Those affected by dementias are increasing year after year, due to the increase in life expectancy and the consequent aging of the population. So much so that, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics, Alzheimer’s cases have doubled in the last decade.
Alzheimer’s, the most common dementia
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 70% of dementia cases, and usually affects elderly people over 60 years of age. Moreover, according to the Spanish Society of Neurology, between 30% and 40% of Alzheimer’s sufferers may be undiagnosed.
As described by Dr. Lecanda Garamendi, expert neurologist and member of Top Doctors, dementia is already the third most common health problem in developed countries, after cardiovascular diseases and cancer, due to its increasing prevalence.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized in the patient by memory loss, as well as difficulty in communication and language, sudden changes in mood and character, disorientation in time and space and even visual problems and problems in understanding reality. This symptomatology affects the quality of life not only of the patients, but also of the family members who act as caregivers.
Geriatric expert Dr. Cruz Jentfot, a member of Top Doctors, indicates that occasional forgetfulness is normal in the elderly, but that we should be concerned if the frequency of this forgetfulness increases with the passage of time, as well as if the family member fails to express him/herself or is disoriented in space. It is usually a sign of concern if such forgetfulness hinders the ability to do everyday tasks well, such as cooking, driving or working. Also, Dr. Cruz recommends seeing a specialist if the patient shows sudden mood changes and even errors in reasoning.
How to prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Currently, part of the lines of research into Alzheimer’s disease are based on knowing its origin in order to stop or prevent it, since its cause is still an enigma. Even so, the neurologist Dr. Carnero Pardo, a member of Top Doctors, provides a series of simple tips to prevent Alzheimer’s disease, according to the risk factors known to date.
Dr. Carnero recommends preventing and adequately treating obesity, smoking, traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular problems, cholesterol, high blood pressure and deficiency of B vitamins. As regards nutrition, Dr. Carnero recommends a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, together with continued physical and mental activity. This mental activity is very important in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease: keeping the mind active through cognitive stimulation.