Many people operate under the mistaken belief that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are one and the same. However, the two are quite different. Dementia is a medical term used to describe a decline in mental function. Meanwhile, Alzheimer’s is a specific disease that affects the brain, causing a person’s ability to think, learn, and organize to diminish over time. Therefore, it’s accurate to say that Alzheimer’s disease is one potential cause of dementia. Researchers think that Alzheimer’s may be present in a person as early as 10 years before any symptoms show. It is most commonly found in people ages 65 and older.
This guide will help you understand Alzheimer’s disease a bit better, so you can better care for a loved one in your life suffering from it.
What triggers Alzheimer's?
Scientists believe that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a build-up of two proteins in your brain – amyloid protein and tau protein. When these proteins build up, the amyloid proteins form plaques while the tau proteins create tangles, both of which block nerve cells from transmitting signals to each other. In turn, the nerve cells slowly die. This typically begins in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory, but the condition eventually spreads to the rest of the brain. It is not known what exactly causes those proteins to build up in the first place.
That being said, while scientists aren’t sure about the exact cause, they have discovered some
genetic factors that can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. If your body contains a form of the apolipoprotein E gene, you are at a higher risk. Additionally, if you have a biological parent or sibling who has Alzheimer’s, your chances of getting it go up by about 10 to 30 percent. If you have two or more parents or siblings suffering from the disease, that makes you three times as likely to get it. Finally, individuals with Down syndrome have a higher risk of experiencing early-onset Alzheimer’s (i.e., Alzheimer’s disease that develops before age 65).
What is the life expectancy of a person with Alzheimer's?
Unfortunately, the
outlook
is not good for people living with Alzheimer’s. While the exact prognosis and outcome will vary, Alzheimer’s patients typically pass away 4 to 8 years after their initial diagnosis. However, some people can live up to 20 years following their diagnosis.
Is Alzheimer’s more common in one gender than another?
People of every gender can suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. However, nearly
two-thirds of people who live with the disease are women.
Why does Alzheimer's affect women more?
Several factors explain why women are more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s, but most
scientists think it’s due to women living longer than men on average. After all, old age is a primary factor in developing Alzheimer’s. But some scientists think there may be more to the story than women’s longer average lifespans. There are currently studies being done to determine whether women are more prone to the disease because of genetics or life factors.
What deficiency causes Alzheimer's disease?
The ultimate causes of Alzheimer’s are still quite murky, and it would not be accurate to say that any vitamin or nutrient deficiency causes the disease. We simply don’t know enough to make that claim. However, a
study of 1,658 participants found that low vitamin D levels were associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
What habits or lifestyles cause Alzheimer's?
Again, we don’t know enough about the causes of Alzheimer’s to say with confidence that a particular lifestyle or habit inevitably leads to the disease. However,
scientists are currently exploring whether cardiac and vascular diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol as well as metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. A
2015 study also found that smoking can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. So, if you’re hoping to make lifestyle changes to reduce your Alzheimer’s risk, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking would all be good places to start.
How Senior Memory Care Can Help
If you or a loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, it might be time to consider moving to an assisted living facility that offers memory care programs. Facilities such as
Heathwood Assisted Living
offer tailored programs to help with the unique challenges faced by Alzheimer’s patients. Specially trained staff members use proven techniques in a secure environment to help patients feel relaxed and comfortable. In the right type of program, residents with Alzheimer’s may experience less anxiety and fewer upsetting behaviors. In some cases, medication can even be reduced.
Heathwood Assisted Living has two locations in Penfield, NY and Williamsville, NY. We would be eager to get to know you and your loved one to discover if one of our memory care programs can help them find peace and comfort as they live with Alzheimer’s.
Contact us today to schedule a tour!
