Five Things You Need To Know About Alzheimer’s
by Robert William Locke

Usually around the age of 60, symptoms of Alzheimer’s will start to manifest themselves if indeed the disease is present. Sometimes, these symptoms are dismissed as part of the aging process but unfortunately in many cases, it is not just a question of getting old.

The first alarming signal is when the person affected has marked difficulty in doing simple tasks which previously they performed with ease. These can range from opening a car door to getting a meal ready or using a simple household appliance. As the disease progresses into the later stages, the person will display behavioral symptoms. Loss of memory and a failure to grasp new things together with anxiety and depression are common symptoms. Some persons suffer from hallucinations.

Diagnosis of this disease is never simple or straightforward and will start by excluding other possibilities. The patient will be asked to take a number of laboratory tests such as medical tests and laboratory measurements. The actual diagnosis can take up to several weeks in some difficult cases although sometimes just one day will be sufficient.

What treatment options are there? Medication now consists of various drugs which try to protect a chemical compound called acetylcholine, which is important for the functioning of neurons in the brain. These drugs help to preserve these essential enzymes which are damaged by another enzyme called acetylcholinesterase.There are considerable side effects of these drugs and the results are not significant is many cases but they can slow down the disease.

Other drugs too have been tried with mixed success. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs), the most common ones being aspirin and ibuprofen have been found to offer some protection. Another potential preventative drug is estrogen, but this can give rise to strokes. Gingko biloba, a popular plant extract associated with improving brain function, can have dangerous side effects too.

The disease can last from 5-10 years or even longer. The disease will progress from simple forgetfulness to debilitating severe dementia. Most sufferers (about 70% in the USA) will live with family members at home. There is no cure for the disease at the moment and care consists of medication mentioned above and care giving.

While the disease progresses, the patient and family members will be traumatized and emotionally drained especially as in the very late stages, the patient just cannot communicate with his or her loved ones. This is very often hard to bear and adds to the trauma for the carers.

Is there anything you can do to prevent this disease? Research now shows that diet can be very important in preventing this disease but obviously this needs to be thought of before the age of 65. Lots of fruit, vegetables and omega-3 foods have been shown to reduce the risk of this disease by as much as 60%. Beat-carotene (carrots, for example) have been shown to have the same effect. One of the most effective diets known to mankind is the Mediterranean Diet which has been the diet of millions of people in the Mediterranean area. The incidence of degenerative disease among these people is lower than many other countries and as a result, it has been the subject of much research.

Find out how diet can help prevent Alzheimer’s For Health Tips To Make You Feel Good visit The Wellness Bible