The Alzheimer’s Association, in recognition of June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, urges people to take care of their brain health.
There are nearly seven million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. Data shows the lifetime risk for the disease at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men.
The brain changes that cause Alzheimer’s are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms start, which suggests that there may be a substantial window of time in which we can intervene in the progression of the disease. Experts believe there isn’t a single cause of Alzheimer’s and it likely develops as a result of multiple factors.
Age is believed to be the greatest known risk factor. Experts believe that other behaviors such as not smoking, education, physical activity, blood pressure and diet play a role in whether one develops the disease.
The association points out 10 health habits that may lessen the chance of one getting Alzheimer’s, including protecting your head, being smoke-free, controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes, eating right, maintaining a healthy weight, staying in school, getting moving, sleeping well and challenging your mind.
Early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementia offers the best opportunity for care, management and treatment. It also provides diagnosed individuals more time to plan for the future, participate in clinical trials and to live with a higher quality of life, for as long as possible.
To learn more, go to alz.org/abam.
