George Fernandes, the former union defence minister, died at 88 in Delhi on Tuesday. He was suffering from a prolonged illness, Alzheimer’s disease. Recently, he contracted swine flu. He was fighting with Alzheimer’s disease from a very long time. Alzheimer’s disease is a serious mental condition in which a person experiences problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. Here is all you need to know about the disease and what causes it.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental decline among the elderly and it shortens people’s lifespans. According to the Alzheimer’s society, the disease cannot be the sole reason for someone’s death. People die from complications from the disease, such as blood clots and infections. A person suffering from this disease experiences major memory loss and some people even lose the ability to move or eat by themselves.
Also read: Why are women at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's?
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What are the Symptoms?
- Forget about conversations, appointments or events
- Misplace personal belongings
- Forget names of family members and friends
- Lose the ability to find the right words to identify objects and express thoughts
- Experience difficulty in interpreting things in their surroundings and may get lost in familiar places
- Inability to concentrate
- Making everyday judgment and decisions becomes increasingly difficult
- Difficulty in performing day-to-day activities such as brushing, bathing, etc.
- Suffer from depression or anxiety
- Frequent mood swings
- Increased stubbornness
- Disrupted sleep and sleeping habits
- Wandering away from home
What are the Causes?
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not yet known but they are some cause that may impact the brain over time.
- Genetics: People who have a family history of the disease are more at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
- Down Syndrome: the reason behind this unclear but those who suffer from down syndrome are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
- Age: Your risk of Alzheimer’s goes up as you get older. People over the age of 65 are at a higher risk of developing the disease.
How you can Slow Down its Progression?
Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is not just healthy for your body but it is healthy for your mind as well. Alzheimer’s disease is an inflammation of the brain, which could be avoided by avoiding sugary foods, fried and fast food. Eat a Mediterranean diet, plenty of omega-3 fatty acids and loads of fruits and vegetables.
Exercise Regularly
Various studies have suggested that exercising regularly can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise stimulates the brain’s ability to think. You can also meditate to relax and reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Good Sleep
You might think what has sleep to do with slowing Alzheimer’s progression, but a study has suggested that bad sleeping habits can lead to various health disease including memory and cognitive impairment.
Do Not Stress
Most of the diseases you suffer from are somehow related to stress. Taking too much stress can take a toll on your health. Chronic stress affects the proper functioning of the brain, thereby increasing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
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