One of the most common mental problems affecting seniors is Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, taking precautions against memory loss becomes vitally important. Although a certain decline in memory is a normal part of aging, the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle, social interaction, and the taking of certain foods can greatly diminish memory loss. Alzheimer's condition progressively impairs memory, and can eventually render seniors incapable of taking care of themselves.
Estimates indicate that around 4.5 million Americans currently have the disease. Alzheimer's disease usually develops after the age of 65, but a genetically-inherited type of the disease can affect people as young as 30. There are many risk factors. These can include oxidative stress, head trauma, estrogen loss after menopause, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's presents many different symptoms. They include:
Forgetting information that has been recently learned.
Experiencing difficulty performing tasks that are familiar, such as using the phone or crossing the street.
Language impairment, such as forgetting simple words.
Time and place disorientation, such as forgetting the way home.
Experiencing problems with abstract thinking, like basic arithmetic.
Exhibiting poor or decreased judgment, like wearing a summer dress in winter.
Frequently misplacing things and/or placing objects in peculiar locations, such putting a pillow in the bathtub.
Showing mood and behavior changes that can manifest in drastic mood swings.
Personality changes exhibiting different traits such as confusion, dependency, or suspicion.
A clear loss of initiative and passivity, such as spending all day watching television or sleeping for long periods.
A person afflicted with Alzheimer's may also experience loss of body mass. In fact, there's clinical evidence that loss of BMI in seniors underscores the development of Alzheimer's.
People, however, differ in the various combinations of the symptoms and their development. Research shows that at its initial stage, there are no apparent Alzheimer's symptoms. It's only at the second stage that a mild cognitive decline can be detected. There are also other conditions, such as depression, vitamin deficiencies, and excessive alcohol consumption that can lead to memory impairment. Therefore, one must first rule out other issues and conditions.
Alzheimer's Prevention
As a chronic condition, the role of an adequate diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle is crucial for preventing or slowing down Alzheimer's damaging effects. Here are a few useful tips for a healthy brain and body:
Exercise. Physical activities, such as walking, are linked with improving one's ability to learn, countering any negative changes in brain chemistry.
Partake in mentally stimulating activities. Reading, vocabulary games and puzzles, are some of the activities that can increase the number of nerve-fiber connections in the brain. These connections can offset changes associated with Alzheimer's. There is also evidence to suggest that more education decreases the risk of developing the disease.
Engage in healthy relations with others. Social support networks can protect against the development of emotional and cognitive conditions.
Do not smoke. Those who smoke in their older years are more prone to Alzheimer's.
Consume foods rich in vitamin E. Nuts, green leafy vegetables, and whole grains can minimize oxidative damage.
Take cardiovascular health boosters. Garlic, Coenzyme Q10, and folate are linked with reducing the risk for Alzheimer's.
Include seafood and n-3 fatty acids in your diet. Rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fish is a brain-friendly food.
Install the app to know more..
