Music therapy taps into long-term memory, which remains intact longer than short-term memory in dementia patients.

"One of our patients struggles to recall much from his past. He has Dementia. However, whenever he listens to songs in his mother tongue, it boosts his mood and reconnect with his memories," Neha Sinha, Dementia Specialist, Psychologist, CEO & Co-founder of Epoch Elder Care told me recently.

This made me wonder if music can really help elderly patients with complex neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, Dementia and Multiple Sclerosis. Turns out that it can. While it does not specifically treat them, music definitely helps stabilize symptoms, fostering emotional well-being and improving the quality of life for patients.

Music And Memories To Treat Physical Symptoms

Behavioural challenges, such as aggression, anxiety, and social disinhibition, are common in patients with Dementia. Music therapy addresses these issues by creating a calming atmosphere and making them more open to treatment. "Listening to or engaging with music can soothe anxiety, regulate sleep patterns, and encourage them to be more receptive to assistance in performing their activities of daily life (ADL) more comfortably. Moreover, Reminiscence therapy, which helps recall events and discuss past events to improve their well-being, is known to be profoundly effective in treating such conditions.

Music therapy also taps into long-term memory, which remains intact longer than short-term memory in those suffering from Dementia. Familiar tunes or songs from childhood can stimulate certain neural connections, particularly if they are in their mother tongue. This soothes their anxiety, provides comfort and even prompts them to engage in social conversations.

Additionally, music therapy aids motor coordination, which is particularly helpful to those with Parkinson's. Incorporating rhythmic movements like walking or light dancing to music can improve muscle relaxation and enhance motor abilities. While there is no direct evidence linking music therapy to alleviating physical symptoms, its positive impact on mood and cognitive function makes patients more receptive to medical treatment.

Music Therapy Has Shown Significant Benefits

Healing with music is believed to date back to ancient Greece when music was used in an attempt to cure mental disorders. Throughout history, music has been used to boost morale in military troops, help people work faster and more productively, and even ward off evil spirits by chanting.

Music therapy does not involve specialists in most cases. It involves:

• listening to music
• singing along to music
• moving to the beat of the music
• meditating
• playing an instrument

Over one million Americans have contracted chronic hepatitis B and are now forced to go through a lifelong treatment process. Though these treatment only helps in terminating the virus, the risk of liver cancer stays on, and the constant fear and torment remain. Now, a new study of a drug trial for hepatitis B patients has given hope to millions.

The trial saw 1 in 5 patients with chronic hepatitis B infection getting cured. The 24-week test had 1,838 patients from 29 countries in Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The research published in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that 20% of patients got a functional cure, and no virus was detected in them after 48 hours.

The drug, bepirovirsen, is made by Ionis Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline and can stop the virus from replicating itself while giving the immune system a chance to eradicate it. The treatment process will be done by administering an injection once a week. Notably, GlaxoSmithKline has already applied to the Food and Drug Administration for approval to market the drug.

Though there was an option of vaccination to prevent the disease, still, millions are infected. This effective functional cure option will be a great addition to the treatment of hepatitis B.

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What Is Hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. Many adults can clear the virus after an acute infection. Some, however, go on to develop chronic hepatitis B, which increases the risk of liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis, or permanent scarring of the liver.

Also Read: Study Finds Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Cardiovascular Risk In Childhood Cancer Survivors

How Is Hepatitis B Spread?

The hepatitis B virus is highly contagious. It spreads when blood, semen, or other bodily fluids from a person who carries the virus enter the body of someone who is not infected.

Certain medical conditions, personal habits, and other circumstances can raise the risk, such as injection drug use or sexual contact, but the virus can infect anyone. Hepatitis B can also pass from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth, whether through a vaginal delivery or a C-section.

How Can Hepatitis B Be Prevented?

Vaccination is the most reliable way to prevent hepatitis B. The shots offer strong protection in infancy and continue to shield individuals well into adulthood. Babies usually receive a three-dose series.

A healthy lifestyle is very crucial for any human being, but for cancer survivors, it's a must, as they tend to get various diseases, including cardiovascular ones. A recent study by the University of Gothenburg and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital also doubles down on this aspect. Their research reveals that a healthy lifestyle can significantly lower the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease in childhood cancer survivors.

The study published in Nature Communications observed over 18,000 childhood cancer survivors for 30 days. The results clearly show that most of the chronic health problems among childhood cancer survivors revolve around lifestyle. Those with a habit of inactivity, obesity, smoking, and high alcohol intake are likely to catch diseases.

Aron Onerup, Pediatrician and Researcher at the University of Gothenburg and former Postdoctoral Fellow at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, said, "This reveals that lifestyle plays a much bigger role than previously thought. Unlike the treatments already given, the lifestyle can actually be changed."

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Another study published in JACC: CardioOncology with 2,300 cancer survivor participants finds that those who do not exercise regularly are 1.4 times more likely to contract a cardiovascular disease. The disease burden in childhood cancer survivors who do not exercise is twelve times more than that of the general population.

Aron Onerup, a Researcher within Pediatrics at Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and a Specialist Physician at the Pediatric Cancer Center at Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, in Gothenburg, said, "This means that physical activity can make a big difference in reducing the extra risk that emerges after cancer treatment and modify the negative effects from cancer treatments. Our results provide strong scientific support for offering survivors structured support for healthy lifestyles."

Also Read: Vitamin B12 And Folate Deficiencies Behind Chronic Fatigue, New Study Finds

Why Women Are More Likely To Develop Cardiovascular Diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one reason for death among women and men, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Statistics show that about 44% women are living with heart diseases, and it is responsible for the death of 1 in 5 women.

There are many risk factors for heart diseases, like high blood pressure, which often goes undiagnosed in women. While studies have shown that women are more likely to live longer, even with diseases, a recent report shared how women are also more likely to have cardiovascular diseases than men.

According to the study published in the American College of Cardiology, even though women often try to live healthier, if they have issues like bad food habits or high blood pressure, their risk of heart disease goes up much more than it does for men.

Vitamin B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, DNA production, and nerve function. Deficiency is more common in vegans, vegetarians, and pregnant individuals. In such cases, supplementation may be necessary to maintain adequate levels. Vitamin B9, commonly known as folate, is also very important for DNA synthesis, production of red blood cells, and cell growth.

A recent study by Osaka Metropolitan University reveals an important aspect of these two nutrients: their deficiency is directly connected with chronic fatigue. The study published in the journal Nutrient urges for a proper diet and ensuring that all necessary nutrients are present for health and energy levels.

The researchers studied over 600 healthy adults to determine whether vitamin deficiency can cause fatigue. They mainly focused on B12 and B9 because these two nutrients are crucial to maintain a natural amino acid called homocysteine in the human body. The research finds that the deficiency of these two nutrients causes an increase in homocysteine in the body, which may be connected to fatigue and low motivation.

Notably, these deficiencies can impact you differently because of your gender, as the study found that the low level of these nutrients affects men mostly with fatigue, while women feel low motivation.

Professor Hiroaki Kanouchi from Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology said, "This suggested relationship between vitamin B12, folate, and fatigue in healthy individuals may represent the first report of its kind."

Also Read: Feeling Tired And Foggy? It Could Be Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Why Does B12 Deficiency Happen?

Vitamin B12 is mainly found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products. People who follow vegetarian or vegan diets may need fortified foods or supplements to get enough.

Absorption is also a key factor. Vitamin B12 requires a special protein in the stomach called intrinsic factor to be absorbed properly. Certain medical conditions, medications, or aging can reduce absorption. This means that even if someone eats enough B12, their body may not absorb it efficiently.

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Why Does B9 Deficiency Happen?

Folate is naturally found in foods like leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, lentils, beans, and whole grains, and a diet low in these can cause deficiency. Though in some cases, certain medical conditions can also be the reason for the problem.

When To See A Doctor?

If you experience ongoing fatigue, tingling sensations, or noticeable changes in memory or mood, consult a healthcare professional. A simple blood test can measure your B12 or B9 levels.

Both deficiencies are usually treatable. Treatment may include dietary changes, oral supplements, or, in more severe cases, injections. When identified early, most people recover well.