Imagine sitting by the side of a loved one who cared for you all your life, the person whom you look up to for advice, the same person whom you shared your tears and joy with.
However, this person, your loved one, now looks straight into your eyes as you talk to her in the hopes that she reacts in excitement as she usually would but she does not have a clue about who you are.
That is the hard truth behind Alzheimer’s Disease. Often termed as ‘the long goodbye’, Alzheimer’s Disease is a general term for symptoms of memory loss which slowly develops and gets worse as time goes by.
Alzheimer’s Disease can cause problems not only with memory but also in decision making, thinking and behaviour. Here are some other facts about dementia:
- Alzheimer’s Disease is not part of ageing but its risk does increase with age.
- While there is no cure, there’s a possibility that medication can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Women have a higher risk of Alzheimer’s Disease compared to men.
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, poor diet and an inactive lifestyle are risk factors of Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Keeping your brain active by constantly learning reduces your risk of this disease. Some suggestions include learning a new instrument or language.
- This disease was only discovered in the last century, in 1906 to be exact, by a German doctor named Alois Alzheimer.
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