World Alzheimer’s day was celebrated on September 21. On 1901 German psychiatrist Alosis Alzheimer identified the first case. So it is known as Alzheimer’s disease. The first diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease was in 1906. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder. It slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It is the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is the main symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that connect to each other. In Alzheimer’s disease, connections between these cells are lost. So proteins build up and form abnormal structures called plaques and tangles. Eventually nerve cells die and brain tissue is lost.
Age is the biggest factor for Alzheimer’s. It mainly affects people over 65. Above this age, the person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles about every five years. One in six people over 80 have dementia many of them have Alzheimer’s disease. In India more than 4 million people are estimated to be suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia..
Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease:
- Diabetes
- Mid-life hypertension
- Mid –life obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Depression
- Smoking
- Low educational attainment
Prevention of Alzheimer’s disease:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise regularly
- Try cognitive training exercises
- Eat plant based diet
- Consume more antioxidants
- Maintain an active social life