7 answers to the most common questions about Alzheimer's disease

Is Alzheimer's disease fatal?

Yes. It is now considered the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. People are very afraid of this diagnosis and often underestimate or deny their symptoms altogether, making treatment difficult. But there are tools that help to temporarily stabilize the patient's condition, prolonging an active life.

Is it possible to prevent its occurrence?

There is no definite answer yet. However, a healthy lifestyle has been shown to help the brain stay in good health as we age. Try to eat healthily, eat more leafy vegetables and less saturated fat, be socially active, exercise, and get enough sleep.

I keep forgetting keys. Am I sick?

You should start worrying when forgetfulness makes life very difficult and interferes with your usual activities. Contact your doctor if you begin to forget important events, for example, that guests were supposed to come today, that you made an appointment or were going to meet with friends. This does not necessarily mean you have Alzheimer's. There may be other reasons as well.

Can genetic predisposition be tested?

Yes, there are tests that detect the presence of the ApoE4 gene, which is considered a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. It occurs in about 20% of the population, but not all of them get sick. Doctors believe that there is no particular point in taking such a test, it still will not give an exact answer. In addition, many, having learned about the presence of such a gene, perform worse on memory tasks.

Many people in my family have Alzheimer's. Will I get sick?

Not necessary, although it is a risk factor. If your first-line relatives (parents, siblings) are sick, your risk of getting sick is twice that of the rest of the population. Still, the main risk factor is age.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, the likelihood of developing the disease doubles about every five years after 65. And after 85, the risk rises to 50%.

Why are women more susceptible to this disease?

Two thirds of Alzheimer's patients are women. For a long time it was believed that the main reason is a longer life expectancy than men. However, this is not the only explanation. Perhaps the ApoE gene works differently in the female body. In addition, hormonal differences are also affected.

What do guardians need to know?

Caring for each patient requires individual measures, there is no one formula for everyone. It is especially important for caregivers to work with a social worker or elderly care professional.

In addition, caregivers need to understand the importance and difficulty of their task. 40% of caregivers themselves suffer from depression, so they need support. If you find yourself in this situation, do not forget to take care of yourself.