What is Alzheimer’s?
Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type is considered to be one of the most terrible neurodegenerative disorders of amnesic nature. It affects over 5.4 million targets per annum in the only United States of America alone. What’s worse? It is described as irreversible and progressive because of its gradual nature of deterioration of cognitive functions. From an episodic loss of memory, sufferers experience a persistent decline in procedural memory in which everyday tasks such as eating, drinking, washing oneself and relationships are completely forgotten. All these have negative impacts on suffers’ lives, their well being in particular. Nothing is as mind disturbing as the fact that the disease is irreversible and cannot be cured. However, it can be prevented and managed when it occurs.
Alzheimer’s is generally known as the disease of old age. It shows up, usually, after age 60. Genes, medical science claims, are mainly responsible for the occurrence of this disease, however, as helpless as the situation sounds, it can be prevented, made to appear relatively late in worse cases. So what can be done to attempt its prevention or health management?
Home Remedies for Alzheimer’s Disease are
- Eating healthy diets
- Getting enough sunshine
- Exercising
- Participating in social activities
- Avoiding tobacco
- Taking Ayurvedic herbs
- Using traditional Chinese treatment regimen
- Strengthening your immune system
- Mental workout
- Practicing meditation daily
Let`s discuss them.
Eat Healthy Diets
There are foods that are healthy for brain health; they are referred to as superfoods because of how essential they are. They are particularly nourishing to the brain cells. What are some of these foods? Blueberries and walnuts! They prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Blueberries are bursting with anti-oxidants, and walnuts have some amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. A regular consumption of blueberries and walnuts has been proven to be highly beneficial in reducing brain-related conditions, Alzheimer’s disease in particular.
Get Enough Sunshine
Getting enough sunshine, enhances the production of more vitamin D which is essential to protect you from a number of neuro-immune and neurodegenerative disorders.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is necessary for the overall well being of the body and brain. It keeps the brain healthy and active.
Engage in Social Activities
What are you doing to develop yourself and relate with others? Are you reading, writing, in an intellectual community forum, learning to play a sport, a musical instrument or a new language, or taking up some tasks that keep you thinking? It may even be seemingly unimportant activities such as playing chess, scrabble, a puzzle, and other games that demand some high-level cognitive functions. All these will help you keep Alzheimer’s disease away. Get busy!
Why Smoke Tobacco?
Smoking heavily over a period of time exposes one to the risk of having dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. A tobacco-free individual is one with a better cardiovascular health which ensures sufficient blood supply to the brain. This blood supply to the brain ensures an adequate amount of oxygen and other significant nutrients. And there you go, a healthy brain, free from the Alzheimer’s disease.
Take Ayurvedic Herbs
Ayurvedic herbs such as brahmi, jatamansi, shankhpushpi, guggulu, gotu kola, ashwagandha, and turmeric effectively combat ADHD, memory problems, and cholesterol. These herbs promote neuron growth, improve intelligence, and sharpen memory. Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are effective in combating amnesia, dementia, and other brain conditions.
Using Traditional Chinese Treatment Regimens
There are a number of Chinese regimens that have neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. One of them is Huperzine A, a Chinese medicine that is highly essential in improving memory and enhancing learning. Polygalaceae (the root of Polygala tenuifolia) is another essential Chinese herb that is superb for treating amnesia and forgetfulness. Another is gingko biloba which combats the causes of dementia due to its antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.
Use Coconut Oil
Ketones, a powerful brain food, is present in coconut oil. Did you know that coconut oil contains healthy fats which are essential in rebuilding the lining of nerves and improving the brain communication? This excellently improves the brain function and has been proven effective for people suffering from dementia and related conditions.
Consume Vitamins B, D, and E
The entire group of vitamin B is undeniably beneficial in preventing dementia; and for those whose genes make it impossible for them to avoid it, the vitamin B family delays dementia in such persons. Vitamin E is also brain-friendly — it prevents memory loss. These vitamins can either be taken via supplements or by consuming vitamin B, vitamin D, and vitamin E enriched diet.
Consume Adequate Minerals
Omega 3 fatty acids present in seafood fight dementia. You can be sure to prevent Alzheimer’s disease by consuming adequate minerals.
Strengthen the Immune System
A well functioning immune system ensures that microglial cells in the brain function smoothly. This, definitely, delays the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.
Meditate Daily
Yoga and other exercises are essential to keep a healthy and well-functioning brain. These practices, along with the consumption of gluten and simple carb-free diet enhance the memory. What else? Other healthy practices such as getting sufficient and sound sleep are also essential, as stress is responsible for the deterioration of brain functions. And because yoga and meditation relieve the body of stress, they are reliable for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s Facts
- Each day, thousands of American families are affected by the disease.
- Every 3.2 seconds, a new case of dementia occurs somewhere in the world.
- Alzheimer’s is projected to cripple America’s healthcare system.
- People who have Alzheimer’s disease need others to care for them, and many of those providing care are not paid for their time and services.
- Every 65 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer’s.
- By mid-century, someone in America will develop the disease every 33 seconds.
- Not less than 46.8 million people all over the world are believed to be living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. By 2030, there may be an increase to nearly 74.7 million. By 2050, rates could exceed 131.5 million.
- Over 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. These caregivers are usually immediate family members or friends and other relatives. Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease has a negative impact on the employment, income, health, and financial security of many caregivers.
- Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death that is still on the rise.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death across all ages in the United States. For people who are 65 years old or above, it is the fifth-leading cause of death.
- Alzheimer’s disease is the only major cause of death that increased from 2009 to 2010, while other major causes of death declined.
If Alzheimer`s is a form of dementia, what then are others?
Types of Dementia
Dementia can be split into two groups, based on the part of the brain that is affected. Let`s take a look at this.
- Cortical dementias happen as a result of problems in the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain. People with these types of dementia usually have drastic memory loss and find it difficult to remember words or understand language. Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are forms of cortical dementia.
- Subcortical dementias occur because of problems in the parts of the brain beneath the cortex. People who suffer subcortical dementias show changes in their thinking speed and ability to perform certain tasks. Ordinarily, people with subcortical dementia don’t have forgetfulness and language problems.
