June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time meant to reinforce that your brain is a vital organ. It manages your ability to communicate, make decisions and live a full, independent life. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are some ways to support brain health. Lifestyle habits like exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, sleeping enough, and challenging your mind through learning or games can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain gradually destroying the ability to remember, reason, imagine and learn. The condition progresses over time.

There are 100 billion nerve cells in the brain. Each of these cells joins with others to form “communication networks.” Alzheimer’s disease prevents some of these cells from operating correctly, although scientists are unsure why. As the damage spreads, the cells cannot function and eventually die.

During normal aging, most people’s brains develop plaques (deposits of a protein fragment) and tangles (fibers of another protein). It has been discovered during autopsy that people suffering from Alzheimer’s have significantly more plaques and tangles. Scientists believe this may play a role in blocking nerve cell communication.

Risk Factors

Some risk factors for Alzheimer’s include the following:

  • Increasing age
  • Family history and genetics
  • Being of African-American or Latinx descent
  • Serious head injury

Symptoms

The Alzheimer’s Association identifies 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease to watch for:

  • Memory loss that disrupts daily life
  • Challenges in solving problems
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks
  • Confusion with time or place
  • Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
  • Trouble speaking or writing
  • Misplacing things
  • Decreased or poor judgment
  • Withdrawal from work or social activities
  • Changes in mood or personality

Diagnosis and Treatment

The first step is to take the person you are concerned about to a physician. There is no specific type of doctor for this disease, but in some cases, you may be referred to a specialist such as a neurologist or psychologist. Your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter can assist you in locating the proper physician.

At the doctor’s office, the patient will undergo a physical exam, diagnostic testing and a neurological exam. If diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the patient will likely be prescribed a cholinesterase inhibitor and/or memantine. Taking vitamin E may also be recommended.

Prevention

Research shows that keeping the brain healthy may help prevent Alzheimer’s. Take the following steps:

  • Eat a healthy diet
  • Stay socially active
  • Avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol
  • Exercise
  • Stimulate the brain with activities such as logic or word puzzles

Support

Alzheimer’s disease is devastating for both the patient and their loved ones. It can be especially difficult for the primary caretaker, so it is important to have a network of family and friends to lend a hand.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2007-2009. 2012, 2014, 2017-2018 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.