Changing eating habits, pollution, deteriorating food quality, poor genes, and lot of artificial flavoring has given rise to many diseases that were earlier found only in medical thesis. Some diseases that were quite uncommon and rare have suddenly started occurring easily.
There are many factors working behind such rare diseases, but one cannot completely eliminate the chances of its occurrence as it can happen to anybody depending on the food, lifestyle, and genetic structure. One such disease that has recently grabbed the attention worldwide is Alzheimer’s Disease, one of the most common causes for dementia.
This disease was first discovered 100 years back, but it took 70 years for the experts to understand that this disease causes dementia. Alzheimer’s is no more a rare disease as it is reaching out to more people due to several reasons.
Here are some facts about this disease that are worth knowing!
Alzheimer’s Statistics
As per the figures revealed by Alzheimer’s Association, almost 11% of population above the age of 65 in US suffer from Alzheimer’s. The number is continuously increasing as clear from the current trend, and by 2050 there would be one million cases registered every year.
Another statistic suggests that about two-third of the Alzheimer’s patients are women over the age of 65 years. The studies were conducted on different age groups and it was found that the cases increase with age. The patients above 85 years of age were more compared to those in the age group of 65 to 84.
Age is not the only factor causing Alzheimer’s disease
Though Alzheimer’s is mostly found in people above the age of 65, they are not the only ones at risk. Early onset of this disease is also observed in 5 percent patients in their 40s and 50s. This disease is degenerative disorder that progresses with age.
The nerve cells or neurons in the brain are attacked on the onset of this disease, which further disrupts the production of neurotransmitter (acetylcholine), the chemical that establishes the connection between brain and cells. The nerve cells slowly die and connection amongst these cells is lost. Loss of neurotransmitter would result into disturbed brain activity, memory loss, behavioral changes, and lack of language and thinking skills.
What are the signs of Alzheimer’s disease?
Memory loss is the major sign of this disease. However the symptoms will become more severe with age. The typical memory loss symptoms depicting Alzheimer’s are –
- Difficulty reaching the familiar locations or even completing the daily tasks. The neurons are destroyed in parts and usually the patient may initially find difficulty in undertaking new tasks.
- Brain is not able to remember or register new tasks due to the inactivated neurons in particular part of brain.
- In later stages, most of the neurons in the brain are killed and this would lead to major memory loss resulting into confusion about time, place, spatial relationships, and vision.
- Progressing Alzheimer’s would also bring in difficulties related to language and words. The patient may forget the right words and they will have to stop in the middle of conversation as they may get confused about what to speak and why to speak!
- They will slowly start withdrawing themselves from the relationships and society due to their inability to understand, judge, and remember the conversation.
All of the above symptoms can be occasionally found in many people, but that is not Alzheimer’s as it could happen when you are multi-tasking, overloaded with work, have mental or physical stress, and even when suffering from some emotional breakdown. The problem needs attention only when it becomes frequent.
Preventive Measures
- Exercise 30 minutes regularly or at least 5 days a week.
- Include foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, the brain boosting nutrient. Salmon can be the rich source.
- Take proper sleep for relaxation. Day time naps can be included in case of insomnia.
- Find friends and family to talk and share the problem. Avoid isolation.
- Learn new things to work up your brain.
- Indulge in fun activities to eliminate stress.
Don’t allow the dementia take away all your health and happiness. Keep yourself busy, agile, and alert to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Writing about health and fitness is one of the key hobbies of Carol, who have been into writing since a decade now. Her articles on US Pure Garcinia Cambogia 1400mg are well-researched and based on the benefits offered by this pure fruit extract to its consumers in terms of weight reduction