Early Alzheimer’s onset affecting people in 40’s

Early Alzheimer’s onset affecting people in 40’s

PUNE: Doctors from the city say that there is a need for more awareness about Alzheimer’s disease as only 1 per cent of the Alzheimer’s affected patients are impacted due to their genetic makeup and the rest are most likely caused by lifestyle and environmental factors. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia marked by a steady decline in thinking capability and skills including behavioural and social skills and disrupts a person’s ability to function independently.

Speaking about Alzheimer’s, Dr Bhushan Nilkanth Joshi, Consultant - Neurologist, Columbia Asia Hospital said that Alzheimer’s disease affects elderly patients only, early onset of the disease is increasingly affecting people even in their 40’s.

“Most of these people lead a sedentary life - sitting long hours and minimal or no physical activity - and subject themselves to poor dietary habits. At the core of Alzheimer’s disease are problems with brain proteins that do not function normally and disrupt the work of brain cells called neurons. Once neurons are damaged, they lose connections and eventually die, affecting the overall capability of the brain. Most often, the damage starts in the region of the brain that controls memory, years before the first symptoms are seen,” said Dr Joshi.

He added that diets failing to provide right nutrition and lack of physical exercise are the major reasons of the exponential rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as those of heart, stroke and high blood pressure.

Echoing similar views, Dr Sadique Pathan, Consultant Neurology, Sahyadri Hospital said that research has shown that the risk factors associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, may also increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

“The plaques and tangles that disrupts the flow of blood to the heart may also disrupt the flow of blood to the brain, causing the neurons to die a slow death. Regular physical exercise will benefit not only those who are predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease but will also reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia for anyone - exercise directly benefits the brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow. A number of studies indicate that maintaining strong social connections and keeping mind active as we age might play a role in lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr Pathan.

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