What should we do in the face of Alzheimer's disease?

Facing Alzheimer's disease, what should we do? Do you remember the movie "Forget Me Not Restaurant" starring Huang Bo, and the dozen or so Alzheimer's patients? Do you understand why the elderly forget, make mistakes, or even get lost?

They were once young people full of vigor and vitality. As China's aging population accelerates, they have been marginalized, like a child who has made a mistake, at a loss. Have we ever thought that one day we will also suffer from dementia, lose our way, forget the time, and even forget our family?

But when Alzheimer's disease appears in reality from the screen, even among our loved ones, how should we adapt?

Dementia is a common disease and the leading cause of disability and death among the elderly, 60-80% of which are caused by Alzheimer's disease.

What are the early signs of Alzheimer's?

1. Memory loss, especially for recent or immediate events, and inability to remember where you live, or even getting lost, and still not being able to remember despite repeated reminders;

2. Poor language and reduced vocabulary;

3. Be more verbose, repeating the same thing or the same thing that happened a long time ago;

4. Personality changes, which are in sharp contrast to the previous personality;

5. Decreased self-care ability, or even unexplained falls.

Our ancestors told us that the best medicine is to prevent illness before it occurs, which is the primary prevention now. Let’s start with the following:

1. Hypertension: Hypertension is an independent risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Long-term hypertension can double the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. So don't ignore hypertension just because it has no symptoms, and don't stop taking antihypertensive drugs casually.

2. Diabetes: Diabetes is also a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. If you have diabetes in middle age and do not control it, the risk of cognitive impairment 20 years later will increase by 19%. It is very important to actively go for physical examinations and early detection of diabetes. Even prediabetes can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

3. Hyperlipidemia: Hyperlipidemia is an independent risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, especially high total cholesterol (≧6.5), which can increase the risk by 2.8 times. An active, healthy and light diet is very important. If blood lipids are too high, active intervention through exercise and medication is required.

4. Smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease by 56%. The free radicals produced by smoking can damage brain nerves.

5. Drinking: Excessive drinking, especially heavy drinking in middle age, can multiply the risk of dementia in old age. Have you quit drinking?

6. Stroke: Studies have shown that patients with a history of stroke have twice the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease as those without a relevant history. It also reminds us of the importance of dynamic electrocardiograms, which can screen for many asymptomatic hidden atrial fibrillation, provide early intervention, and reduce the occurrence of ischemic stroke.

7. Insomnia: Insomnia is also a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The two can promote each other, especially people with sleep disorders can have Alzheimer's disease appear earlier. It is very important to actively go to a regular hospital, find out the cause of insomnia, and give a combination of Chinese and Western medicine treatment.

8. Homocysteine: Studies have shown that homocysteine ​​can act as a neurotoxin, promote neurodegeneration, and induce dementia, so active physical examinations and early treatment are crucial.

In addition to controlling the above high-risk factors, a healthy diet can also reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease.

1. Reduce the intake of trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids: Trans fatty acids are mainly found in cream, pastries or fried foods or foods labeled as "hydrogenated oil"; saturated fatty acids are mainly found in red meat (pork, beef and lamb), pizza, hamburgers, ice cream, milkshakes, some cookies, popcorn wrapped in icing, and some oils (palm oil, coconut oil);

2. Increase the content of vitamin E in food: It is recommended to eat a small handful of nuts or seeds a day; about half a pound of fruit a day (such as mango, papaya, pear, banana, etc.);

3. Increase the amount of foods high in folic acid: at least half a pound of vegetables (such as broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, cabbage, etc.) every day;

4. Increase the intake of foods such as vitamin B: beans (at least four meals a week), whole grains (buckwheat, oats, etc.), etc.

Alzheimer's disease is still incurable. We can only prevent it in advance. Please treat the elderly at home well. They used to be our mountains and our sky. They gave us selfless love and the best materials. Now they are old. We should also hold up a sky for them in their old age, hold their hands, grow old with them, and protect them from wind and rain...