What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Medical science has found the answer to this question quite elusive. Apparently, there are both genetic and environmental factors involved.  Genetics appears to carry a very strong role in what is termed early-onset Alzheimer’s (the dementia is clearly evident before the age of 60).  The factors involved in dementia that appears at a later age are less clear-cut. Thus, the fact that a family member (a parent, for instance) is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s while in their 80’s, is NOT a strong indicator that that person’s child will also experience Alzheimer’s.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Basically, Alzheimer’s Disease causes progressive loss of brain function. For reasons yet unknown, the disease involves what are termed ‘tangles’ in the brain that eventually spread throughout the brain causing, at first, memory difficulties, personality changes and, at the end, loss of bodily control. Although it is not considered a “normal” part of aging, it appears to afflict approximately ½ of all individuals who reach the age of 85. That process is often referred to as “dementia” but it is also a fact that loss of brain function can be caused by other factors such as a stroke, for instance. 

Can You Avoid Alzheimer’s?

As discussed in last week’s blog, medication on the market now does very little to retard the advance of Alzheimer’s. Thus, the best approach may be to take steps to prevent your experiencing it. Unfortunately, there is no inoculation or pill which will prevent its occurrence, but research does indicate certain steps can be taken to increase the likelihood that you will not be afflicted. Here they are:

Be active.

• Try to exercise regularly, even daily.
• Walk.
• Swim. 
• Play with the grandchildren.

Challenge your brain.

• Read.
• Watch stimulating television shows like Jeopardy!
• Discuss current affairs with friends.

Eat Right. Go easy on fats, sugar and red meat.

Sleep. This should be the easiest task of this series to do. If you wake up and are tired, you’re not sleeping long enough and/or are doing so fitfully.