Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors: Your Guide to Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease by Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP


Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors: Your Guide to Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is something health-care providers talk a lot about with older patients. Not only is it prevalent, but the incidence is growing, and nearly 5.8 million Americans are now living with the disease. The lack of both a definitive cause and a cure makes people feel especially uneasy. Unsurprisingly, Americans worry about losing their mental capabilities, which explains why Alzheimer’s follows only cancer on the list of most feared conditions.

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and eventually sabotages one’s ability to perform even the most basic tasks. The number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is expected to jump to 14 million by 2060. An aging population is associated with the spike, but living longer may not result in contracting ADRD. While there is still a lot we don’t know about ADRD, there’s a lot we DO know, and this is where to focus your attention.

Dementia risk boils down to a combination of genetics, family history, age, gender and lifestyle factors. Here are six facts to help you understand Alzheimer’s disease and encourage important lifestyle changes to reduce your risk:

  1. Alzheimer’s is not strictly a disease of the elderly, but early onset is rare.
  2. Alzheimer’s is gender biased. Women make up two-thirds of the Alzheimer’s population.
  3. Disease progression is typically slow. It can be 15 years before latent symptoms emerge, and lifestyle changes can slow Alzheimer’s progression.
  4. There’s a heart connection. The same conditions that increase risk for cardiovascular disease, like diabetes and high blood pressure, also raise your Alzheimer’s risk.
  5. Middle age lifestyle habits matter. Exercise is the ideal lifestyle tweak to make because it boosts blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Eating well and getting enough sleep also play important roles.
  6. Staying connected to others helps. Staying mentally active and making strong social connections lower the risk of cognitive decline. In addition to ADRD benefits, both help slow the aging process.

If you’re worried about Alzheimer’s disease, talk to a health-care provider, like your nurse practitioner, about your risk and things you can do today to keep your brain sharp as you age. Everyone forgets names and misplaces keys, but a change in your mental function is not something to ignore in hopes that it will go away with more sleep or less stress. An early diagnosis can allow time for treatment to slow the progression of the disease, but the window of opportunity is small, so don’t wait.

Note: 30Seconds is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links. The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get inspiration in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.

Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like:

30Second Mobile, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Alzheimer's Disease Facts: 5 Ways You May Reduce Your Alzheimer's Disease Risk

​Uncovering Alzheimer’s Disease: Researchers Examine the Impact of Menopause on Cognitive Function & Alzheimer's Development in Women

Signs of Alzheimer's: 7 Signs Your Forgetfulness Is Really an Early Symptom of Alzheimer’s Disease

Sedentary Lifestyles: 5 Ways to Help a Loved One Live a More Active & Healthy Life

Cassiday
Didn’t know all this. Very helpful. 🙏🏼
bepositive
OMG this is a big fear of mine. Runs in the family!
Elisa Schmitz
This terrible disease has affected many people I know and love. Many thanks for shining a light on it and what we can do to make a difference, Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP !

join discussion

Please login to comment.

recommended tips

Gluten-free Diets: 3 Things You Need to Know Before Going Gluten-Free

Food Allergies & Coronavirus: A Registered Dietitian's Guide to Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Skip the Potato Chips: How to Prep So You Grab Healthier Snacks!

The Health Benefits of Cinnamon: Why You Need to Sprinkle This Spice on Everything