Alzheimer’s Dementia

September is World Alzheimer’s Month.

A range of emotions and reactions hits when a loved-one starts showing signs of advanced dementia.

I have even known people who didn’t want to remember their loved-one that way, so they refused to see them.

In a recent Continuing Education class I took from a professor at Emory University’s Alzheimer’s research center, here are some tips for having the best chance at preventing dementia.

Did you know…

There are over 90 causes of dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease is only one of them?

Alzheimer’s can only be diagnosed by autopsy? This would also then mean that it can’t be properly diagnosed as Alzheimer’s-type dementia while people are alive.

An MRI of the brain shows the exact pattern that distinguishes it as Alzheimer’s vs one of the many other forms of dementia.

I was unable to obtain a picture of a brain MRI but if you Google MRI Alzheimer’s brain, you will see images of how they look. There you can look for an image that has normal brain next to Alzheimer’s brain so you can see the difference.

Alzheimer’s patients also have neuron fiber tangles and plaques on the brain from a protein called amyloid protein.

Those plaques show up at least 20 years before symptoms do, although not everyone who has them develops dementia.

Risk Factors

Age is the biggest risk factor – over age 60-65. 44% with Alzheimer’s are aged 74-85.
More women than men seem to be affected
Genetics – there is a marker they can test for. Having the marker makes you vulnerable, but genetics WITH environment and other risk factors weighs more heavily than genetics alone
Genetics- 4 major genes for early-onset, but just 1 risk-factor gene for late-onset Alzheimer’s
Family history – first-degree relatives
Head trauma
Illiterate/uneducated
Older African-Americans and older Hispanics are more likely to have Alzheimer’s than older Caucasians

Can you prevent getting dementia or Alzheimer’s?

Confused older woman with man trying to explain.

Key Habits of People Unlikely to Develop Alzheimer’s

Not being a hermit crab. Get out of your house and socialize.
Not overweight. Alzheimer’s is linked to obesity.
Other cardiovascular risk factors – high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking should all be avoided.
They engage the brain and are lifelong learners. Always be challenging your mind with things. Educate yourself on new things, especially music and learning a second language.
Having purpose in life – derive meaning from life experiences
Having clear goals and intentions.
Exercise.
Decrease/eliminate inflammation.
Getting a good night’s sleep.
Minimal alcohol intake (low-moderate amt).
Laugh.