The Time Thief
We all forget things sometimes — a word we want to use, an actor’s name or where we set our keys down. However, there is a difference between a bout of forgetfulness and the onset of something more serious.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans have the disease, but they expect numbers to rise to as many as 13 million by 2050. While everyone is unique, some early indicators of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are increased anxiety and/or aggression, misplacing things in odd places, memory loss, poor judgment, repeating questions, taking longer to complete daily tasks and wandering or getting lost. As AD progresses, more serious symptoms can arise, such as having trouble learning new information, difficulty organizing thoughts, problems recognizing family and friends, impulsive or inappropriate behavior, trouble carrying out tasks and understanding language and numbers.
The biggest risk factor for AD is age. The likelihood of developing AD doubles every 5 years after your 65th birthday. Your genetics and a family health history of AD also could put you at risk for developing it. While those factors are beyond our control, there are other steps we can take to stave off AD.
Protect Your Head
One approach to fighting off AD you might not have heard before is protecting your head—and that doesn’t mean by reading or doing crossword puzzles. According to a study published in the March 2021 edition of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, head injuries are long-lasting and could lead to increased dementia risk—especially if you’ve sustained more than one head injury or are a woman. More than 23 million adults 40 and older have sustained a head injury that caused them to lose consciousness. Avoid being one of those people by wearing your seatbelt and other safety equipment when driving a car, riding a bicycle or participating in sports.
Stay Active
That’s not to say that keeping your brain active isn’t a good idea, too. Many claim crossword puzzles, Sudoku, playing an instrument, reading and other mental activities help keep your brain strong—especially if you have someone you can do those activities with. While some researchers still debate the benefits of these activities, there are no risks to staying social and mentally active. Relationships help us live longer, lower our risk for heart disease, and boost our immunities. In addition, several studies have noted a two-and-a-half year delay in memory decline among puzzlers versus non-puzzlers. However, your daily Wordle isn’t enough.
The brain is just one piece of the intricate puzzle that is your body. To keep your mind sharp, the rest of you needs to be healthy, too. Staving off Alzheimer’s and dementia also requires you to quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, get plenty of sleep and eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits and omega-3-rich proteins like fatty fish.
Your memories belong to you, so take control over keeping those moments as long as you can.
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Not sure what your Alzheimer’s risks are? Make an appointment with your doctor to talk about what steps to take to fight off AD.
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