Many Americans have a personal connection to patients of Alzheimer’s, whether it’s someone in our family or social circle, or well-known personalities like Gene Wilder. But unless we’ve experienced it at very close range, we may not know all the details of this debilitating disease or how it affects a person. We’re here to provide the answers to common questions about Alzheimer’s disease.
What Causes Alzheimer’s?
Commonly known for the symptoms of memory loss, Alzheimer’s is caused by buildups of abnormal protein in the brain. This creates other devastating effects, such as loss of mobility and fine motor skills–like those required to feed themselves. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s.
What is the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?
Alzheimer’s falls under the umbrella of dementia, which in general means a decline in cognitive functions like thinking, reasoning, and remembering. Alzheimer’s makes up 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.
Why Do People Die From Alzheimer’s?
People with Alzheimer’s don’t usually die directly because of the disease. Instead, complications like infection or blood clots arise from the condition. With the loss of mobility or memory, patients may be bedridden. Then, because lying still for a long period of time increases blood clots, conditions like pulmonary edema, stroke, or heart attacks can occur. Another cause of death from Alzheimer’s complications goes back to the loss of motor skills. Alzheimer’s patients may accidentally inhale part of their food or be unable to swallow. Food and liquid then gets into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia.
How Common is the Disease?
According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. But it may be higher than anyone thinks, according to a study conducted in 2014. Death certificates usually list the complication as the cause of death, rather than Alzheimer’s itself. This may be because the conditions causing death–like pneumonia or a blood clot–are more immediate. Or, the disease may not have been diagnosed at all, so it would never end up on the death certificate.
How Can I Reduce My Risk?
Some risk factors such as age or genetics cannot be avoided. But you can lower your risk by reducing high blood pressure and improving exercise in your life. These can increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain, possibly lowering the chance that these abnormal proteins will build up. As you exercise and reduce sodium in your diet, add in brain-healthy foods like fish and whole grains.
You can also maintain social connections with friends, family, and relatives now, and stay mentally active as you age. Experts, while not quite sure why this reduces the severity or risk of Alzheimer’s, suspect that that social and mental stimulation strengthen nerve cell connections in your brain.