In this article, we consider the prevention of Alzheimer's disease in women.
Old age is an inevitable phenomenon for every person. Age-related changes affect hearing, vision, are marked by the transition of some diseases to a chronic form, as well as a violation of mental processes. Treatment of such transformations at this stage of the development of medicine is impossible, however, there is prevention of Alzheimer's disease in middle-aged women.
To avoid senile dementia, which is Alzheimer's syndrome, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms of its development and the causes of its appearance. Prevention of this pathology is vital for every person.
Description of the disease
Alzheimer's disease occurs due to irreversible age-related changes in the brain. The pathological process is progressive in nature and affects thinking, speech functions, and also marks the loss of intellectual and social skills. A lot of age-related diseases lead to dementia and dementia. About 60% of people with mental disorders also receive this disease in addition. According to 2015 data, about 30 million people were affected by Alzheimer's disease, of which only 7% were able to live more than seven years, and about 3% crossed the 15-year survival threshold.
Difficulties in the diagnosis of pathology are due to the fact that the process develops gradually, over a long time, often manifesting symptoms are attributed to age.
Before talking about the prevention of Alzheimer's disease in old age, consider the main causes of the disease.
Causes
Modern pharmacology is not able to offer drugs that can cure Alzheimer's syndrome. At the moment, you can find drugs that can affect the patient's psychomimetic. This is most relevant for the manifestation of aggressive behavior that threatens the life of the patient himself and those around him. Since there is no treatment, it is important to understand the need for prevention in order to reduce the likelihood of pathology.
Risk factors
Scientists have found that the following pathological conditions and diseases are risk factors for the development of Alzheimer's syndrome:
- The presence of neoplasms in the brain.
- Stressful and depressive states of a chronic nature.
- Head injuries.
- Diabetes.
- Hypotheriosis.
- Menopause.
Bad habits
In addition, such bad habits as smoking, alcohol abuse can weaken the mental function of a person. An important role is played by the presence of a hereditary factor, the absence of social contacts and excessive activity.
The peak incidence occurs in patients aged 50-55 years. There are several stages of the development of pathology: initial, focal and terminal.
Next, consider the symptoms, prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
Manifestations of the disease
Diagnosis of Alzheimer's syndrome is difficult due to the identity of its manifestations with other mental disorders. It is very important to pay attention to any manifestations of senile changes that may prove to be harbingers of the pathological process.
There are several signs that require special attention:
- Impaired memory function.
This is the main, most disturbing sign of age-related dementia. Patients are asked to repeat the same phrase, sentence several times, since they are not able to perceive the information immediately. For patients, it is necessary to use written reminders. Accidental forgetfulness is also a sign of illness, when a person is not able to remember where he put the keys or phone. Prevention of the symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's is important.
It shows indifference to even the most favorite hobbies, loss of interest in communicating with loved ones, friends and acquaintances. Against the background of dementia, a person stops watching programs that are interesting to him in the past, rooting for his beloved team, stops communicating with his grandchildren. However, do not confuse dementia with the elementary, natural desire of a person to relax from everything and be alone with himself.
Perhaps every person has ever experienced disorientation. For example, immediately after a deep and prolonged sleep it can be difficult to immediately remember the time, date and location. For patients with Alzheimer's, this condition is common. They cannot navigate in their own house, are able to get lost on the street, forgetting where their house is.
- Loss of connection with real life.
Patients may not recognize loved ones, lose their ability to interpret images, determine the depth of the subject. They cannot read books, walk up stairs, take a bath, etc.
- Dramatic changes in personality and mood.
Patients can perceive trifles with aggression, demonstrating absolute indifference to serious things. They are characterized by sharp mood swings.
- Violation of the oral and written communication options.
Patients with dementia forget the names of even household items such as a TV, stove, chair, etc.
- Violation of planning skill.
The result of this symptom is that a person is not able to organize his own time and finances, does not pay bills on time, is late, loses the initial skills of the profession, etc.
In this case, patients cannot find objects in their usual places, finding, for example, slippers in the refrigerator or keys in the stove.
- Violation of causal relationships.
A patient with Alzheimer's disease easily trusts scammers, stops monitoring his appearance and hygiene, does not dress according to season and weather, and also starts spending money not meaningless items.
If an elderly person detects one or more of the listed symptoms, it is necessary to consult a doctor, starting with a neurologist.
Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease in Women
The main way to protect your brain from dementia is to take preventative measures in time. This means making every effort to keep the neural connections intact for as long as possible. The main measures to prevent dementia are:
- Avoidance of head injury.
- Protecting the body from the effects of radiation, as well as toxic chemicals.
- Timely treatment of endocrine diseases.
- Prevention of stressful and depressive states, as well as nervous overstrain.
- Positive thinking.
- A regular visit to a specialist for timely diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.
- Quitting bad habits like smoking, drinking alcohol and drugs.
- Maintaining contacts with society.
- Search for a fascinating hobby.
- Compliance with a diet that includes eating healthy, nutritious and balanced foods.
- Moderate sports, including gymnastics, yoga, Pilates and other breathing practices.
- Training the mind, memorizing verses, solving crosswords and puzzles, puzzles, etc.
- The development of psychomotor skills - embroidery, knitting, playing musical instruments.
With a hereditary predisposition
The prevention of Alzheimer's disease is extremely important for middle-aged women who have a hereditary predisposition. Thus, we can conclude that the best prophylaxis is an active lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle, which requires proper nutrition, drinking, exercise and various breathing practices, etc. Positive outlooks on life and a positive attitude are equally important.
What other prevention of Alzheimer's disease in women is carried out?
Proper nutrition
Human diet is an important component of measures taken to prevent Alzheimer's syndrome. To prevent dementia, special attention should be paid to human nutrition. To prevent the destruction of neural connections in the brain, it is necessary to enrich the diet with omega acids.
Another important point is controlling the level of sugar in the blood. This is due to the fact that an excess of carbohydrates contributes to the death of brain cells.
Diet foods
The diet of a person who wants to prevent the development of Alzheimer's pathology should consist of the following products:
- Antioxidants including garlic, onions, herbs, bell peppers.
- Omega acids found in fish and fish oil, nuts.
- Carotenes found in pumpkin, carrots, apricots, gourds.
- Poultry meat, veal, rabbit meat.
- Skim milk products.
An important point of nutrition is the maximum exclusion of fatty, sugary, spicy foods, alcohol, etc. Ideally, these products should be discarded completely.
Drug support
Drugs for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease in women improve cerebral circulation.
Now there are drugs that reduce the activity of glutamate, which adversely affects brain cells (they include “Memantine”). They are often prescribed to people at the first symptoms of pathology or to those at risk.
To reduce the risk of developing the disease, you should arrange memory training. You can also use medications that increase concentration:
"Glycine".
Piracetam.
Vitrum Memories.
"Tanakan."
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease in women with folk remedies
For the prevention of this disease is used:
Blackcurrant tea. It should be drunk 2 times a day.
Infusion of sapwood lapacho. It will take boiling water (1 liter) and 2 teaspoons of the product. Insist for 15-20 minutes. You need to drink daily.
Malpigia - should be consumed two or three berries every day.
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease folk remedies can be very effective.
The specifics of pathology in women
The ovaries of a woman throughout the reproductive age produce a hormone called estrogen. During menopause, hormone synthesis stops, which can trigger the development of dementia. If the pathology is already diagnosed, then hormone replacement therapy will not have the desired effect. In addition, incorrect hormone therapy can aggravate the situation, causing a sharp progression of the disease.
The only way to prevent this situation is to prevent Alzheimer's disease in women from youth. To do this, it is important to follow the recommendations described above. They are relevant for men.
Every year, the number of people aged 50-55 years who are diagnosed with senile dementia is growing. This is due to the modern overly dynamic rhythm of life, information overload, abuse of smoking and taking drugs. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to your lifestyle, starting from youth.