What exactly is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s is a neurological disorder that slowly destroys the brain’s memory and thinking skills. A person with Alzheimer’s disease eventually loses the ability to perform even the most basic duties. The disease typically starts to manifest its symptoms in a person around the middle of their 60s. Additionally, it is the most typical cause of dementia in senior citizens.
82 percent of women were unaware of their increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease
While it is of great concern that about 82 percent of women were unaware of their increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent poll by the Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement. Almost three-quarters of the women polled said they had never discussed or sought advice from their doctor concerning their brain health.
In addition, compared to their already high risk of having breast cancer in their 60s, women are roughly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s over the course of their lifetimes.
Reasons why women are at a greater risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s
There are several possible scientific and social factors that could explain why more women than males suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
- A new gene termed MGMT, or O6-Methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase, has been found by researchers at the University of Chicago and Boston University School of Medicine, and it may be the cause of the elevated risk in women.
- Apart from this, the age factor here is also responsible because according to some theories, the difference in life expectancy between men and women may be the cause of this disparity.
How can one reduce the risk?
While many risk factors, like age or genes, cannot be changed, others, like high blood pressure and inactivity, can typically be altered by adopting the proper healthy lifestyle adjustments.
- Keeping up with a regular physical exercise routine, because physical exercise can benefit your neural cells by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.
- It might be shocking but numerous studies have also demonstrated that maintaining strong social ties as we age can reduce our risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive impairment. This may be because social stimulation directly enhances the bonds between the nerve cells in the brain.
- There is also evidence that food that is good for our heart, is also good for our brain so intake of more fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk factor for Alzheimer’s.