With people living longer, there are more being diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. I have a personal concern about this condition due to the loss of my grandmother to this terrible condition as well as her mother, my great grandmother. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases.
Mayo Clinic lists several types of dementia that worsen and are not reversible.
1. Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Although not all causes of Alzheimer’s disease are known, experts do know that a small percentage are related to mutations of three genes.
2. Vascular dementia. This is the second most common type of dementia and is caused by damage to the vessels that supply blood to your brain. Blood vessel problems can cause strokes or damage the brain in other ways.
3. Lewy body dementia. Lewy bodies are abnormal balloon like clumps of protein that have been found in the brains of people with Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. This is one of the more common types of progressive dementia.
4. Frontotemporal dementia. This is a group of diseases characterized by the breakdown (degeneration) of nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain.
5. Mixed dementia. Autopsy studies of the brains of people 80 and older that had dementia indicate that many had a combination of several causes, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in older adults. Although there are aspects such as age and family history that cannot be changed, many lifestyle habits may help decrease the chances of dementia.
· Diet and exercise. Research shows that lack of exercise increases the risk of dementia.
· Heavy alcohol use. Drinking large amounts of alcohol may increase the risk of dementia.
· Cardiovascular risk factors. These include high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol.
· Depression. Although not yet well understood, late-life depression might indicate the development of dementia.
· Diabetes. Having diabetes may increase your risk of dementia, especially if it is poorly controlled.
· Smoking. Smoking might increase your risk of developing dementia and blood vessel (vascular) diseases.
· Sleep apnea. People who snore and have episodes where they frequently stop breathing while asleep may be at higher risk of developing dementia.
· Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies. Low levels of vitamin D, vitamin B-6. Vitamin B-12 and folate may increase your risk of dementia.
There is no proven way to prevent dementia, but there are steps you can take that might help.
· Keep your mind active.
· Be physically and socially active.
· Quit smoking.
· Get enough vitamins.
· Manage cardiovascular risk factors.
· Treat health conditions.
· Maintain a healthy diet.
· Get quality sleep.
Research continues for a cure for Alzheimer’s, but as for now good health practices can help with cognitive abilities and health concerns. Check out mayoclinic.org for more information on Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Mayonnaise Rolls
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Mix all ingredients and distribute mixture evenly into muffin pan. Cook at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. Submitted by Linda Lankford, Elmwood/Chestnut Mound FCE Club.
