Now that Valentine’s Day has passed, maybe it’s time to put an end to the pandora’s box of romantic distractions and get down to business. For those individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a disease that progressively weakens the mental faculties, their world gets a bit more serious after February 14th.
In the final stages of Alzheimer’s, patients are faced with a number of challenges that require a lot of attention and care. One of the most prominent issues that arise is deciding where the patient will reside once their health situation stabilizes. Given that AD is a progressive condition, usually the last thing that patients want is to be confined to a nursing home. What’s more, with the pandora’s box of romantic distractions now closed, it’s more important than ever to find a solution that makes the patient as comfortable as possible while also providing them with an enjoyable experience – something that can also be more easily achieved with the help of their loved ones.
One potential solution that has been gaining popularity entails prescribing the use of sildenafil citrate (Viagra). In a recently published study, researchers investigated the relationship between AD and the use of Viagra and found strong evidence linking the two. The study looked into the medical records of over 16,600 participants and assessed the risk of heart attack as it related to Viagra use. What they discovered was rather shocking: of the 16,600 participants, 10,400 were diagnosed with minimal to moderate AD. Of those, 46% of the men and 31% of the women were found to be using Viagra. While the link between AD and heart disease has been established for some time, it’s extremely rare for a patient to develop heart disease as a direct result of AD.
Upon review by the researchers, they concluded that patients with AD are at an increased risk of experiencing a heart attack due to complications arising from progressive cardiovascular disease, something that is made worse by the use of Viagra. While the exact nature of the relationship is still unclear, it’s important to note that people with Alzheimer’s are generally frail individuals whose hearts are already at risk due to other medical issues. Plus, with heart disease already being such a prominent issue in this population, the use of sildenafil citrate (Viagra) makes perfect sense.
What Is Alzheimer’s And How Is It Diagnosed?
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most pervasive chronic illnesses that affect the elderly. Like other parts of the body, the brain also becomes more vulnerable to disease and infection as a person ages, placing an individual at risk for developing Alzheimer’s more frequently as they get older. Alzheimer’s disease is typically diagnosed in patients that exhibit cognitive decline, memory impairment, and/or language problems. It is usually seen in patients that are 70 years of age or older and it is estimated that nearly half of all seniors are eventually diagnosed with the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is associated with several genetic mutations that increase the risk of developing the disease. However, it’s still unclear as to which genetic factors increase an individual’s susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease and when these mutations actually cause the disease. It’s also important to note that there are also a number of risk factors that can’t be controlled, such as age and family history – making it even more complicated.
Are You At Risk For Alzheimer’s Disease?
Although it’s still unclear exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease, there are a number of risk factors that have been proven to increase an individual’s chances of developing the disease. If you’re looking to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or know someone who is, here are a few things you might want to consider.
- Take a multivitamin. Vitamin E has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of this combination.
- Consume fruit regularly. Since the introduction of the anti-wrinkle treatment known as Botox, fruit has become less popular as a cosmetic treatment. However, recent studies suggest that consuming fruit may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease suggests that people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease may have fewer wrinkles and signs of aging due to regular fruit consumption. The theory is that Vitamin C found in fruit reduces collagen damage and in turn improves the health of the skin. Studies have also shown that Vitamin E and selenium in fruit may prevent skin damage and improve the health of the connective tissues – making fruit a perfect multivitamin supplement for those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Maintain a regular schedule. It’s important to maintain a regular schedule to ensure that your body’s hormones are in sync and functioning properly. This in turn will help you avoid Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that people with Alzheimer’s disease have more hormone irregularities than those who don’t have the disease. Keeping a regular schedule also helps you avoid the pitfalls of Alzheimer’s disease since you’ll be functioning at your best and performing daily tasks more easily. Scheduling regular meals and outings can also help promote social interaction and help keep your mind active. Scheduling activities can also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease since it keeps your body active and prevents you from becoming sluggish or bored.
- Exercise regularly. Studies have shown that exercise can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been shown to increase the production of growth hormones in the brain, promoting brain health. Regular exercise can also increase the production of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps regulate behavior. Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce dementia and Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in patients. If you want to avoid Alzheimer’s disease, exercise regularly!
- Don’t smoke. While it’s not solely associated with Alzheimer’s disease, it certainly doesn’t help. There is now considerable evidence that smoking increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that people who smoke are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who don’t – especially if they also have Alzheimer’s in their family. If you’re looking to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, don’t smoke!
- Be careful with your weight. There is now considerable evidence that obesity greatly increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re looking to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, watch what you eat and make sure you maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that being overweight or obese increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by several magnitudes. If you want to be extra careful, attempt to lose a few pounds – even just 5-10% of your body weight can help significantly in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. You might also want to consult with a professional to get assistance with losing weight and sticking to a diet plan.
- Avoid alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is still considerable controversy as to whether or not this is a cause or effect of the disease. What is clear is that alcohol increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re looking to avoid Alzheimer’s disease, don’t drink alcohol!
- Consult with your doctor. It is advisable to consult with your doctor if you’re looking to avoid Alzheimer’s disease or have already been diagnosed with it. Your doctor can help you identify the problems that you’re having and help you find the best solutions for them. They may also be able to suggest which medications or treatments would be suitable for you to try.
Alzheimer’s Disease And Heart Disease
With Valentine’s Day now behind you, it’s time to look at how Alzheimer’s disease affects the heart and whether or not there’s a link between the two. For those individuals with AD, heart disease is often the cause of death, occurring either as a direct result of the disease or due to complications arising from the condition. For many, heart disease occurs before the patient even becomes aware that they have Alzheimer’s disease. This is especially tragic since there are available treatments for heart disease that could significantly improve a patient’s overall quality of life. For those patients, it’s essential that their doctors consider the possibility of Alzheimer’s when evaluating their heart health.
What’s The Link?
While it’s still unclear what causes Alzheimer’s disease, there is one factor that is considered to be a possible catalyst for the condition – and that’s hypertension (high blood pressure). Arteriosclerosis, a condition in which the walls of the arteries become thick and eventually lead to vessel stenosis, has also been associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This is mainly because the disease affects the area of the brain that controls memory and learning – areas of the brain that are also affected by arteriosclerosis. In some cases, Alzheimer’s disease has also been shown to occur in the context of diabetes mellitus, a disease in which the body’s ability to metabolize sugars is compromised. Diabetes can result in complications in the form of neuropathy, a nerve condition that makes it difficult to feel pleasant sensations such as touch or pain – placing these individuals at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.