Causes of Alzheimer's disease and risk factors

Same topic

The topic "Memory loss in the elderly" will help you learn about related content and topics, to together bring better health care solutions for the elderly.

• Diet to prevent memory loss in old age
• Distinguishing between age-related memory loss and dementia
• Stages and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
• Causes of Alzheimer's disease and risk factors
• Understanding Dementia and Alzheimer's

The cause of Alzheimer's disease remains a mystery, although scientists know that it involves the progressive loss of brain cells. Alzheimer's disease leads to the destruction of nerve cells and tissue damage throughout the brain.

Over time, the brain atrophies greatly, affecting almost all of its functions.

Scientists have also identified some risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Some causes of the disease are as follows:

Age

The most well-known risk factor for Alzheimer's is increasing age. One in eight Americans aged 65 and older has Alzheimer's, and nearly half of those aged 85 and older have the disease.

Family history and genetics

Other risk factors are family history of disease Research shows that people who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's disease are at higher risk of developing the disease.

The risk increases if more than one family member has the disease. When a disease tends to run in families, genetics (gene makeup) or environment, or both, may play a role.

Scientists have identified genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but they do not prove that a person with the gene will develop the disease. Research has also discovered some rare genes that make a person almost certain to develop Alzheimer's disease.

Most experts believe that most cases of Alzheimer's disease are the result of a complex interaction between genes and other risk factors. Now, research is beginning to reveal clues about other risk factors that may contribute to dementia in older adults.

Head injury: 

There seems to be a close connection between severe head injury and future risk of Alzheimer's, especially if the injury is repeated or results in loss of consciousness. Protect your brain by wearing a seat belt, wearing a helmet when playing sports, and having “fall protection” in your home.

The connection between the brain and the heart: 

• • Your brain is fed by one of the most nutrient-rich blood vessels in your body. Each heartbeat pumps about 201 to 251 bpm of blood to your brain, where brain cells use at least 201 bpm of the nutrients and oxygen that blood carries. New evidence points to a link between brain health and heart health.

• • The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia tends to be increased by problems that damage the heart or blood vessels.

Normal aging: 

Aging of the body and its functions is an inevitable part of human life. Strategies to limit aging in general can help keep the brain and body healthy. They may even provide protection against the development of Alzheimer's disease and some related diseases.

Conclusion

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease can be improved if detected early and with proper intervention from the family. In addition to using drugs for treatment, home care for the elderly, actively confide, read books, help the elderly practice cognitive function. We can limit the above risk factors through choosing the right lifestyle, or finding reasonable health care methods to effectively screen for symptoms such as:

• • Regular health check-ups every 6 months/year or can be monitored every 3 months/year for the elderly with high-risk diseases.

• • Proper nutrition and keeping body weight within recommended limits help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol.

• • Actively exercise your body and mind, live close to the community to increase social connections and support the brain.

• • Protect the body and safety of the elderly, have "anti-fall" measures right in your home.