Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and the ability to think and, over time, can also affect a person’s ability to perform simple tasks.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which manifest as changes in thinking, memory, reasoning, and behavior, are known as dementia. “For this reason, Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes referred to simply as ‘dementia.’ Other diseases and conditions can also cause dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is its most common cause in older people, “says the aforementioned source.
According to experts, this disease is not a normal part of aging, but is the result of complex changes that occur in the brain and that begin years before symptoms begin to appear. These modifications cause the loss of neurons and their connections.
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection indicates that in the early stages, dementia goes unnoticed, since the onset is gradual. The most common symptoms include a tendency to forgetfulness, loss of notion of time and spatial dislocation, even in familiar places.
In the intermediate stage, on the other hand, the signs and symptoms become more evident and generate greater limitations. For example, people may begin to forget recent events as well as people’s names, they may become disoriented in their own home, have increasing difficulty communicating, and begin to need help with things like personal care.
To this is added, according to the Ministry of Health, that these patients face behavioral changes, for example, they go around the house or repeat the same questions.
According to this entity, scientific research shows that the risk of presenting this condition can be reduced by exercising regularly, not smoking, avoiding the harmful use of alcohol, controlling weight, eating a healthy diet and maintaining blood pressure and adequate blood concentrations of cholesterol and glucose.
Healthy habits
The practice of healthy habits is crucial to prevent or delay the possible appearance of this disease. For example, one key is to socialize. Being in contact with other people keeps the brain active.
Some studies indicate that feelings of self-efficacy and self-esteem derived from social activity are directly related to the maintenance of mental function.
Avoiding smoking is also important, as studies have found that smokers have a higher risk of dementia or some type of mental illness such as Alzheimer’s.
Diet plays a determining role in preserving mental health and therefore one of the recommendations of specialists is to reduce fats, especially saturated fats, as well as animal products such as meat and dairy, reduce the amount of processed foods and consume more fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced and healthy diet for the body.
Regular aerobic exercise, leg-strengthening exercises, and staying active throughout the day are also key.
Another healthy habit that people should work on is stress management. According to the Ministry of Health, it is important to identify good and bad stress. The good one is the one that is marked by a purpose and oriented to the achievement of results and success. One of the ways to deal with this situation is by putting into practice meditation techniques.
Trying to have a restful sleep and optimizing mental and social activity are two other aspects that people should work on in order to maintain good brain conditions. and prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and, as a consequence, dementia.