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Alzheimer's disease. This is a subject that strikes near us.
My mother died at the age of 86, after about 20 years of progressive symptoms, the last decade in a care facility.
Having a first-degree relative (mother, father, brother or sister) increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. And although the causes are multiple and the treatment complicated, there are things I can do to at least delay the symptoms, experts say.
Dementia is a generic term for memory loss and other mental abilities serious enough to interfere with everyday life. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive decline in cognitive memory over a period of time. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the disease accounts for 60 to 80% of dementia cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common type. There are many other conditions that can cause dementia symptoms, some of which are reversible.
The association found that more than 5.7 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease. Irreversible, it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Women are at a higher risk than men, accounting for two-thirds of patients.
"Alzheimer's disease is a public health crisis," says Sarah Milligan, a social worker and health care consultant in northwestern Indiana's Alzheimer's Chapter, the third largest funder of research behind governments American and Chinese.
According to Stuart Zola, an illness specialist and professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Emory University School of Medicine, an advanced Alzheimer's brain is smaller than a healthy brain. Cellular function is disrupted, preventing neurons from communicating and impairing normal cognitive function. Cognitive impairments – problems with language, memory, thinking and judgment that go beyond typical age-related changes – are linked to the development of abnormal protein deposits in the brain.
There are a number of risk factors, none of which means that you are certain to contract Alzheimer's disease.
From heredity, at least 27 genetic variations are at the root of Alzheimer's disease. And although the presence of the gene for apolipoprotein E e4 (APOE e4) related to Alzheimer's disease does not mean that a person will get it, "those who have a mother , a father or a brother with the disease are at 60 to 80 percent higher risk, "said Jaswinder Singh, a neuropsychologist with Mid-America Counseling and Psychology Services, with offices in Merrillville and Munster.
That said, age is the single most important risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease. This is the largest number of people aged 60 to 65 years old. Alzheimer's data show that one in 10 people aged 65 and over has Alzheimer's dementia.
"Trauma to the head can eventually exacerbate the disease in those who are already predisposed," says Singh.
Alzheimer's disease is more prevalent among illiterates, advocating for intellectual activity, says Zola. The theory behind this is that when we learn, we build more networks and connections in the brain. The more layers there are, the more we are able to counteract the effects of the disease.
Singh suggests that people at high risk undergo a simple baseline assessment between ages 50 and 55 and repeat the test every two or three years.
According to Zola, many health problems increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. On the one hand, metabolic syndromes – including obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels and high triglycerides – contribute but can be controlled with a diet and diet. 39; exercise.
High and chronic blood glucose (and blood insulin) appear to increase inflammation and influence the size / development of the hippocampus, a brain structure essential for learning and memory. "There are many similarities in the brains of people with diabetes and Alzheimer's," says Zola.
Doctors, including Singh, offer simple tests to assess whether a patient's symptoms are those of depression, anxiety, side effects of the drug, or Alzheimer's disease. Especially in men, a personality change may indicate the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Other clues include difficulty with words, agitation or confusion that occurs at sunset and short-term memory loss.
"As you get older, it's normal to forget the conversations, the names of people, the name of the movie we saw last week, or the restaurant we ate at," says Singh. This is what we call episodic memory. "
"If we're wondering if we have Alzheimer's, we're probably fine," Zola said. This is when our family questions and we are not aware of a problem.
"According to Singh, restful and uninterrupted sleep is one of the most important things in our lives and we often neglect it." It is essential to exclude sleep apnea in those who snore or have excessive weight. Untreated sleep apnea can result in mild cognitive impairment. "
Napping for 20 to 30 minutes is beneficial, especially if you sleep six hours or less per night. Singh suggests developing good sleep habits: go to bed at the same time each night, hold the TV out of the bedroom and have separate bedrooms if one of the partners is restless, snores or rises several times overnight.
Change your diet for a diet that reduces inflammation, such as the Mediterranean diet. This includes foods rich in antioxidants, B vitamins, anti-inflammatory fats, plant nutrients and lean protein. Think of multicolored vegetables, fruits, olive oil, nuts, fish, poultry, eggs, herbs and spices.
Singh recommends eating fish three times a week, cooking with turmeric and ginger, consuming plenty of dark blue, dark green and dark red fruits and vegetables, and eliminating sugar, salt and salt. White flour.
People who exercised one hour three times a week for three months increased cerebral blood flow, improved memory, lowered blood pressure, and improved nervous tissue development. Any activity – cooking, gardening and walking – is useful. "Even a 10-minute walk three days a week will increase blood flow in the frontal temporal region of the brain," Singh reports.
Another important factor is social engagement. Those who are intertwined, self-confident, and have strong interpersonal skills can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Learn new skills such as a foreign language or music, try new hobbies and take up the challenge. Singh suggests to everyone to follow the "20 seconds" rule, wherever they are and regardless of their cognitive abilities: "Before leaving your home, the restaurant, my office, take 20 seconds to scan the area to make sure you have all your belongings. It keeps you sharp and you do not run the door and do not come back to grab the keys to your car. "
Manage stress by meditating, relaxing, having fun, being positive and spending time outdoors. No smoking. Pay attention to the consumption of alcohol.
"Given the current number of people affected and those who will be affected by the current trajectory of the disease, everyone will know someone who has the disease," said Milligan. Alzheimer's Association, which is why it is so important to understand what Alzheimer's disease and dementia are, the warning signs and their potential risk of developing the disease. "
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