Dr Vinayak Kshirsagar Senior Laparoscopic Surgeon DPU Super Speciality Hospital Pimpri Pune told IANSldquoThis is basically because of the decreased attention span and prolonged screen time which often involves sitting in a difficult posture on the bed or couch This can cause various healthrelated problems such as obesity body aches spine problems and backachesrdquo he saidDementia is a broad term for a range of cognitive impairments that significantly affect an individuals daily functioningWhile more common among older people recent research has highlighted the association between a sedentary lifestyle and an increased risk of developing dementia especially in younger adults It emphasises the importance of physical activity in both prevention and managementA 2022 study investigated the relationship between total dementia risk and sedentary activities such as watching television and using computers and found that regardless of physical activity levels spending more time engaged in sedentary activities increases the risk of developing dementiaAnother study found individuals who used screens for more than four hours a day had a higher chance of developing vascular dementia and Alzheimers diseaseldquoThe symptoms of digital dementia include shortterm memory loss trouble remembering words and difficulty in multitasking a decline of attention span and learning capacity Its consequences are aggravated by a sedentary lifestyle characterised by long periods of inactivity when the person is tied to his desk and screen for a majority of the dayrdquo Dr Pawan Ojha Director Neurology Fortis Hiranandani Hospital Vashi told IANSProlonged periods of inactivity such as sitting or lying down while awake are increasingly common in modern society This lifestyle has been linked to various health issues including obesity cardiovascular disease diabetes and dementialdquoPhysical inactivity can lead to structural changes in the brain inflammation and reduces blood flow to the brainrdquo Dr Lt Gen CS Narayanan VSM Chairman Institute of Neurosciences Manipal Hospital Dwarka New Delhi told IANSldquoThis can also lead to changes in behavioural patterns because continuous digital processing means our memory isnt being trained for short and fastpaced tasks Were not using all of our neuronal channels in the brain as much which can lead to excessive anxiety stress levels and possible changes in behavioural patternsrdquo Kshirsagar saidNarayanan said conditions like obesity and diabetes which are exacerbated by inactivity are also known risk factors for dementiaIncorporating short frequent breaks from sitting throughout the day can help reduce sedentary time Simple activities like standing up stretching or taking a short walk can make a significant differenceldquoRegular exercise particularly aerobic activity can improve cardiovascular health reduce inflammation and enhance neuroplasticity the brains ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections These benefits are critical in maintaining cognitive function and reducing the risk of dementiardquo the expert saidThe experts also suggested moderate use of screen time For general cognitive health its critical to utilize digital technology carefully and have a balanced and healthy lifestyleAlso Read Is your sleep being sabotaged Herersquos why a digital detox is crucialThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever