Alzheimer’s and the Brain
Alzheimer’s disease is a horrible condition that we all worry about as we get older, but scary as it is chances are you will not get it.
It was once thought that the brain was not changeable but now we know better. The brain begins to gradually shrink in early adulthood and by age 60 it loses from 1/2 to 1 percent of volume each year. It gets harder to remember telephones numbers or grocery items you wanted to pick up. Even so, less than 18% of elderly people 85 and older live in nursing homes.
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Gene Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health and Humanities at George Washington University says, “We are looking at the concept of potential, and how older people continue to thrive and grow even in the face of most serious illness,” Exercise is the most productive way to stall or prevent Alzheimer’s. In studies of mice who exercised on treadmills, the increased blood flow to the brain corresponded to an increase in the production of new cells.
Word games and puzzles, communicating with friends, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially dark colored vegetables like spinach, beets, carrots, and fruits like berries, oranges, grapes, plus salmon and trout are recommended.
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The computer has been just what the doctor ordered for many elderly home bound people. They can keep in contact with friends and family using e-mail. Many have Myspace as an enjoyable hobby and a way to make new friends.
To sum it all up; Eat less and move more, When you exercise, you change the chemical makeup of your blood for 8 to 12 hours. Exercise can increase your brain size by 3%. Sessions of learning word and number patterns and filling in the next sequence can help your reasoning power.
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As scary as it may be, chances are you will never have Alzheimer Disease. We are learning ways to prevent it and new treatments are on the horizon.
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Luffy12 | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Good information on Alzheimer’s and the Brain
Eunice Tan | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for this knowledge. I will remember: salmon and dark colored vegetables.
Evelyn Moore | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Scares me to death all of this – thanks for the information.
Elizabeth Abbott | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Checking with our physician also is important with our activites of daily living. Your article is enriching.
CHAN LEE PENG | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
You’re right! Eat less and move more. And I’d like to add more here, “do maths every day to sharpen your mind”, and the other alternatives are “get yourself connected to the world” and “write and read” to stimulate your brain from being aging faster.”
Yovita Siswati | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Ruby! It does alert me of the disease and how important to eat healthy food.
Christine Ramsay | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
A very good and informative article. It is so important to keep our brains active, as we all do writing for Triond.
Christine
Kate Smedley | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article, I’ve seen what it does to people in the home my gran is in, it’s frightening.
Daisy Peasblossom | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Good article! My ambition is to become eccentric, not addled. (Well, ok, my kids think I’m addled now, but that’s nothing new.)
Betty Carew | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article on a very serious subject Ruby. Hubby’s sister in law has been in home with this for 3 years and now were waiting for a call on hubby’s brother who is dying with cancer. Very sad situation. thanks for this article and the hope it brings
Joe Dorish | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the great info Ruby.
nobert soloria bermosa | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
informative and helpful
DA Cournean | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
It is a very scary thought. I can only imagine how my children would feel if I didn’t even recognize them.
Very good points you make here. I have hope!
B Nelson | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article, my school time friends mom was diagnosed with this.. its frightening.
Mark Gordon Brown | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Interesting that you had a photo of Reagan, he actually had alzeimers while in office. He was told (by the Christain right) to be against Stem Cell research which could have actually benefited him.
Darla Smith | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
A very interesting article with very helpful info. Thanks for sharing.
Allana Calhoun | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Very good info.
Moses Ingram | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for this information. I’ll be seventy this year so I like to hear good news about this sort of thing. So far, I’m doing fine and spend a lot of time on the Internet. I also walk a fair bit but I’m bookmarking this page anyway.
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for writing such an informative piece, Ruby! I have been worrying about my mom who is 76 and has been inactive for the past two or so years. She is well and in good health but can’t seem to find an interest outside of the home. I have been trying to talk her into owning a computer. I think I will use your article as an aid.
Great info!
Shannon Lynn Farlouis | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Very well written and informative.
Josey | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Great info!
Ruby Hawk | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Thank you everyone. This is the most dreaded disease of all. I have been well aquainted with two ladies who had it. It’s devasting to the whole family. When you consider the whole population though it means most of us will escape it.
Darlene, I agree a computer would be great for your mother. But maybe she is like one of my sisters. She says she doesn’t have time for a computer. She has too much to do at home.
Moses you will do Ok, I can tell you keep an active mind.
Mark, the reason I choose Reagans picture was because he did have Alzheimers.
Chan, your suggestion is perfect. I just wish I had a head for math. I’m not good at math.
rutherfranc | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
your articles are all daily-life friendly.. it sounds scientific at first but you are always able to relate it in layman`s terms.. thanks for a talent like you.
Fresh Writing | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease of massive effect and consequences…thank you for addressing this.
I too know a few people w/h it, and have seen how deeply it has affected their lives and their families’. Like Aids, and all the other dangerous killer diseases, we will hopefully find a cure.
-Fresh Writing
Debra. | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article on Alzheimer’s! Well done, Ruby!
Resounding Glass | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
Great article. I have also known people with Alzheimer’s and have seen the impact of it. It is very sad as they are never again completely who they used to be. I’m glad we are progressing and hope we will soon find an effective cure for Alzheimer’s.
Thanks Ruby,
-Resounding Glass
S A JOHNSON | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
When I was in high school one of my teachers mother had it. It was really bad for her. A few times she cried in class. Eventually she was put on leave. It makes me sad thinking about that and I can’t help but think I would be the same, if it was my mom.
NA Staffieri | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
Exercizing the brain is just as important as exercizing the body. Great article.
CutestPrincess | Apr 10, 2009 | Reply
very important reminder… thanks for this!
PR Mace | Apr 10, 2009 | Reply
Great information, Ruby. It is a sad, sad disease.