{"id":477,"date":"2018-05-12T10:00:50","date_gmt":"2018-05-12T10:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fnfdoc.com\/?p=477"},"modified":"2018-05-22T00:37:03","modified_gmt":"2018-05-22T00:37:03","slug":"risk-factors-alzheimers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fnfdoc.com\/risk-factors-alzheimers\/","title":{"rendered":"Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alzheimer’s!<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

It was just a medical term I had read in newspapers and magazines. All I knew about it was that it was related to memory loss and old age. Never in my worst nightmare did I dream of Alzheimer’s becoming my reality until six years ago when my brother John was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.<\/strong> He worked as an architect in California. A well-bred, well-educated and empathetic gentleman who cared for everyone around him. I remember he let me live at his place rent-free when I lost my job.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is heart-wrenching to see somebody so close to you not recognize you and be whittled away by this hideous disease. He is fading away<\/strong> by inches and by bits and pieces. And all I can do is stand and watch. It is horrible and torturous. The experience is so cruel and ruthless that I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. My brother had no family for he never married. So I am his primary caregiver. Life was a bed of roses for him until one day he bumped his head on a flagpole.<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, it was twilight. The darkness began to envelop every facet of his life.<\/strong> He was only 47 when he began forgetting things<\/strong>, numbers, and dates. (He was really good at numbers before that) All of a sudden, he was asking me how to insert the key into the ignition. I was surprised by this abrupt change and knew something was wrong. We went to see a neurologist who took some brain-imaging tests and came up with this earth-shattering diagnosis. His life and mine came to a standstill. Now every day is a struggle – a struggle to button up the T-shirt, a struggle to park the car right and a struggle to get through the day alive.<\/span><\/p>\n

I can go on and on about the medications the doctors prescribed or the <\/span>researches we tried, the number of times I yelled at God, and the fact that he doesn’t remember his date of birth. But that is not what I am here for. I don’t want to write a sad, depressing account of how everything spiraled downward into an abyss of hopelessness and melancholy. Actually, I wish to pen words of hope and optimism<\/strong>. We will discuss the risk factors<\/em><\/strong> that increase your risk for Alzheimer’s so that you may influence your chances consciously. Although the tunnel is dark and rocky, there is light at its end. The dawn will come for those who have the courage to survive the night.<\/span><\/p>\n

Assessing Risk For Alzheimer’s disease<\/span><\/h2>\n

Scientists are trying to find ways to prevent Alzheimer’s before it comes knocking at your doorstep. Extensive research is taking place even as you read this. Everyone hopes to put together the answer before it becomes a global issue. Here are a few risk factors that you can and can’t avoid:<\/span><\/p>\n

Advancing age<\/span><\/h3>\n

Increasing age poses a serious risk for Alzheimer’s. It is not exactly known why this happens. But cognitive function does show a decline as one grows older. According to studies, the disease is more common among individuals aged 65 and older. In fact, one in nine people<\/strong> in this age group and nearly one-third<\/strong> of people age 85 and older have Alzheimer’s<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Genetic Predisposition<\/span><\/h3>\n

Scientists have noticed that people who have a close relative already suffering from the disease are more likely to have it than those without a family history. For, if you have a cousin, uncle or sibling who succumbed to Alzheimer’s, then there is a high probability that you will also have the disease. Genetic studies have found that individuals who inherit one or two copies of APOE<\/a>-e4 gene<\/strong> are more susceptible to it. Other genes that determine your chances are those that code for amyloid precursor protein(APP), presenilin I (<\/strong><\/span>PS I ) and presenilin II (PS II).<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Avoid Serious, Traumatic Head Injury<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
\"Head
Head Injury<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There is substantial research that links Alzheimer’s with a head injury and blows to the head. Especially important are the injuries where you lose consciousness and bleed or injuries followed by memory loss. It is correct that you can’t control your genes but you can prepare for unwanted head injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n