It's Difficult Being Healthy Part 2

German psychiatrist Dr. Alois Alzheimer first described the symptoms of this disease in 1907. Alzheimer’s is an irreversible progressive disorder in which brain cells [neurons] deteriorate resulting in loss of cognitive functions. These functions are primarily memory, judgment, reasoning, movement, coordination, and pattern recognition.  In the advanced stages of the disease, all memory and mental functioning may be lost.

A few sobering statistics: 1. 5.7 million in our country are living with Alzheimer’s disease. 2. 14 million in our country are expected to have this disease by 2050. 3. 277 billion $ is the estimated cost in the United States from Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia for 2018. 5. Number of drugs, 5, approved by the FDA to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s, but not the root cause. The only way I would get on that train, if that was the only train leaving town.

The Time article addressed the Sprint Mind research study that tested whether aggressively lowering blood pressure would have an effect on people’s risk of cognitive decline, including symptoms of dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. The study involved more than 9,300 elderly people who had heart problems or were at a higher risk of developing heart disease, because they had high blood pressure. For the study, Individuals that lowered their blood pressure to less than 120mm HG, lowered the risk of developing MCI or probable dementia as measured by the various test by 15%, compared to people who lowered their blood pressure to 140 mm HG.

The article pointed out that two drugs BAN2401 and aducanumab are drawing attention for those unlucky. These drugs only address the symptoms and in the best case, slow the deterioration of the nerves. Slow means that your impairment lasts longer.  According to one study in the UK, those with an excessive drinking habit [8 glasses of wine in a week] or those that didn’t drink at all, had a higher risk of dementia than those who drank moderately.

Significant Alzheimer’s risk factors [Institute for Natural Resources] include: 1. Genetics and family history 2.Age and sex 3. High blood pressure 4. Cardiovascular disease 5. Insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome in diabetes 6. Traumatic brain injury 6. Low educational achievement, low mental stimulation and smaller brain size 7. Poor diet-Mediterranean diet lowers risk; toxins, lack of exercise and obesity. 8. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption 9. Chronic inflammation, hearing loss, low social support 10. Chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep disorder 11. History of caregiving for a family member with dementia.

To Be Continued