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Madison’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease is Sunday, October 3
MADISON, Wisconsin – One in nine Americans over the age of 65 is currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. But researchers believe the brain disease actually starts 20 years earlier, before many people notice symptoms.
That’s why, right here in Madison, doctors work tirelessly to improve patients. amount and quality of life.
“I think there are some misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Nate Chen, medical director of Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at UW Health, in an interview with News 3.
“One is that people think it’s just a memory problem. It’s more than memory. It can impact your attention, language, vision, ability to drive, ability to use the bathroom, etc. The list is long.
Chen spends every day studying and working with patients with Alzheimer’s disease. He knows firsthand how difficult a diagnosis can be, as well as how many people will get one. Over the next five years, 10,000 Wisconsin residents will find out they have Alzheimer’s disease, bringing the total to more than 130,000 statewide. More than 40% of patients will die from complications of the disease.
The good news: There is hope.
“Although it has taken a long time to get to where we are now, the speed at which we learn about the disease and conduct intervention studies has increased exponentially,” Chen said.
Over the past 10 years, researchers have detected the disease earlier and earlier. Patients no longer have to die for doctors to use their brains for scans. Now, researchers are testing patients’ cerebrospinal fluid, studying protons, and hoping a cure may be imminent.
Means of (possibly) delaying a diagnosis
Chen says that, like with many illnesses, good quality exercise, diet, and sleep are essential.
- Sleep: 7 to 9 hours is the ideal range.
- Diet: Eat dark leafy greens, lean meat, and healthy fats. Chen recommends following a low sodium Mediterranean diet.
- Exercise: 150 minutes of cardio per week is best, although Chen says people can start with 10 minutes (at least!) Each day. Walking counts if your heart rate increases.
How to help researchers this week
Sunday October 3 is Madison’s “Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease”. All the money raised helps fund research through the Alzheimer’s Association. Click here for more information.
The 2021 walk will take place at James Madison Memorial High School. The opening ceremony is at 10 a.m. and the march will start at 10.15 a.m.
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