Is Alzheimer's disease preventable? It's a question many ask but
few seem to get a straight answer to. That's probably because the
answer is just as vague as the exact cause of the disease.
Depending on who you ask, you're likely to hear one of three
responses: "No," "well, maybe," and "we don't know." Since 2000,
death rates from other major diseases have dropped while
Alzheimer's has risen by 66%. With 5.4 million Americans living
with Alzheimer's, you'd think we might have pinpointed an exact
cause as well as an answer about prevention by now, but the sad
truth is we haven't. So, what DO we know about Alzheimer's risk
factors and prevention?
We do know Alzheimer's results from a series of complex
interactions among multiple factors - age, genetics, coexisting
medical conditions and environment and lifestyle. The multiple
factors involved are in part why it is so difficult for scientists
to isolate a specific cause of the disease. However, it's obvious
there are some factors that simply cannot be changed. On the other
hand, new research is suggesting that paying attention to the other
factors could possibly reduce your risk of developing the
disease.
Risk Factors & Prevention
Heart - Head Connection
With 80% of individuals with Alzheimer's also having
cardiovascular disease, it's hard to deny the heart-head
connection. It is apparent that the risk appears to increase in
those with conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels, such
as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high
cholesterol.
Preventative Measures: It goes without saying,
but I'll say it - controlling cardiovascular risk factors may be
the absolute best and most cost-effective method for protecting
your brain health and preventing Alzheimer's disease. Each
heartbeat pumps 20-25% of your blood to your brain that in turn
uses at least 20% of the food and oxygen your blood carries.
Therefore, eating a healthy diet and exercising is the best way to
increase blood and oxygen flow to your brain.
There is also some evidence to suggest that maintaining strong
social connections and staying mentally active may be a
preventative measure. Scientists hypothesize that the direct
mechanisms occurring from social and mental simulation help protect
the brain.
Head Trauma
Studies have shown a link between serious head trauma and future
risk of Alzheimer's. Risk is especially increased when the injury
involves loss of consciousness.
Preventative Measures: Use a helmet when
participating in sports, wear a seat belt, and 'fall-proof' your
home.
Age
The largest risk factor is advancing in age. The majority of
individuals with Alzheimer's are age 65 or older and the risk
doubles every five years after the age of 65, with a 50% risk after
the age of 85. Why the risk rises so drastically as we advance in
age is one of the biggest mysteries of Alzheimer's disease.
Preventative Measures: Obviously, there is
absolutely nothing we can do to prevent ourselves from aging. It
happens every second of the day...as it should. I'm not sure any of
us truly want to be immortal.
Family History
Genetics, environmental factors, or a combination of both may
play a role in how diseases run in families. The same rings true
for those who have a parent, brother, sister or child with
Alzheimer's. The risk increases even more if more than one family
member has the disease. Scientists have identified risk and
deterministic genes that play a role in affecting whether or not a
person develops Alzheimer's. Risk genes do not guarantee that you
will develop the disease, but they increase the likelihood that you
will. Deterministic genes directly cause a disease and thus
guarantee that you will develop the disease if you carry those
genes. True familial Alzheimer's accounts for less than 5% of
cases, which is why health professionals do not currently recommend
routine genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease until more gene
research results are available.
Preventative Measures: We can't control our
genetics or the environment in which we were raised, but keeping
your doctor informed of your family history of Alzheimer's could
prove to be a big help in ruling out other conditions in the
future.
While research still may not be crystal clear on every factor,
the good news is that promising new research is under way which
might soon help in both areas. As the number of people with
Alzheimer's continues to rise, the effort to find prevention and a
cure continues to gain momentum. In the meantime, all we can do is
patiently wait and take active steps to lower our own risks through
diet, exercise, staying socially active, and protecting our
noggins.
For more information about Alzheimer's disease, visit www.alz.org.
Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education
Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior
Living