World Alzheimer's Day 2021: ¿What do we know about this mysterious disease?
One of the few things that we know about Alzheimer's is the consequences: “It is a neurodegenerative disease that deteriorates memory and cognitive abilities, and also creates difficulty in problem-solving and multitasking”.
In this article, we are going to show facts science reveals to us about this disease.
1). Alzheimer was identified in 1901 by Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist.
2). Since1994, the world celebrates World Alzheimer’s Day every year on September 21st.
3). Alzheimer’s is thought to have a genetic component but environmental factors and brain trauma cause a risk of developing Alzheimer's as well.
4). A study, published in PLOS Biology journal, identified a probable cause of Alzheimer's is the leakage of blood into the brain along with fat-carrying particles that transport toxic proteins.
5). Most of those diagnosed are 65 or older. Although many go undiagnosed for years and symptoms can start as early as the 40’s.
6). Alzheimer’s is more prevalent in females: 1 in 5 women vs 1 in 11 men.
7). Scientists claim APOE-e4 gene is a cause of Alzheimer's.
8). Symptoms:
- Disruptive memory loss.
- Misplacing objects.
- Difficult in organizing thoughts and planning.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
- Orientation to time and place.
- Struggle with finances.
- Trouble with spatial relationships.
- Language difficulty.
- Poor judgment.
- Social withdrawal and isolation.
- Mood swings and changes in personality.
9). A recent study published in JAMA Neurology, says that sleep 7 to 8 per hours every night may lower the risk to develop Alzheimer's.
10). Scientists in Israel have shown that hyperbaric oxygen can stop new plaques from forming in the brain and even remove existing plaques, in mice with Alzheimer’s.
Please take the time to educate yourself on the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s, in honor of World Alzheimer’s Month. Many of the early symptoms can be explained away with “stress” or “fatigue” but the fact is that most Alzheimer’s patients go undiagnosed for an average of 2-3 years. Early diagnosis provides a window of time that could preserve years of life quality.