Can Alzheimer's Be Prevented?
A daily routine that can be sustained is much better than random exercises. Trampolining, yoga, walking and some aerobic work are best forms of exercise
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The other day a lady was browsing a book on Alzheimer's at the Delhi airport and her friend asked her to share what she finds - in a beat the lady replied: Only if I can remember it when I put the book down.
The Mental Health Day this week brings into focus the growing incidence of this disease- two decades back it was rare in India and even today rural India is among the least affected in worldwide statistics. Urban India is a different story with a growing incidence of this fading mind disease at 1 million cases per year.
Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and skill. Early signs are impaired memory in daily life, challenges in planning and solving problems, difficulty in completing familiar tasks, confusion with time and space, fresh problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things, poor judgment and withdrawal from work or social activities with mood and personality changes.
It can come on in early years but shows up most often in the 60s and usually develops as a result of complex interactions among age, genetics, environment and lifestyle. Here are preventives that push away the onset:
Physical exercise
Heart disease impacts vascular dementia thus just being active and sending plenty of blood to the brain a great way to heart and brain health. A daily routine that can be sustained is much better than random exercises. Trampolining, yoga, walking and some aerobic work are best forms of exercise.
Food
Plant based diets are highly recommended with minimal animal products and a leaning towards healthy fats. In the West Mediterranean diets are known to be unfriendly to Alzheimer's
Social Connections
Positive Relationships with the world and family support a healthy brain and it is best to invest in them through life. The reason may not be well understood but the research is fairly conclusive on the positive effects of social contact, conversations and laughter.
Intellectual Stimulation
Giving the brain plenty of exercise is a well known anti ageing tool. Finding ways to be challenged intellectually from learning new skills, active conversations, travelling, exploring new worlds, nurturing a passion are routes to staying youthful in the head.
Head Trauma
A strong link exists between head injury and future Alzheimer's: the best preventions are to safeguard with seat belts, helmets and generally fall proofing your home.
The film 'The Notebook' popularised the Alzheimer's story in a very romantic way- the reality is much harder specially on the family. Good lifestyle choices are the best preventive and don't procrastinate that.
Here's wishing us all good mental health!
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