Popular Drug SKYROCKETING Your Dementia Risk?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted June 27, 2020
Dear Reader,
When you go to your doctor with a problem you expect to be given a cure… or, at best, at least a treatment that will make your problem manageable.
What you don’t expect is for this drug to open a can of worms for other health troubles. But that’s exactly what could happen if you suffer with anything from COPD, overactive bladder, asthma, Parkinson’s, diarrhea and even depression.
Because while this one type of drug is given to “treat” all of the issues I’ve listed above – it’s also sending your risk for dementia skyrocketing.
Here’s what you need to know.
Anticholinergic medications are WIDELY prescribed medications.
They are also at the top of my list of drugs you should not take unless you absolutely HAVE to. And that’s especially the case if you’re older.
Anticholinergic drugs are a big class of drugs (they do a lot of different things in your body). They work by decreasing the action of a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) in the brain, called acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is needed for a specific set of nerves to work. Blocking acetylcholine typically calms down (or inhibits) many involuntary muscles movements and various other bodily functions.
Here is the list of drugs that are considered anticholinergic:
- Antihistamines (first-generation)
- Antiparkinsonian Agents
- Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
- Antiarrhythmics (for irregular heartbeats)
- Antidepressants (amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine…)
- Antimuscarinics (for urinary incontinence)
- Antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, clozapine, loxapine….)
- Antispasmodics (used to calm muscles)
Anticholinergic drugs decrease the ability of the liver and kidney to break down and get rid of toxins. They also increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier – which allows more drugs across into the brain (not a good thing).
They also increase drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, hallucinations… and much more.
Oh… and they increase your risk of dementia.
A new study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine, collected data from 3,434 adults who were followed for eight years they found that taking these drugs greatly increased the risk for dementia.
But if they’re wrecking one of your brain, why is your doctor handing you a prescription?
The short (and ugly) answer is: your mainstream medical doctor has nothing else to give you.
If you suffer from asthma, Parkinson’s, diarrhea, or even depression, these are some of the only drugs that will supposedly “treat” your symptoms.
A second, much larger study, of 58,769 participants found significant INCREASES in dementia risk associated with the use of anticholinergic antidepressants, anti-parkinsonian drugs, antipsychotics, anti-muscarinic drugs and antiepileptic drugs.
And here is the biggest problem: the risk for dementia with anticholinergics remains even after drug is stopped.
The takeaway: be careful whenever you decide to take a drug especially when it comes to these drugs and even MORE especially if you are older. If you suffer from one of the ailments that call for an anticholinergic, talk to your doctor about your options and make sure you exhaust your resources.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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