Prevention Strategy
Alzheimer's and Prevention
Just like heart disease and diabetes, “primary prevention” is as important as early detection in the field of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD).
ADRD is a term used to represent a group of diseases that affect cognitive function, and includes progressive neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease, and frontal lobe dementia. ADRD also includes non-progressive or static disorders such as major depression and metabolic disorders, which ultimately affect cognitive function.
With a rapidly aging population, maintaining cognitive and physical vitality is the key to reducing personal and economic burdens on our society.
Although more comprehensive research is needed, current clinical and epidemiologic studies provide solid evidence about the relationship between risks for developing ADRD and factors that increase or decrease those risks. Incorporating such knowledge into your daily life will help you maintain your cognitive and physical vitality as you age.
Know Your Risk Factors
The first step in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) is to know your risk factors. Having certain ADRD risk factors does not mean that you will develop any particular disease, but does mean that you have a higher probability of doing so.
For Alzheimer’s disease (AD), age is by far the greatest risk factor. Most individuals with the disease are 65 or older, and the likelihood of developing AD doubles about every 5 years after age 65. After age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 %. Another important risk factor for AD is family history. Research has shown higher risk among those with the first-degree relatives with AD. The risk increases if more than one family member has AD.
Despite the fact that certain risk factors such as age, genetic dispositions, and family history cannot be changed, there are many risk factors that you can identify and manage by choosing a healthy life style and by using appropriate risk-reducing treatments.
These risk factors include but are not limited to:
- Stroke increases an individual’s risk of developing vascular dementia by 6-10 times. So maintaining good cardiovascular health and proper blood flow to the brain is important.
- Diabetes increases the risk for stroke, heart disease and hypertension, all conditions that increase the risk of vascular dementia. Additionally, diabetes also impairs cognitive function in those with AD.
- Heart diseases including heart valve diseases, coronary artery disease and atrial fibrillation reduce blood flow to the brain. Poorly controlled heart diseases lead to large or small strokes anywhere in the brain.
- High cholesterol increases the production of beta amyloid, one of the hallmarks of AD, and doubles the risk of the disease.
- High blood pressure is a major risk for vascular dementia.
- Head injury especially with loss of consciousness in individuals with a genetic disposition to AD increases the risk of the disease ten fold. Also, head injury with or without loss of consciousness increases the risk for seizure, which can begin up to several years after the injury. Seizure is a risk factor for cognitive impairment or dementia if it is not controlled well.
Additional risks include:
- Severe estrogen deficiency
- Severe testosterone deficiency
- Certain cancer treatments
- Alcohol or chemical abuse
- Regular tobacco use now or in the past
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of mental and physical exercise
Manage Your Risk Factors
Many known risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) are extensively studied conditions that can be successfully managed. These risk factors can be mitigated by certain life style modifications and by appropriate medical treatment.
It is also important to work with your physician to establish a baseline of your overall health and to monitor it regularly. This includes an annual health exam, recommended screenings such as mammography and pap-smears for women of a certain age, and assessments for memory and other cognitive functions.
Prevent Stroke
Stroke increases an individual’s risk of developing vascular dementia by 6-10 times. By controlling existing heart diseases and optimizing cardiovascular health, stroke is a preventable disease.
Manage Diabetes
Diabetes increases the risk for stroke, heart disease and hypertension, all conditions that increase the risk of vascular dementia. Treatment for diabetes is well established, and controlling it effectively can prevent cognitive impairment.
Manage High Cholesterol
High cholesterol increases the production of beta amyloid, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, and doubles the risk of developing the disease. The American Heart Association recommends that total cholesterol should be maintained below 200 mg/dL with LDL cholesterol under 100 mg/dL.