AstridGuide – Dementia & Alzheimer Guide

Dementia & Alzheimer’s

The most common type of Dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. It happens when brain neurons gradually die which eventually results in a progressive relapse of one’s mental ability. It is very unfortunate that there is no sure fire way to cure this deadly disease.

But drug and non-drug treatments can help to reduce the degree of this disease. Researchers are constantly trying to find new treatments to help patients of Alzheimer’s disease. Basically, there are five theories regarding this disease that require further investigation:.

1. Chemical Theory

Human brain cells communicate with one another through chemicals; this way, communication is called neurotransmitters. In Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells have reduced uncovered levels of several neurotransmitters which affect human brain activities and intellectual functions. Besides, the excessive deposits of aluminum toxins have also been found in an Alzheimer patient’s brain.

2. Genetic Theory

Genetic factors also play a major role in Alzheimer’s disease. It was found that a mutation on chromosome 14 is responsible for 10% of Alzheimer’s disease at the initial stage. Mutation on chromosome 1, chromosome 21 and chromosome 12 are responsible for later stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

3. Blood Vessel Theory

Some defects and patches in blood vessels supplying blood to neurons can also cause Alzheimer’s disease.

4. Slow Virus Theory

A special type of slow acting virus is also found in an Alzheimer’s brain and which is definitely an important cause of this disease. This results in the production of antibodies of one’s own essential cells.

5. Autoimmune Theory

In this disease, the immune system of the human body fails and starts to work reversibly. Actually, the immune system of a human body may start attacking its own cells and tissues.

Though there is no clear-cut way to cure this disease, some precautions should be taken to avoid this disease. Regular exercise, maintaining normal body weight, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol at normal levels, eating a rich diet with vitamin C, E, antioxidants, as well as eating fish with healthy oil will help minimize the risks.

Taking drugs can also slow the loss of mental blocking of the patient. But drugs should be taken from the initial stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Some memory increasing tips and techniques can be of some help in early stages. But if the patient is at the advanced stage of this disease, there is hardly any remedy. So, it is always advised to take all the required precautions from the initial stage.

It is shown by the researchers that Alzheimer’s disease commonly develops in the latter part of life. Hence, it is always important to start leading a healthy life style after the age of 40. It is also known that genetic factors are also responsible for developing Alzheimer’s disease. So, people with family history of this disease should be more cautious and take preventive measures from early ages.