This is a scary disease. 40 million people around the world have Alzheimer’s Disease, however many more are significantly impacted by it – family, carers, communities, health workers, along with our already over burdened health systems.
Someone with dementia is diagnosed every 3 seconds and Alzheimer’s Disease is the most prevalent type accounting for 50-70%. If you live to 85 there is a 50% chance you will develop Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is the 2nd leading cause of death in NZ in 2017. http://www.healthdata.org/new-zealand
This disease is the fast growing epidemic in the western world. It is believed the increase in incidence is caused by our ageing population and the pure fact there are more of us. Environmental changes are attributed to the increase in incidence, as well as lifestyle.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a disease of the brain. It causes the brain to shrink and changes in neurons to occur so they don’t connect properly. People with Alzheimer’s Disease experience memory loss, confusion, personality change, apathy, withdrawal, depression and an inability to carry out activities of daily living.
Interestingly, the brain starts to change 20-30, maybe even 40 years before symptoms appear. So people who are in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s may be experiencing brain changes, and they don’t even know it. Basically if you have a brain you are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.
Many people believe that AD is genetic and it is out of our control as to whether you will develop it or not. Research shows that less than 5% of Alzheimer’s Disease is caused by genes. Therefore more than 95% of Alzheimer’s Disease is preventable.
There is no cure or treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. There is just care and management of symptoms.
This is all scary stuff. However lets review a significant point here. Alzheimer’s Disease is largely preventable.
To reduce your risk of getting this awful disease, you can change your lifestyle. It has been found that getting regular restorative sleep, eating a healthy diet, doing regular exercise, reducing stress, connecting with others and maintaining challenge and purpose in your life, are keys to prevention.
It is never too early, or too late to take care of your brain. You have the power to take control of your own destiny, whatever your age.
Health coaching can help you to make lifestyle changes so you can reduce your risk of developing this terrible disease.
sleep – nourish – move – calm – connect – purpose
Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash