If you don't have any of these 4 symptoms, congratulations! Alzheimer's won't 'find' you
At present, China has 8-9 million Alzheimer's patients, accounting for about one-fifth of the world's total. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia in old age, and it is also one of the most common chronic diseases in old age, accounting for about 50%-70% of dementia in old age.
"In the past, Alzheimer's disease was generally seen in the elderly over the age of 65." Director Bian Hong of the Department of Neurology of Jinan Central Hospital told reporters, "The current survey data shows that the age of onset of Alzheimer's is about 10 years earlier than in the past."
Grandma Deng is 75 years old and a retired teacher. Her wife passed away at an early age and she lives alone. When she first retired, Grandma Deng was in good health and often participated in community activities to keep her home clean.
Three years ago, Grandma Deng's family found that her personality and behavior were a little abnormal. She often had a remote control in her hand, but she looked for it everywhere, and her things were scattered everywhere, and her temper became irritable. I even forgot to turn off the gas when I went downstairs, went out to the market to buy food and went downstairs, but I didn't know what I was going to do.
The family began to feel that something was wrong, so they quickly took the old man to the hospital for treatment. It turned out that Grandma Deng had Alzheimer's disease, which is known as the "fourth killer" of the health of the elderly.
What is Alzheimer's?
The so-called senile dementia, medically known as Alzheimer's disease, is caused by the occurrence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampus of the brain, causing the function of the hippocampus to decline or even atrophy.
The etiology of Alzheimer's disease is more complex, mainly including the following major causes:
Family history: Epidemiological studies have shown that Alzheimer’s disease is related to heredity. Studies have confirmed that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by autosomal dominant genes. If a family member has Alzheimer’s disease, the probability of other family members developing Alzheimer’s will be higher. much taller than others.
Head trauma: People who have had a previous head injury are also at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. Of course, this type of trauma refers to head trauma accompanied by impaired consciousness.
Depression: Some studies suggest that a history of depression is an important factor in Alzheimer's disease, especially senile depression, which increases the risk of Alzheimer's.
The incidence of Alzheimer's is very high. According to data, in 2015, among the elderly over the age of 85, the probability of developing Alzheimer's was as high as 25%, which means that for every four elderly people over the age of 85, the probability of developing dementia was as high as 25%. One person has Alzheimer's disease.
You must know that Alzheimer's is very harmful. In addition to reducing the quality of life of patients, it also increases the economic burden of the family. To a certain extent, it also affects the physical and mental health of family members, making family members feel desperate.
These people are most likely to be "fancy" by Alzheimer's
Family history: As mentioned above, Alzheimer's disease is a dominant inheritance. Therefore, if a member of the family suffers from Alzheimer's disease, we must pay more attention to eating habits and daily routine to avoid being "fancy" by Alzheimer's disease.
Elderly people living alone and with a withdrawn personality: Elderly people living alone are prone to have withdrawn personality problems. Because of living alone, these elderly people have less communication with the outside world, and their sense of loneliness gradually increases. Gradually worse, over time prone to Alzheimer's.
Patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: Because patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are prone to the problem of insufficient blood supply, it is more likely to affect the health of the brain, thereby inducing Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the elderly with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should pay more attention to the progress of the disease to avoid the deterioration of the disease.
Smoking and drinking: Studies have shown that people who smoke two packs of cigarettes a day are 157% more likely to develop dementia, and people who drink more than 14 bottles of alcohol a week are more than twice as likely to develop dementia. Therefore, people who smoke and drink alcohol should be careful to be "fancy" by Alzheimer's!
Low immunity: Like other diseases, Alzheimer's is more likely to appear in people with low immunity. Such people's poor physical fitness will reduce the function of the brain's nervous system. Over time, it will leave opportunities for Alzheimer's .
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Sudden decline in memory: One of the most typical symptoms of Alzheimer's is memory decline. At first, it will be lost, and the things you have just said will be forgotten. Later, this situation will become more serious, and you will not even remember what you said or remember. Take the names of relatives and friends.
Language barrier: If you find that the elderly at home are chatting, it is always difficult to express their meaning, or they use repeated words to explain, even in the case of writing, it is difficult to express their meaning clearly, It is about to attract attention, this is not the performance of the old man's nagging, it is likely to be caused by Alzheimer's.
Often get lost: Many Alzheimer's patients often do not know where they are in their lives, and can't remember the way home. Many times they just go to places close to home and do not know how to get home. There are many That's how the old man got lost. If you find that the elderly in your family have lost their way, you must pay attention and go to the hospital for inspection in time!
Deterioration of temper, sensitive and suspicious: Although there will be some changes in temper and personality with age, the changes in Alzheimer's patients are very extreme. Become very sensitive, always doubt this doubt that.
If you find the above symptoms in the elderly at home, you should be alert to Alzheimer's disease, and it is best to go to the hospital for a checkup to confirm.
In fact, the appearance of Alzheimer's can be avoided.
Dementia prevention measures
Develop healthy living habits: Japanese scientists have found that if you consume a lot of salt, oil, tobacco and alcohol when you are young, the probability of developing Alzheimer's in old age will be greatly increased, because a lot of salt, fat and alcohol will speed up the brain. cells shrink, increasing the risk of Alzheimer's.
More sun exposure: The British "Daily Telegraph" published an article saying that more sun exposure can effectively reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Studies have found that elderly people who are severely deficient in vitamin D are at twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and sun exposure is the easiest and most effective way to supplement vitamin D.
Drink more tea: Tea is beneficial to reduce the viscosity of our blood, reduce the chance of lipid accumulation in our blood vessels, and is of great help in reducing our blood lipids. Brew three or five cups a day, and blood lipids will slowly drop.
Chrysanthemum: not only can clear heat and detoxify, but also reduce blood viscosity and prevent blood vessel blockage;
Cassia: clearing the liver and improving eyesight, and can effectively reduce blood clots;
Honeysuckle: can dredge blood vessels and maintain blood vessel elasticity;
Combine chrysanthemum, cassia seed, honeysuckle, burdock root and sweet-scented osmanthus together to make a tea bag soaked in water, persist for one month, and blood lipids will drop quietly.
Keep a good attitude: A British study shows that people who are calm and don't like to lose their temper are less likely to develop Alzheimer's in old age. Therefore, whether young or old, you should maintain a good attitude in life.
Do more brain exercises: Persistent use of the brain can prevent brain diseases and naturally reduce the risk of Alzheimer's. Elderly people should also use their brains more. Reading newspapers and writing diaries are good things to exercise their brains.