Preventing Alzheimer's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Preventing Alzheimer's - Essay Example Alzheimer’s Disease is an acquired disorder leading to behavioral and cognitive impairments that can interfere extremely in social functioning and is the most common form of dementia striking, both, elderly and, on occasion, middle age Americans. It presently is affecting approximately 5.4 million people n this country and is estimated to effect more than twice that number by the year 2050.(Anderson, and Hoffmann) There is nothing more precious to most people than the memories of the lives they have lived, the people they have shared it with, and all the details that make us the individuals that we are. Alzheimer’s and other sever dementia disorders threaten to take all of those things away. This disease does not solely affect the sufferer, but can have a profoundly disturbing effect on the families and caregivers of the Alzheimer’s patient. It can be unbelievably difficult for family members of sufferers to watch someone they care about degrade from the strong i ntuitive people they once were into someone who is a stranger, lost in their own homes and trapped in their own fading memories. Parents that no longer recognize their own children or grandparents that no longer know their own spouse of fifty years can be devastating. That is why understanding, treating, and entirely preventing the development of Alzheimer’s is absolutely imperative. This disease, not only, affects the body it steals your sense of self identity. To be clear, everyone shows a certain amount of decline in memory and cognitive ability as they age. This is a completely natural occurrence. However, there are individuals well into their 80’s that seem barely affected, while others can suffer far greater memory and cognitive loss at a much younger age makes a definitive statement concerning the disorder. Simply put,†...Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging.†("The Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation") This condition goes well beyond the normal degradation expected to appear as we age. That said, if it is not a normal, unavoidable part of the human aging, then it must be possible to eliminate it from effecting so many within the population and there must be a cause that can be addressed. Given the seriousness of this condition and its continual persistence within society finding ways to treat and prevent the disease is paramount. Unfortunately there are no current cures available but there are many suggestions as to how to prevent developing the disease. It has been determined that certain people carry a particular genetic mutation that can lead directly to the development of Alzheimer’s, so for a portion of the population prevention may be more difficult.(Kolata ) However, what we learn from these individuals may be a huge contribution into solving its origins and finding potential treatments. For the remaining population, where the development of the disease seems unfortunately random, there are many suggestions that can lower the risks of becoming a sufferer. One can lower the likelihood of developing the disorder by taking the same steps that are taken to avoid heart disease. Studies have shown that the same factors, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, excessive weight, and diabetic issues, which can contribute to poor heart health can, also, lead to Alzheimer’s Disease.("Mayo Clinic") The Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation had suggested that there are â€Å"4 Pillars† in the holistic approach to preventing the disorder. Again, they admit there are no guarantees, but following these steps is ideally essential in reducing your risk factor. The first is to, simply, get the proper amount of rest and nutrition on a regular basis. A diet involving large amounts of fruits and vegetables, consuming fish on a weekly basis, and avoiding foods high in trans and saturated fats will help you balance the body’s health.("Time Magazine-Health" 2) The second, involves controlling stress levels. Finding proper