We all know what Alzheimer's is, right? But do we really know what exactly it is? Although scientists have not shown conclusive evidence what causes this disease, there are a number of probable causes that tip the scales towards this harsh disease. In addition, detecting it in time is important to start treatment and try to delay it. As for prevention... there is a lot of information there that we will detail below.
Alzheimer's is a disease that generally affects those over 60 years of age, but as with menopause, it can appear well before its established age. It has not been shown that this disease affects men more than women, but the numbers show a certain parity, therefore, sex is not taken into account when determining possible causes.
What is Alzheimer's?
This disease is not like the flu, which comes, we are sick for a few days and then leaves us alone, but once it makes an appearance, our lives decline. A very tough disease that weighs down hundreds of families every year and for which there is still no cure or effective treatment, only maintenance medication to alleviate the symptoms.
Alzheimer's is a progressive neurological disorder, that is, a degenerative disease and causes the brain to shrink and slowly kill neurons. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, which occurs after a continuous deterioration of cognitive abilities, thinking, behavior, social relationships, thinking, remembering, making decisions, speaking and all those factors that make us independent and independent people. We can live without depending on anyone.
Possible causes of the disease
Surely on more than one occasion we have wondered what causes Alzheimer's? And it is that at the moment it has not been shown what factors cause us to suffer from this disease from the age of 60, so its most probable causes are the most logical conclusions after countless studies.
Among the most certain causes that scientists have compiled we have:
- Genetic heritage.
- Environmental factors.
- Genetic changes (they are very rare and isolated cases and are what cause the disease to appear at an early age).
- Neuropathological causes (failures occur in the connections between neurons and later die, producing inflammatory processes and memory loss).
- Unhealthy lifestyle habits.
- Heart problems.
- Age.
- Toxic substances.
- Head trauma.
- Sleep disorders. (By not resting the brain, the damage accumulates).
- Oral infections such as gingivitis, periodontitis, herpes, etc.
Scientists have concluded that Alzheimer's appears after the interaction of various factors, especially genetic, environmental and lifestyle that affect the brain in the long term. So much so that when the disease begins to make an appearance, it is estimated that the process began about 10 or 15 years earlier.
Main symptoms of Alzheimer's
As we have already said, there is no single cause, nor is a certain age reached, and boom! We already know if we have the disease or not. It is a long and silent process that when it shows its face it is already too late. We are going to say some symptoms to detect Alzheimer's quickly, either in ourselves or in a friend, acquaintance or relative.
- Memory failures such as repeating affirmations, forgetting conversations, asking the same thing over and over again, forgetting names and dates that we knew perfectly before, getting lost in a place that is very familiar to us, basic vocabulary problems, etc.
- Feeling dazed and out of place.
- Trouble concentrating especially with numbers.
- Difficulty valuing something or making decisions, even if it is something simple like choosing a shirt or a plate of food.
- inability to plan or carry out activities that require prior organization, such as cooking, playing, bathing, eating, etc.
- Changes in behavior and personality, becoming apathetic, fearful, suspicious, socially isolated, aggressive, irritability, delusions, depression, etc.
- Sleep disorders, those with Alzheimer's tend to have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep for a long time.
Factors riesgo
There are a number of risk factors that can lead to the onset of the disease. If we have carefully read the possible causes, we can discover that the risk factors for Alzheimer's are in that thread. In other words, to try to avoid the disease, or at least delay it as much as possible, we have to eat a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds and others, have a healthy lifestyle, avoid blows to the head, keep mentally active, being sociable and interacting with other people, having a good rest, etc.
Apart from these factors for the better in our day to day, there are other risk factors for Alzheimer's that, no matter how much we want to, we cannot change:
- Age, since after 60 you enter a risk zone.
- Genetic inheritance. If there is a family history, we can suffer from the disease too.
- Excessive alcohol consumption.
- Smoking.
- Heart problems, hence the importance of a healthy lifestyle and always stay active.
- Environmental pollution, a risk factor to which we are exposed on a daily basis, unless we can move to areas with less pollution, such as the outskirts of large cities, coastal areas, rural areas, etc.
- Being of one sex or another, a factor that we cannot change. Alzheimer's affects equally, but women, by living longer, are more likely to suffer from the disease.
- Down's syndrome.
- Head injuries.
- Obesity.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes type 2.
- High cholesterol.
- Mild cognitive impairment.
Can Alzheimer's be prevented?
no unfortunately cannot be prevented this sickness. Moreover, it is believed that, even if we discover the exact cause or causes that lead us to suffer from Alzheimer's, we will not be able to prevent the arrival of the disease. At present we only have medicines to alleviate the symptoms and in some cases they manage to delay the arrival, but the disease continues its course and is unstoppable.
The specialists recommend leading a healthy life away from drugs, alcohol and tobacco, as well as changing ultra-processed and unhealthy food for a balanced and varied diet with fresh and healthy products, avoiding sugar to a large extent, playing sports, staying mentally active, participating in social activities, taking care of our hearts and oral health, avoiding obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol, reading, dancing, playing board games, playing musical instruments, etc.