As June is known as Alzheimer’s Brain Awareness Month, it is important for everyone to learn a few things about this disease, how it manifests and how you need to see it.
First of all, Alzheimer’s is not normal aging, but it is a fatal disease that has various symptoms which most often develop over time and get worse. The worst stages of the disease occur when the person affected by Alzheimer’s is no longer able to stick to his/her daily routine, eventually ending up losing the body’s ability to function.
However, Alzheimer’s is a disease with which you can live up to 20 years, and it takes around four to eight years for the symptoms to become easy to notice for the ones around you. Unfortunately, this disease cannot be slowed, cured and not even prevented as it is the sixth killer in the United States.
Alzheimer’s should be regarded as a disease that affects your memory because the symptoms are various, such as changes in mood or personality, poor or decreased judgment and a reduced ability to solve problems, concentrate and communicate.
Experts explained that for friends and family, the usual symptoms consist of behavior changes and not memory loss. Furthermore, people often rely on denial, making Alzheimer’s even harder to detect.
However, early detection is highly important as it is related to financial status, emotions and physical conditions. Plus, it grants better access to support services, proper medical care and the chance for the diagnosed people to make wiser decisions regarding their health.
Even if Alzheimer’s cannot be slowed, early diagnosis allows the person suffering from this disease to benefit from the best available treatments and attend clinical studies. Another important aspect is that the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia is twice higher among African-Americans than among whites.
In addition to this, Hispanics are also more likely to develop the disease. Plus, women make up of two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s. The reality is harsh as more than 15 million family members, friends and caregivers have to deal with Alzheimer’s nowadays in the United States.
Nevertheless, scientists underline that our best bet to tackle Alzheimer’s disease is to have a healthy lifestyle, including diet and habits. A healthier lifestyle is known to reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Even if there is no clear method to prevent this disease, our brain is as important as any organ, so it is our duty to live healthy so we can stay healthy.
Image Source:Live In Care