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Alzheimer's Prevention

Monthly Archives: April 2014

Alzheimer’s Prevention – Exercise

Posted on April 23, 2014 by John V

During the next few weeks we will introduce the various methods that can be used to prevent Alzheimer’s Dementia being a destructive disease or at least how we can slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s.

From all the research that I have completed, I concluded that Exercise has to be the number 1 strategy to combat Alzheimer’s.  No doubt there will be many medical professionals and other experts who disagree with this statement, but I am sure that there are many more who will totally agree with this.

Sure, there are plenty of alternatives that we will cover in the next few weeks, but the most effective way to delay the onset of Alzheimer Dementia is Exercise.  Alzheimer's Exercise

I am sure that you all agree that exercise is good for your general health.  And I am also sure that many of us could exercise more.  But when you realize how debilitating the effects of Alzheimer Dementia are, the more motivated everyone should be to exercise more on a regular basis.

Apart from the fact that your health will improve, you will start to feel fitter, you will more than likely lose some weight (if you are overweight), you will feel younger, and progressively you will be able to do more.

Exercising does not only improve your physical fitness, it improves your mental health as well.  Even a small amount of regular exercise can release stress, reduce anxiety, ease depression and improve your mood.  No matter how old you are, we can all benefit from physical exercise as it will make you feel better and you reach a feeling of general well-being.

People that exercise regularly feel more energetic throughout the day, they usually sleep better at night, they have sharper memories, and they feel more relaxed and positive about their own lives. You do not need to spend hours pumping weights or run marathons to achieve these results.

For people with Alzheimer’s in their family (parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters etc.) it is best to start when you are still young, so that exercise will become part of your daily routine – so that it becomes one of your vital priorities.

The day I turned 40 I started going for regular health check-ups.  In Australia they welcomed this – and the doctor would often say: “Oh John, your cholesterol is a bit high and you should lose some weight” but that hardly motivated me.   Then we moved to the UK and it was: “Mr. Van Dijk – if you do not do something about your cholesterol and your weight – then we will”.

That was the motivation I needed, since then I started getting up between 5:00 and 5:30 am – 6 days a week to exercise.  It took me about 2 years to lose 28 kgs. and I have kept most of that off for about 16 years now.  Now nutrition is also an important factor here, but I will come back to healthy eating later.

Any exercise that raises your heart rate is beneficial, since it also improves your cardiovascular system.  So, if you have not exercised regularly, the most important thing to do is to start.  Even if it is just a brisk walk for 30 minutes, it will start to do you good.  Then gradually increase this to about 1 hour.

Any exercise: swimming, jogging, running, skipping, stretches, weight or resistance training, aerobics, dancing, just use your imagination.  Personally I now exercise at least 6-7 hours per week.  I go running 3 days a week and go to an outdoor gym (courtesy of the local city council) for the other 3 days ( I have one rest-day).  I normally run just over 10 kms and use the gym for about 70 minutes, rowing, doing stretches and weights.

OK – but what if your relative suffering with Alzheimer’s is a lot older and is not so fit anymore?   Again, the important message is to start.  We need to improve the blood flow.  So, even if we simply start with a walk around the block, it is a beginning.  Perhaps there is a gym nearby – almost all retirement village have a gym these days, and if not a gym – perhaps a pool.Alheimer's exercise, walking

For senior people there are lots of programs that can be followed in the privacy of your own home.  There are exercise programs on DVD  – here is an example.

Another great suggestion for both young and old is to get a Nintendo Wii or Microsoft XBox.  There are many sports games that get people up out of their chair and involved in the game and into bodily movements AND they can have fun at the same time.

Here is one of the resources that I can recommend for further reading.

Why does Exercise work?

The brain is an amazing organ.  The brain actually needs lots of energy which is supplied through millions of small blood vessels.  When you exercise your body, you actually exercise your brain at the same time.  This increased blood flow to the brain is actually very good for you.  The more active your brain – the less chance for Alzheimer Dementia to develop – thus slowing the onset of dementia.

On our “What is it page” we describe how the brain cells get clogged with tangles and plaque and start to die.  Scientists are suggesting that regular exercise slows down the development of these tangles and plaque and therefore keep you brain healthier for longer.  We are not suggesting that you will not get Alzheimer’s – but we are slowing down the onset of dementia.

So – what is holding you back?

 

 

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What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s ? (2)

Posted on April 14, 2014 by John V

Last week we looked at the early symptoms of Alzheimer Dementia – this week we look at the more serious symptoms showing signs that the disease is advancing.

TROUBLE UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMAGES

When people start having difficulty identifying images or even start having difficulty reading, then this could be another indicator that dementia is advancing.Looking Out

Now logically, any vision problem should be checked for impaired vision first, there could be a cataract developing.  But if that is not the case and the person is having trouble reading or determining colour and contrast, then you should test for Alzheimer’s.

Quite a few people will also have impaired judgment of distances.  When that happens it is important that they no longer drive cars or motorbikes.  I know that is a drag on the family – but increased care is now essential.

SPEAKING OR WRITING

It is quite common for people in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s symptoms, to have trouble following or joining into a conversation.  Again – you need to be careful in diagnosing symptoms.

I have had it myself, when I am suffering from jet-lag, and when I am really tired, that the mind more or less goes to sleep – and even in the middle of a conversation – you completely lose your train of thought.  That is NOT a symptom of Alzheimer’s.

But when people who are not tired – and they stop halfway through a conversation – and cannot complete the conversation – or when they start to ramble a bit – or when they start repeating themselves – then these are common Alzheimer’s symptoms.

MISPLACING OR LOSING ITEMS

Last week we looked at forgetfulness as an early symptom.  However, when people start to regularly lose items or put them away in unusual places, then this could easily be another symptom of Alzheimer Dementia.

For example, when you need to look for the car keys in the fridge, or cups and saucers in the linen press, then you know something is not right.  I have seen quite a few cases where people accuse others (even their carers) of stealing things, like purses, wallets and handbags.

Please do not take it personally – these people genuinely cannot find their items and start to think that someone has taken them – and since you are there more often than others – you are the likely suspect.  Reassure them and help them look for the lost items – and expect to find them in the weirdest places.  Remember, any recent events are difficult for them to retrace, so they cannot remember where they placed the items.

MOTOR SKILLS

When people start to have difficulty with simple tasks – like tying shoelaces – getting dressed – going to the toilet – making a cup of tea – then you are getting into the advanced stages of Alzheimer Dementia.

Making a cup of tea appears to be a very simple act, but when you break it down into individual steps: walk to the kitchen – getting the kettle – taking it to the sink/tap – placing the kettle underneath the tap – turning on the tap – turning off the tap when you have enough water – (what is enough water) – taking the kettle back and putting it down – plugging it into the power – turning it on – getting a cup from the cupboard – getting the teabags – getting the sugar – getting the milk – getting a teaspoon – waiting for the water to boil – filling the cup with hot water – placing the teabag into the cup – picking up the cup and bringing it to you.

These are tasks that you and I take for granted – but for a dementia patient – this is a huge lists of individual tasks.  So do not be surprised if you get a cup of hot water – because the patient forgot the teabag.  If you really want to complicate it – just ask for a piece of cake or a biscuit.

TOTAL CAREPeople in the park

In severe cases of Alzheimer Dementia, the patient will have trouble walking, eating, talking, toileting and even sitting.  I have experienced several of my half brothers and sisters who lost the ability to do anything by themselves and were total care patients.  One of my sisters spend the last months of her life curled up in a fetal position.  One of my brothers did not recognize me – I was just this pleasant visitor who occasionally came to visit him with his wife.

When they have reached this stage – they require total care which is often impossible in the home. The best solution is often a place in a nursing home or something similar where trained nurses can take care of them.  Since they have difficulty walking, they are at high risk of falling and suffering breakages.  Consequently they become less mobile and may pick up other illnesses as a result.

So total support around the clock is needed for these dementia patients.  When this phase has been reached life expectancy is really determined by the quality of the care provided.  So it is wise to check out care givers and nursing homes before you send your loved one there.

In the coming weeks I will focus on how to cope with Alzheimer patients – here is a link to a short introduction.

 

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What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s? (1)

Posted on April 5, 2014 by John V

This is a really great question.  Alzheimer Dementia usually does not show any symptoms until a person is well in her/his 70’s or 80’s.  Sure – there are cases of early onset dementia – but they are less common.

FORGETFULNESSDementia

So when an elderly person does become a little forgetful – it is easy to become concerned about the person – thinking that he or she is starting to suffer from dementia.  However, sometimes forgetfulness in old age is exactly that – nothing more.

It usually starts with not remembering where the keys are, or going to the shops without a list and only bringing back half the things you need, or forgetting an appointment.   If that is all it is – there is no need for concern.

But when this forgetfulness becomes regular, then you need to be concerned.  My mother-in-law started asking me if I take sugar in my coffee (I don’t and she always knew that).  So now she does not ask but simply puts a spoon of sugar in my coffee.  When my wife comes along as well she neatly places the sugar pot on the table – so that she does not have to ask and show that she forgets all the time.

When people constantly forget their passwords, phone numbers, what day of the week it is, then it is time to start testing.

CONFUSION

Following the forgetfulness phase – I find that people start to show different levels of confusion.  They now regularly forget what day of the week it is, cannot remember if they took their medication in the morning, cannot answer some simple questions – then the confusion level has set in.

At the same time, many elderly people start to recognize that they are becoming a little forgetful – but often laugh it of and suggest that this is just a part of becoming a little older.  Laugh along with them – it is best to reassure them.  I remember visiting my mother every week, who would often sort of recognize me.  Most of the time I was her son from Australia, but often I was her brother or even her pastor and that is also how she would introduce me to anyone else in the room.

A friend of ours bought their mother a “complete large display clock”, one that tells the time, the day of the week, the date and year and so on.  She loves it – and that is a great example of minimizing the confusion.

During this phase lots of people need extra support.  They often get taken advantage of by dishonest people.  My mother would go to the florist to buy a bunch of flowers.  While she was chatting with the sales person, he would let her pay 3 or 4 times for that same bunch of flowers and she was non the wiser.  This happens all too often.

My brother-in-law tested my mother on this issue.  He suspected that this was happening based on her spending habits.  So one day he went to buy a take-away lunch that she was paying for.  He took the money, bought the lunch, came home and they ate.  Five minutes later she said – “oh I better pay you for the lunch”.  This happened 4 times in 20 minutes.  Fortunately he gave her the money back – but many others don’t.

The sad part is that now quite a lot of brain cells have already died off and the disease will progress.

SECLUSION

By now, many elderly people recognize themselves that something is wrong.  They know they are forgetful and quite a few do not want others to know that they have this condition.  So they accept fewer invitations to events or dinner parties etc.  They tend to become a little reclusive and only attend events where they are less likely to be “found out”.

I witnessed this both with my mother and now with my mother-in-law.  They much prefer to mind their own business in their own little apartment.  In the early stages my mother loved to go out and see things but progressively this declined and the same in happening now with my mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law is happy to come to church – but  does not come to our place for lunch or dinner as often as before.

AGGRESSION

As the disease progresses you will see mood changes developing.  Many people become aggressive in their tone of voice and often towards their loved ones or primary care givers.  Please recognize this is not because of you or anything you have done.  This is often a case of frustration being expressed.

Patients do become frustrated that they are confused so often.  They do not know why this is happening.  They probably look for a reason.  So when you ask a very innocent question, like “How are you today?” they may interpret that totally different.  They may think that you are testing their ability or their memory and that is threatening to them.

That is why you may get a snappy answer or often an unfriendly reaction.  My sister was the primary care giver to my mother and she was often verbally abused by my mother.  I often found that indirect questions are less threatening or simple discussion about the weather are a better way to start a conversation.

More to come in my next post.

I welcome any experiences that you want to share.

Posted in Symptoms | Leave a comment |

Alzheimer Prevention

Posted on April 1, 2014 by John V

Alzheimer’s Disease is a terrible disease affecting more people every year.  It is a debilitating disease which usually starts with mild symptoms, such as forgetfulness, then memory loss, and progressively starts to affect your your daily activities.  Some people lose their ability do complete even the most basic functions.

It is a disease of the brain, where brain cells die off due to lack of oxygen and nutrition getting to these cells.  As more brain cells die off – more functionality is lost.  There are no known cures.Alzheimer Puzzle

Fortunately there is a lot of research being carried out around the world.  Some medication is now available that will delay the onset of symptoms. Many universities around the world are involved in this research.

Because there is a lot of Alzheimer’s in my family, I did participate in a study at the Free University of Amsterdam.  They are studying the genetic structure in the DNA and have identified a mutation in some of the genes that will almost certainly lead to Alzheimer’s later in life.

There are so many pieces in this complex puzzle – with so many different sources – that I have started the development of this website – that will bring together all relevant information in one place- saving people interested in this topic hours of research.  The primary focus will be on prevention – so that you can delay or even prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s.

We will continue to update the site on a regular basis and add preventative measures as well as recommendations.  This blog is a major part of the regular updates.  Please make a short cut to our site and visit us regularly.

Posted in Prevention, Welcome | Tags: Alzheimer Prevention | 12 Comments |

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