MUSCATINE, Iowa–As awareness about dementia has risen and people have started looking for ways to reduce their risk of developing it or helping relatives already diagnosed with the condition manage it, Dr. Hamid Sagha, an internal medicine doctor at UnityPoint Health–Trinity Muscatine, has worked tirelessly to share his research on these topics. In January, he began a monthly series of presentations examining different lifestyle factors people could modify to help reduce risk factors for dementia or slow its progression. The series has proven popular with the community, with about 107 people attending the January session in person and 90 people coming in person and 20 joining via livestream for the second session in February. Because of high demand, Sagha will offer his March 16 and other future presentations at the Muscatine Community School District Administration Building, located at 2900 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine.
With people seeking more information about preventing dementia and Sagha offering straightforward, actionable solutions for doing so, UnityPoint Health Trinity-Muscatine Executive Director Rachel Pohl finds it understandable that so many people want to hear his talks. “I think the amazing response shows that there’s a need for it in Muscatine,” she observed.
She believes the larger space will better serve the needs of the community and make Sagha’s valuable information available to even more people. “It’s a larger space–it can accommodate twice as many people as their previous location, and it’s all on one level, which is great for our population, so it checks a lot of boxes.”
Dr. Hamid Sagha will present on the importance of restful sleep to preventing dementia March 16 at the Muscatine Community School District Administration Building. Photo courtesy UnityPoint Health.
At his March event, Sagha will discuss the benefits of good quality sleep on neurological health and things people can do to improve their sleep. As Sagha explained in a recent news release: “healthy brain function requires quality sleep. Quality sleep not only plays a role in mood and overall health but is important for learning and concentration. To help prevent brain loss, it’s important to learn how to improve your sleep routing and understand what causes sleep issues.”
Because Sagha has investigated dementia prevention extensively, he has identified seven areas where people can take steps to make a difference. To that end, UnitPoint Health-Trinity Muscatine plans on putting on four additional events to cover each of those areas. In addition to the March 16 event, they have already scheduled the next event for April 19. People may register for any of the 40 or so remaining spots for the March event by calling Angie Koppe at 563-264-9482 or emailing her or by visiting UnityPoint’s. Soon, registration will become available for the April event as well, including in person at the March event.
Open to the general public, Pohl feels that anyone wanting to live healthier, and especially those concerned about dementia either for themselves or loved ones, will learn a lot from Sagha’s lectures. “I think there’s valuable information through the course that Dr. Sagha does a great job explaining,” she said. Pohl also encourages anyone wanting to address personal risks or symptoms of dementia with their primary care provider, as they can take into account their personal histories and refer them to suitable specialists or for additional testing.
