"Are you at risk for Alzheimer's disease?
Facts and myths to help, In 2006 my mother was diagnosed with advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease.
We had recently begun to suspect that her memory problems and mood changes were an indication of something more than simply getting older.
mother was 78 still alive and relatively healthy, but all that changed.
And the change came quickly. In January 2008 we lost my mother.
Between the advanced Alzheimer's Disease and the Severe Arthritis she could no longer do battle with the enemies that were ravaging her mind and body.
Now that we have reached five girls and passing the half century mark, the thought of the possibility of ending up like a mother forcing us to educate ourselves.
We are all determined to do everything we can to ward off the devastating effects of this horrible disease.
As a writer, I think this is one of the things I am most afraid of loss.
Here is what I have learned while dealing with mother's condition and looking for ways to avoid it myself.
The first thing we need to know is, are the warning signs? What should we be looking for so that when the disease begins its attack, we can try early treatment.
Yes, if caught early there are some treatments, but more on that later.
Please note that these symptoms are changes in the normal function.
Changes in memory is probably the most widely known symptom, but not just any changes.
These changes in memory, which may disturb daily life.
Forgetting new information, important dates, and relying heavily on memory aids.
Planning and problem solving challenges that become evident, often, when trying to do familiar tasks like following a recipe or balancing the checkbook.
You can find these things are taking longer than before.
Well, she never was any good with numbers, so we missed this one too.
Tasks at home or at work are more difficult to complete.
For example, not remembering the rules to a favorite game or how to get to a favorite destination like a friend's house.
Lost time, dates, and seasons. Forgetting the day of the week, losing time, and do not understand that things have happened in the past, especially the recent past.
Here we began to notice trouble. My mother would show up for an event on the wrong day, or send birthday greetings to the wrong daughter or family member.
Changes in vision that relate to perception. Not realize that their thinking reflects Pass.
Sight problems can sometimes signal the onset of the disease.
sudden difficulty following a conversation or finding the right word.
This was hard for us to spot because my mom was partially deaf so we didn't catch it until it got really obvious that she was not following what we were talking about and we had to keep repeating ourselves.
Things to lose and not be able to find them backtrack.
Keys! Mom seemed to always be losing her keys and her lighter.
Poor Judgment like easily being talked into a purchase of something they really don't need,or suddenly paying less attention to personal grooming.
I think for us this was perhaps the most difficult to address.
Mom had always been an elegant and attractive person.
Suddenly it was all that we do to convince them to brush their hair.
Avoiding social activities, giving up loved hobbies or activities.
As the disease takes the mental capacity decreases.
This can cause embarrassment and shame, driving them away from those who might help them. Mood or personality change.
This can be paranoia, depression, fear, or agitation as well as other manifestations.
She would suddenly become angry over small annoyances and lash out at whomever was nearest.
Knowing the risk factors is only part of the plan.
What can we do? Well, we can understand the facts and identify the myths of the disease.
Facts
Most people with Alzheimer's are over 65 and the risk doubles every five years after that.
After about 85 years, the risk reaches nearly 50%.
Family history increase the risk and if more than one parent or sibling has been diagnosed it is even higher.
The studies are not clear whether this increased risk is a genetic factor or factors affecting the environment.
Less than 5 percent of cases are related to an inherited genetic factor and if this is the case it runs through many family members and many generations.
You can even test for this form of the disease.
You can help reduce your risk by protecting your head.
New studies show a link between brain injury and the subsequent onset of Alzheimer's disease.
Maintain a healthy heart.
This can be the possible reduction of oxygen in the blood, which can in turn damage the brain.
Generally, try to keep your weight low and avoid tobacco, and excessive alcohol use. Stay socially active and socially.
Myths
Memory loss is natural as we age. NO.
It is NOT natural to experience memory loss as we get older.
Scientific studies are still underway, but the data show that the loss of memory function is not a natural part of aging and is often the result of Alzheimer's disease.
FALSE.
Slowly takes a person's identity, capabilities, and their personality.
Eventually they will forget even how to eat, walk and talk.
Only the older disease.
FALSE.
It can also affect people in their 30 have if the estimates are currently around 200,000 people in the early onset of Alzheimer's.
Artificial Sweeteners cause memory loss.
Probably wrong.
Studies have not proven this to be true but tests are still ongoing and there are other issues to consider with artificial sweeteners.
Flu shots increase the risk.
Again this appears to be FALSE Reports show that in fact vaccination influenza, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Silver fillings cause the disease.
FALSE. Studies ruled this a myth and no evidence exists to refute it at this time.
The treatments can cure the disease.
FALSE. If diagnosed early some drugs have been shown to in the progression of symptoms for about half of the people they slowly.
A new study is being conducted to conclude if a daily dose of Vitamin B could slow the disease as it could reduce the rate of brain shrinkage.
Prevention There is currently no known safe prevention of this disease, but a healthy diet rich in butter, small amounts of dairy products rich in fat, red meat, organ and.
appeared to fight Alzheimer's disease.
Food like fish salad walnuts chicken tomato fruits and dark green vegetables, and you forget not your vitamins, minerals and plenty of water.
Staying active and doing mental exercises which includes learning new things may also help to delay the onset.
Find new things to do and learn and your brain will get its workout.
Of course no one wants to assume that they or a family member, could contract the deadly disease, but it is important to know the symptoms and do everything to protect us.
If you have a history of Alzheimer's in your family or if you have several family members over several generations who have suffered from the disease, consider talking to your doctor about the possibility of having genetic testing done and what other measures you might take to help keep your mind healthy and disease free.
