Proven Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's

The biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, which is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior, is expressed as a person's age. It is predicted that 2050 million people will be affected by dementia, the prevalence of which is increasing day by day with the prolongation of life expectancy. It is possible for some patients to prevent Alzheimer's with practical suggestions that are applied at an early age. Professor from Memorial Şişli Hospital Neurology Department. Dr. Dilek Necioğlu Örken gave information about the precautions to be taken against Alzheimer's on September 2.3, World Alzheimer's Day.

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functions due to a disorder in the brain. A mental deterioration that can be characterized as dementia primarily impairs more than one cognitive function. In addition, occupational performance is persistent and often progressive, severe enough to cause significant impairment in activities of daily living, which can be summarized as independence on the street and in financial affairs, use of ordinary gadgets, hobbies, housework, and self-care. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, but there are many other types.

The person may become unable to continue his daily life.

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking ability, and behavior. By the end of the symptoms, the person becomes so severe that they cannot do their daily activities. Alzheimer's accounts for the vast majority of dementia cases. Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, but the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer's is age. Generally, most Alzheimer's patients are 65 years or older.

Pay attention to the findings of Alzheimer's!

The disease has various symptoms. It is possible to rank them as follows:

• Memory loss affecting work life,
• Difficulty in fulfilling duties in the family
• language problems,
• Disorientation in time and place
• Decreased or impaired reasoning
• abstract thinking difficulties
• Do not misplace things
• mood and behavior changes,
• personality change,
• Loss of initiative.

Depression should be included in the differential diagnosis for Alzheimer's in every patient. Depression can cause pseudo-dementia. When diagnosing with other symptoms, B12 deficiency, lead and mercury poisoning, hypothyroidism, vasculopathies, subdural hematoma, normal pressure hydrocephalus, slow growing tumors, central nervous system infections should also be examined. Detailed neurological examination, radiological imaging methods and neuropsychological evaluation are used for diagnosis.

The goal of treatment is to slow the progression of symptoms.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease in which the symptoms of dementia become progressively worse. Memory loss is mild in the early stages of the disease. However, in advanced cases, patients lose many of their abilities. This disease ranks among the top six causes of death in the United States. The goal of treatment in Alzheimer's is to try to slow down the symptoms of dementia. In terms of treatment, a worldwide effort is being made to delay the onset of the disease.

Mental activities such as chess are beneficial.

There are some suggestions that have been proven by studies to prevent Alzheimer's. These include getting enough education at an early age. In addition, engaging in mental activities such as chess, regular exercise, weight control, not smoking, and paying attention to sleep are among the preventive measures for Alzheimer's. Other measures can be listed as follows:

1. To prevent cerebrovascular diseases: In addition to a healthy lifestyle, the brain vessels should be kept healthy with drugs that prevent atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular diseases. People who have had a stroke, especially those with cerebral microhemorrhages, should be followed closely in terms of cognitive functions.
2. Regular blood pressure: People under the age of 65 should avoid high blood pressure with healthy lifestyle measures. Cognitive functions of people with orthostatic hypotension (lower blood pressure when standing up) should be closely monitored.
3. To monitor homocysteine ​​level regularly: People with high homocysteine ​​levels should be treated with vitamin B/folic acid and their cognitive functions should be closely monitored.
4. C vitamin: Vitamin C taken with food or as a supplement can help.
5. To prevent diabetes: Diabetes increases the risk of dementia. With a healthy lifestyle, diabetes should be avoided. Cognitive functions of diabetics should be closely monitored.
6. Protecting the head area: Head trauma should be protected from head injuries as it can adversely affect the brain.
7. Avoiding vulnerability: You should be healthy and strong in advancing age. Cognitive functions of people with increased vulnerability should be closely monitored.
8. Protecting against depression: Precautions should be taken to protect mental health and the cognitive functions of people with depression symptoms should be closely monitored.
9. Beware of atrial fibrillation: Precautions should be taken to protect cardiovascular health and atrial fibrillation should be treated.
10. It should be stress free: The mind should be emptied and daily stress should be avoided