Since Alzheimer’s usually affects older people who are above 65 years of age, in fact almost half of people aged 85 and up in the U.S. are said to have this brain disease, it then generally established that this is a disease that comes with aging.
What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease
- While Alzheimer’s is a problem that comes with age, there is a type of this disease that can affect younger individuals between 30 to 60 years old. This is called early onset Alzheimer’s and is said to be caused by genetics. The chances of a person getting early cases of Alzheimer’s is often dependent on whether a parent has it and these chances stand at 50 percent of the person having early Alzheimer’s due to this factor.
- There are still no real findings as to what causes the illness aside from genetic disposition. The gene that seems to be seen as the probable cause of an increased risk of getting Alzheimer’s in their old age is the gene called APOE or apoliprotein E. It has been seen that one of the many forms of this gene has been detected in around 40 percent of the people with this disease. While this may seem conclusive, a third of the people who suffer from Alzheimer’s do not seem to have this gene though.
What are Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?
How can you tell if a person is suffering from Alzheimer’s? What are the symptoms of early onset and late onset Alzheimer’s?
- Whether a person has early onset or late onset Alzheimer’s, this form of dementia is characterized by the same symptoms in early or late forms.
- Memory loss, disorientation, and confusion are just a couple of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s; but these can also be simple, everyday forgetfulness that may come with the aging process. To determine if a person is suffering from Alzheimer’s other symptoms that point to this problem have to be present as well.
- Alzheimer’s progresses gradually and may include such symptoms as the steady fall of a person’s ability to do routine and daily tasks that are simple and easy to do. The usually easy task of combing one’s hair or brushing one’s teeth becomes confusing or mind-boggling for someone with this problem.
- Other symptoms of Alzheimer’s include a difficulty in learning, gradual loss of language skills as well as memory, difficulty in thinking and judging things logically and clearly, and mood or personality changes.
- Some people with Alzheimer’s may become phobic or extremely fearful of the smallest things, suspicious of everyone around them, and even become completely dependent on others for the things that they used to do themselves.
Home Remedies and Natural Cures
There are actually no cures yet for this degenerative brain problem, and the only home remedies you can give people who are beset with Alzheimer’s are remedies that can help delay the onset of the disease or give the person some relief from it. Here are some you can try:
- Vitamin E has been known to help the brain function better and since Alzheimer’s is a brain disease, certain foods that are loaded with this vitamin may help. Almonds can be used as a supplement to help stop this disease in its tracks. Simply soak around 8 almonds in water overnight then peel these in the morning. These almonds should be eaten first thing in the morning, and this routine should be done for a few months or continuously.
- When a person seems to be depressed while suffering from Alzheimer’s, sesame oil drops can be used to help with this. Simply use warmed sesame oil on the person’s scalp and soles or dropped in their nostrils to alleviate this depression.
- Perk up someone who has this problem with a peppermint and lemon aromatherapy mixture. Just add some peppermint oil drops and lemon drops in hot water and let the person inhale the steam coming from this mixture.
Prevention Measures for Alzheimer’s Disease
Since Alzheimer’s is genetic and comes with age, some people believe that there is no way to prevent yourself from getting it if you are predisposed to getting this form of dementia in your old age. There have been findings though that certain lifestyles and habits increase the risk of such a disease in the long run. Here are some preventative measures you may want to try to avoid Alzheimer’s:
- There have been findings that people who suffered head injuries in their youth are more prone to getting Alzheimer’s as compared to those who have not experienced any hits to the head. Wearing safety gear for the head when engaged in physical activity at a young age may help you avoid this disease as you grow older.
- Unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking of alcohol have also been seen as possible causes for the onset of this disease. Changing your lifestyle to eliminate tobacco and to minimize the intake of alcohol may prevent the development of this disease in your golden years.
- It has been seen that constant social interaction as well as intellectual stimulation helps keep dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay. Keeping yourself busy and active and your mind challenged may very well keep Alzheimer’s at bay.
Diet and Food To Eat To Manage Alzheimer’s Disease
Nothing always beats a healthy diet when it comes to treating an ailment and preventing a disease from manifesting itself. Here are some suggestions for food you might want to eat to help with Alzheimer’s or to help prevent it:
- Carrots have long been hailed as a wonder vegetable, and the use of carrots and the beta-carotene in them to help with Alzheimer’s adds to its list of benefits.
- Foods that have high folic acid content can also help with protecting your brain from possible dementia and Alzheimer’s. Foods that are rich in folic acid include asparagus, papaya, oranges, broccoli, and strawberries.
- Vitamin-C-rich produce and foods are also very good additions to a diet that is aimed at preventing or helping to keep Alzheimer’s at bay. Citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables are known to contain high levels of vitamin C.
- Ginger can be added to the diet of someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s to help with the loss of flavor that sufferers sometimes complain about. Ginger tea can be made by steeping a piece of peeled and sliced ginger in some boiling water. Cool this down and drink this as a tea.
- Blueberries have also shown some beneficial properties that can help people with Alzheimer’s. Adding a few pieces of this fruit to the daily diet of an Alzheimer’s sufferer can greatly help.