Alzheimer’s Day is celebrated on September 21, a degenerative disease that affects 800,000 people in Spain. Due to the increase in life expectancy and the aging of the population, it is expected that within ten years more than 1.5 million people will suffer from this dementia. According to the Spanish Confederation of Relatives of Patients with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias (CEAFA), our country ranks second among the European countries with the most patients suffering from this pathology, only behind Sweden.
- The causes of this degenerative dementia are still unknown and fundamentally affect memory and motor skills, to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the phase in which the patient is. In a final or terminal stage, the patient is unable to fend for himself to carry out daily activities, he totally loses memory and spatial-temporal orientation, almost completely lacks his capacity for social relations and therefore needs constant and permanent external aid.
- Alzheimer’s affects a greater percentage of women, due to their greater life expectancy. Currently, there is no definitive treatment to cure this disease, but there are some measures that can prevent Alzheimer’s.
How to prevent Alzheimer’s?
- Food. Eating a balanced diet low in fat and frequently eating polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as oily fish, corn, soybeans, sunflower oil or nuts, improve brain function. Foods rich in vitamins E and B (meats, yeast, legumes or green leafy vegetables) are also important for the prevention of cognitive decline, memory problems and loss of mental capacity.
- Physical activity. Performing physical exercise daily is favorable for both the body and the mind. Walking at least half an hour a day will help reduce stress, arterial hypertension and obesity. Staying physically active is one of the most effective medicines, at the same time that endorphins are released, the hormone that causes the feeling of pleasure and well-being.
- Mental exercise. The goal is to keep the brain active and stimulated to avoid memory loss, slow processes or blockages. Doing crossword puzzles, Sudoku, cooking, reading, drawing, watching documentaries or movies are some simple exercises that help to exercise the mind and keep it in action.
- Change of habits. It is obvious that tobacco it is not favorable for health, and therefore to prevent Alzheimer’s it is important to quit smoking, since according to certain studies there is a direct relationship between this dementia and the components of tobacco. Likewise, it is also advisable to avoid isolation, it is essential to maintain contact with family, friends or other groups of people who favor distraction and entertainment.