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Coping With Alzheimer's and Dementia With Lasting Power of Attorney

What would be the implications for your family and other dependents if accident or illness rendered you mentally incapacitated? This is a horrible question to have to ask yourself but sadly an important one nonetheless. People usually associate a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with terminal illness or old age but the unexpected can strike when you least expect it. Yes, all this sounds very depressing. But knowing that your loved ones will be fine, if you were incapacitated, will provide the peace of mind and it will put aside all such negative thoughts and focus on enjoying your life.

Typical issues for mental incapacity will be Alzheimer's and Dementia. The occurrence of dementia in Singapore, those aged 65 years and above in year 2005 was 22,000. By 2020 it is projected the figure will increase to 53,000 and by 2050 the projected figure will further increase to 187,000.

This can be particularly distressing for the families of sufferers. But in such situations, if a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) has been established, a friend or relative can at least act on behalf of the sufferer to ensure that financial affairs are managed.

It makes sense to give consideration to establishing an LPA at the same time as you create your Will as much of the required activity is very similar. Like creating a Will, if left too late, friends and relatives who need to carry out any financial affairs for the sufferer must nominate a Proxy Decision Maker which will be appointed through the court. This can be a long and expensive procedure.

It is a misconception that an LPA is something only the elderly should consider. Mental illness can strike at any age as can other incapacitating events. Having an LPA in place is a small price to pay for peace of mind that your financial affairs will be in order should you be unable to manage them yourself.

So what is a Power of Attorney and how does it work?

A power of attorney is, generally speaking, a document where you give another person (your attorney) the authority to manage your affairs and act on your behalf.

In Singapore, the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is defined as: "A legal document which allows a person who is at least 21 years of age (the 'donor') and who has mental capacity, to voluntarily appoint one or more persons ('donee or donees') he trusts to act and make decisions on his behalf if he should lose mental capacity one day." - The Mental Capacity Act came into effect on 1 March 2010.

To sum it up, the LPA is done to protect the interests of those who have lost mental capacity and have become vulnerable. This Act then enables families to plan ahead and gives them the power to make choices for their future in the event they should lose their mental capacity.

It is crucial therefore to ensure you seek appropriate legal assistance when drawing up a Lasting Power of Attorney to ensure it is written in a way which achieves your wishes and to a greater extent part of your comprehensive Estate Plan.

Reza Kamarudin
Estate Planner / Business Manager,
Estate Planning Singapore,
http://www.estateplanningsingapore.com
reza@estateplanningsingapore.com

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Alzheimer's Test: Confirmation And Treatment Of This Disease

There is not one Alzheimer's test that can be done which can tell you whether you are suffering from Alzheimer's with 100% certainty. Tests which are done can suggest, that Alzheimer's is probable. The only conclusive test which can be done, is an autopsy when you have died.

This simply put means that even though doctors suspect this, and all the evidence suggests it. Alzheimer's is not confirmed until death.

If Alzheimer's is suspected a small written test can be done in around 10 minutes to confirm 99% Alzheimer's. this test will ask simple questions such as, what colors do you mix to create green?

There are obvious problems with this test as correctly answering questions on the day may be possible, if it is a good day for you and your symptoms, if it is a bad day the test could be more accurate.

If Alzheimer's is diagnosed early, your family and friends are able to plan for future troubles. Dealing with Alzheimer's is hard, but with the help of family and health workers it becomes that little bit easier.

In addition to the written test, you may be given a brain scan, this can not give accurate results it can only suggest that Alzheimer's is the problem. Doctors often use many different tests to predict whether or not you have Alzheimer's.

Most doctors and Alzheimer's specialists usually conduct a MMSE exam to try and diagnose Alzheimer's. this will probably be mentioning 3 or 4 objects at the beginning of an appointment and then being asked to recall these objects at the end of the appointment.

This is a quick exam and takes roughly 10 minutes to complete, this then gives the doctor or specialist an idea of how bad the problem is. Then they are able to decide on the right treatment for you.

Treatment may include medications such as;

- MAO-B and COMT inhibitors
- Glutamate antagonist
- Anticholinergics
- Apomorphine
- Dopamine agonists
- Levodopa

Treatments such as;

- Physiotherapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Occupational therapy

Once your doctors have confirmed that this may be Alzheimer's through any of the tests that they have provided. They can give you the medication and other care that you require to deal with your individual needs.

Research is still being conducted in to advancing medications in the hope that they may find a way of drastically improving the symptoms of Alzheimer's. As of yet there is no known cure for this condition, this makes treatment much more important.

If you are worried about the effects of Alzheimer's, on your loved ones there are organizations who can help. Your carer may be able to suggest a good support group that you might benefit from attending.

Alzheimer's test studies have found that of 100 Alzheimer's patients who took the small written exam 90 of them were confirmed as having the condition. For more information on how the Alzheimer's test is done speak with your doctor they will be able to provide you with all the information you need.

For further information on Alzheimer's test then please visit my health ezines site for detailed information not only on this disease but many other health related topics.

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Alzheimer's Prognosis - Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is a degenerative, progressive disease and affects memories, behavior and thinking as it is another type of dementia. It affects the ability of the person to carry out the normal activities. It is a neurogenerative disease which named after Aloi Alzheimer ( the German physician ) who first explained it. There is no treatment for alzheimer's, and it is the seventh leading cause of death in US.

In any dementia type, memory loss is the feature for diagnosis. The advancement rate in each patient differs from each other. The old people are having high alzheimer's developing risks. It is also developed by family history and old age. there are many factors also like:

1- Being women as they live longer than men, so they are prone to develop alzheimer's

2- Head Damage or injury history

3- High homocyteine levels

4- Coronary heart disease, diabetes, very old blood pressure. 

There are two alzheimer's disease types ( early onset and late onset ). The symptoms of early onset alzheimer's are:

1- Mood change

2- Difficulty in doing tasks that take times such as playing complex game and balancing checkbook

3- Loss of interest

4- Personality change such as less spontaneity apathy

5- Forgetting names of people and objects

6- Mislaying items

7- Repeating sentences and statements

Symptoms of late onset alzheimer's are:

1- Can't choose proper clothing

2- Forget their life and their self

3- Fantasy, nervous and dejected

4- Memory loss in current events

5- Difficulty in doing tasks such as driving and preparing meals.

6- Can't perform the basic things like bathing, dressing and eating

7- Can't recognize family members

8- Can't communicate and doesn't understand

Get more information about Alzheimer's prognosis.

Alzheimer's causes and symptoms - Alzheimer's treatment ( ALZHEIMER'S )

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New Information on Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is an irreversible progressive brain disease that slowly destroys brain cells, destroying memory and thinking skills and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest of tasks. The incidence of Alzheimer's is rising, however, beyond treating merely the symptoms, treatment of the underlying causes are beginning to be addressed by researchers. Find out the latest information on, causes, prevalence, current treatments and new treatment strategies that are on the horizon.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

Although how the disease starts it is still unknown, we do know that damage to the brain begins as early as 10 to 20 years before problems are evident. This occurs in the formation of abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles). As plaques and tangles form, healthy neurons lose their ability to function, and eventually they die. This damaging process spreads to the hippocampus, a nearby structure that is essential for forming memories. As the death of neurons increases, affected brain regions begin to shrink. By the final stage of Alzheimer's, damage is widespread and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

It is likely that over a long period of time, age-related changes, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors occur and contribute to disease progression.

1. Age-related changes -in the brain include atrophy (shrinking) of certain parts of the brain, inflammation, and the production of unstable molecules called free radicals which harm neurons.

2. Genetics - people who develop Alzheimer's before age 65 usually have a mutation, or permanent change, in one of three inherited genes located on chromosomes 1 (SEN2), 14 (SEN1) and 21 (APP, A4). These gene mutations cause "early-onset" disease, however, not all early-onset cases are caused by these mutations. Most people have "late-onset" disease, which usually develops after age 65, and is linked to the gene APOE. Having the APOE ?4 form of APOE, increases a person's risk of getting Alzheimer's. Forty percent of all people who develop late-onset Alzheimer's carry APOE ?4. However, carrying APOE ?4 does not always mean that a person will develop Alzheimer's, and people carrying no APOE ?4 forms can still develop the disease.

Additional genes may influence the development of late-onset disease. Scientists have identified variants of the SORL1, CLU, PICALM, and CR1 genes that may play a role in risk of late-onset Alzheimer's.

3. Lifestyle factors -new research suggests that a nutritious diet, physical activity, social engagement, and mentally stimulating activities can all help to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease. Scientists are now investigating associations between cognitive decline and vascular and metabolic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity to determine whether reducing risk factors for these diseases may help with Alzheimer's.

New information on Alzheimer's Disease as of 2010

As stated by the Alzheimer's Association report of 2010, new information on several aspects of the disease is evident:

1. Prevelance 

• 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease and 5.1 of these are over age 65.That is 1 in 8 people over the age of 65.
• More women have the disease than men, primarily because women live longer than men.
• Less education is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia, possibly due to less cognitive reserve, a lower socio-economic status, and poorer medical care.
• African Americans are two times and Hispanics are one and one half times more likely than whites to have dementia. This may be related to incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, low socio economic status and education.

2. Current treatment - the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease by disease stage. 

• Donepezil (Aricept) for all stages.
• Galatamine (Razadyne), Rivastigmine (Exelon), and Tacrine (Cognex) for mild to moderate stages.
• Memantine (Namenda) for moderate to severe stages.

3. Future treatments-three separate clinical trails are beginning, to determine future diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. 

• Better diagnosis -using biomarkers to identify disease at a very early stage where symptoms and impairment are milder.
• Immunoglobulin Treatment-Using intravenous immunoglobulin IGIv, to reduce the presence of amyloid plaques.
• Treatment with Ceregene's CERE-110,- a gene therapy product designed to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) to the brain for a general treatment strategy

Audrey Robinson is a research scientist in Cell and Molecular Biology. She is dedicated to the field of cancer research and has striven to support this research through her internet business marketing products for financial education and wealth management. She is also a coach for internet marketers. Visit her website http://www.meetaudreyrobinson.com/?t=ezine that offers help for those seeking financial freedom and independence as well as wealth management education.

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Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

Alzheimer's disease now affects more than 5 million Americans, and research projects that number will triple to more than 15 million by 2050. This dreaded memory-robbing disease is feared more than any other disease by most people, as it hits at the core of our being, stealing treasured experiences and our most basic identity.

While there is a genetic link for a small subset of patients who develop Alzheimer's disease, the vast majority are victims of poor lifestyle choices which are at the root of this condition. As medical science races to find a pharmaceutical cure, experts agree that there are a number of healthy changes which should be adopted to dramatically reduce the risk of falling victim to this insidious affliction.

Controlling the Risk Factors

Four key factors have been identified which directly affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease:

• Chronic stress throughout adult life quadruples incidence in later life.
• Obesity in midlife increases Alzheimer's disease by 3 ½ times.
• Uncontrolled diabetes is related to a twofold increase in disease
• Smoking ups the risk factor by 79%

Each of these factors can and should be controlled to dramatically reduce or virtually eliminate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Many of the top diseases which claim the lives of Americans today are caused by poor diet and lifestyle, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke. Prevention is the key, as all of these diseases are much more difficult to treat once they're diagnosed. Making relatively simple changes earlier in life can have a profound effect on development of Alzheimer's disease and longevity.

Exercise Your Body and Brain

Physical activity is good for both the muscles and the brain. Exercise helps regulate blood sugar uptake to the cells and insulin sensitivity, and both when poorly controlled contribute to diabetes and Alzheimer's risk. Moderate cardio and resistance training on most days of the week helps build muscle mass and improves cognitive health. To exercise the brain, pick up a good book or challenge yourself by learning a new skill. Forcing the brain to build new memory pathways will assist short term memory and improve retention.

Adopt a Healthy Diet

Reduce total calories consumed and eliminate refined carbohydrates, sugary drinks and pastries. Many refer to Alzheimer's disease as "diabetes of the brain", as it is characterized by inflammation and insulin resistance which affects communications between neurons. Diet is the best way to reduce these risks. Eat a rainbow of different raw vegetables, nuts, seeds and unprocessed or cooked oils. Be sure to include Omega-3 fats from fish or fish oil supplements, as these provide the building blocks for brain cell wall construction.

Relax and Reduce Stress Factors

Lifelong, chronic stress appears to have a significant impact on the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Stress increases cortisol, a powerful hormone which can hamper nerve cell growth and connections, leading to cognitive decline. Learn breathing techniques which increase brain oxygen levels and attenuate your response to stress. Take a 30 minute walk, meditate or learn yoga,as all are proven to reduce the stress factors that lead to disease proliferation.

Shield Your Brain

The brain is an amazing organ which is well protected by the skull and the blood-brain barrier. Still, it is vulnerable to physical injury and toxic assault. Always protect your head when competing in injury prone sporting events or when riding a bike or motorcycle. Research shows that a single traumatic brain injury early in life can double the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease as you age. Get rid of synthetic toxic chemicals from around the house, including cleaning supplies, detergents and personal care items in favor of natural, organic substitutes. Over the course of decades, these chemicals build up in your tissues and can lead to dementia.

There are important steps which we all should take to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. It's now understood that this form of dementia is largely caused by factors which are well within our control, and we can take charge of our diet and lifestyle to prevent our chances of becoming a grim statistic.

Read More Expert Advice on Diet, Health and Nutrition

John Phillip is a Health Researcher and Author who writes regularly on the cutting edge use of diet, lifestyle modifications and targeted supplementation to enhance and improve the quality and length of life. Visit My Optimal Health Resource to continue reading the latest health news updates.

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The Importance Of Alzheimer's Research and How It Is Helping Millions

It's no secret that Alzheimer's disease is rapidly growing in America. Everyday more people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Most of us probably have a parent, grandparent or other relative that has been diagnosed with this disease. This is an incredibly difficult disease because in many cases it affects the family members as well as the person suffering from the disease. Sadly, there is currently no known cure for Alzheimer's disease.

Doctors and scientists over the last several years have dedicated their time and energy full time to the research of Alzheimer's in hopes of discovering the elusive cure. Alzheimer's research is a top priority for today's medical research community.

To some it may not seem like a big deal. Many people figure that since most of the people diagnosed are older than 60 that it's not as important. They probably fail to realize however that early onset Alzheimer's can affect people in their forties and fifties too. That means that some people are spending half their life dealing with this disease. For the families of these victims it also means that they miss out on twenty years or more with their loved ones.

For those who don't have a family member or friend diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease it is probably pretty hard to imagine how difficult this can be on the family members. Alzheimer's disease is a disease that attacks the brain. People suffering from it often have a difficult time remembering things, or even living in the present.

There have been dramatizations of Alzheimer's disease on several television shows, notably Grey's Anatomy that presented a segment where two of its leading characters fought to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Throughout the many difficult cases they aired of Alzheimer's patients, they gave us a clearer glimpse into how much suffering goes into the patient with the disease as well as those who care for the afflicted loved one.

Television shows are able to reveal to us what it might be like to be diagnosed with Alzheimer or be a loved one of someone who has the disease. These shows help those with no direct experience of the subject to understand the extensive damage Alzheimer's disease causes to the sufferers and those who care for them. We cannot fully conceive of what it would be like to basically lose our minds to the extent we do not recognize our own children. Neither can we fully come to grips with the distress of the child whose own parent no longer recognizes him.

There are millions of families across the United States who do know the suffering and know it first hand. They also are aware that it is not just an old person's disease; it can strike younger family members as well, meaning that the caregiver has a very long siege ahead of them as well as the patient they love so much. This is one of the reasons why Alzheimer's disease research has such a high priority.

Possibly with adequate funding, the scientists and doctors so diligently working on finding a cure in various laboratories will come up with a cure for Alzheimer's disease. If some day you find yourself with a few extra bucks in your wallet, don't go in for that Super size caramel latte; donate it to Alzheimer's research instead. It's these little contributions that grow into big discoveries in searching for a cure for this terrible, debilitating disease.

If you enjoyed the previous article, you may go and check out other similar articles or reviews at Sy Schlager or this Sy Schlager Site.

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Tips to Help Alzheimer's Patients

Alzheimer's disease is one of nature's cruelest inventions to date. Our memories of ourselves and our loved ones make up the fabric of our lives; we are our memories. To have them taken away in small segments over the course of years is a terrible way to live for both patient and their family. For the patient, they are living in a constant state of fear and anticipation. Not having lucid memories of events and people, they spend every moment frightened of their own children whom they see as strangers. For the family and friends of Alzheimer's patients the realisation that your parent does not remember you is heartbreaking. It's also terrifying to realise that many missing persons cases are actually Alzheimer's disease patients who have wondered away from their home not knowing the dangers they may encounter on their own.

At the present time there is no cure for this terrible disease but there are some ways to help the patient to fight against it and retain many of their precious memories.

Many researchers all over the world are encouraging their Alzheimer's patient to take up swimming as a way to boost their memory. When a person swims or performs other activities in the water their brain and body work in unison to perform the task. Older Alzheimer's sufferers also seem to have many strong memories associated with swimming such as long summers spent by their local beach or teaching their own children to swim. Researchers are also looking at the effects of playing music to Alzheimer's patients, particularly their favourite songs or ones from their past. Family members are encouraged to sit down with the victim of Alzheimer's and to create a play list of their favourite tunes. This can be the anchor to the victim who can listen to this album whenever they want. As the disease progresses this music will help them to remember times in the past and will also help to give them a stronger grip on the present.

Other memory games include creating mnemonics and word lists. Mnemonics are short poems or phrases that are also great memory aides, such as the phrase "Roy G Biv" to help people to remember the colours of a rainbow where every letter in the name corresponds to the colour: Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet. Lists are also great ways to help to improve the memory of a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Want to play interesting memory games? Just click memory games now!

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Dementia and Alzheimer's - Natural Dietary Tips for Brain Health

• Are you concerned about Alzheimer's and dementia?
• Does someone you know, or love, face the daily reality of memory loss?

For many people the fear of dementia, like public speaking, measures greater than our fear of death. While many preventative strategies have been suggested, the best prevention is a diet and lifestyle that supports optimal brain health.

What are the causes of dementia?

While the progressive memory loss of dementia can be caused by a number of different conditions, it is important to realise that it is not an inevitable part of aging. In reality, correct nutrition and, the elimination of environmental toxins, can help us to retain mental alertness and function to allow us to enjoy the golden years.

Using Fatty Acids to Improve Brain Health

More commonly referred to as fish oils, DHA omega-3 fatty acids help to protect the brain from damage by preventing inflammation within the tissues of the brain. DHA, like other omega-3 fatty acids is commonly found in high concentrations in oily fish, and to a lesser extent eggs and poultry. A study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, found that of 815 participants, consumption of fish once a week, provided a 60% reduced risk for developing Alzheimer's.

Not really keen on fish? Try a good quality, purified, fish oil supplement. A purified fish oil also ensures environmental toxins including: mercury, PCB and petrochemicals; have been removed.

The Insulin Connection to Alzheimer's Disease

Are you affected by insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome? Problems with glucose metabolism and control of insulin levels have been associated with an increased risk of development of Alzheimer's disease.

While the exact mechanics of this are still unclear, it has been found that decreased levels of insulin production and increased insulin resistance in the brain coincide with an increase in the characteristic plaques that form in the brain of those with Alzheimer's Disease.

Implementing a low carbohydrate, high protein, ketogenic diet has been shown to be beneficial in resetting insulin sensitivity, and has offered improvements in Alzheimer's related symptoms.

A Cup of Green Tea to Help Brain Health

Do you need another reason to take time out for a cup of tea? In a large study of 716 Chinese adults over 55 years old, total tea consumption was associated with improved performance in mental tasks.

Catechins, an ingredient in which green tea is particularly high, have been shown to make effective antioxidants. Not only do catechins directly protect against oxidative damage, but they also "switch on" our bodies production of glutathione, another powerful antioxidant.

By increasing our intake of foods rich in antioxidants, such as green tea, we can help reduce the inflammation and damage caused by the byproducts of metabolism. Antioxidants, particularly glutathione, have also been shown to be protective against heavy metals and other environmental toxins. These are particularly damaging to the brain, due to its high fat content and ability to pass the blood brain barrier.

Passion4Health a brisbane naturopath, has extensive experience in natural anti-ageing and life extension.

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How to Prevent Both Alzheimer's and Diabetes

Medical researchers are finding strong links between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease with diabetics at a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. Although diabetes has become an epidemic in America, with over 20 million victims and 40 million with pre-diabetes, it is largely preventable and reversible.

Both diseases share many biological similarities, which is why scientists believe they are related. One common thread in both diabetes and Alzheimer's is AGEs, or "advanced glycation end products", which are produced from sugar within our bodies. They damage proteins in the body and can combine with free radicals to produce additional damaging oxidative stress.

In addition, researchers have found that high insulin levels, a characteristic of diabetes, increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other dementias. A recent Swedish study found diabetics had a 70% greater risk of developing Alzheimer's, while a California study of over 22,000 diabetics over 50 found those with poor blood sugar control were 78% more likely to develop dementia.

To protect yourself from this dual epidemic of diabetes and dementia, follow this simple, three part plan.

STEP 1:

The first step is to improve your diet. A typical American is loaded with sugar, starch and unhealthy fats. Reduce your sugar consumption, paying close attention to the hidden sugars found in processed foods and soft drinks. Eat more healthy fats, such as monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fats, which can improve insulin resistance. You'll find omega-3 fats in cold water fish and free-range, pasture fed animals. Monounsaturated fats are found in foods like almonds, avocados and olive oil. My favorite book about eating to prevent or reverse diabetes is Dr. Neal Barnard's Program for Reversing Diabetes: The Scientifically Proven System for Reversing Diabetes without Drugs

Step 2:

The second step is exercising regularly, which can reduce insulin and blood sugar levels, as well as improve cognition. Try for at least a half hour of exercise at least four times a week. You don't have to pump iron - a vigorous walk around the neighborhood will do.

STEP 3:

The third step is to take the nutritional supplements that can improve insulin sensitivity and help reduce the risk of inflammation, diabetes and dementia. There are six that have been found effective in hundreds of studies.

1. Carnosine. This natural compound can protect us from the damaging effects of AGEs and free radicals.
2. Chromium. This mineral is widely used to improve blood sugar metabolism and decrease fasting glucose and insulin.
3. Cinnamon. This common spice is used to control healthy blood sugar levels, as well as being a powerful antioxidant.
4. Curcumin. In addition to it's antioxidant powers, curcumin helps to normalize blood sugar levels and protect the nervous system to support brain health.
5. Lipoic acid. Alpah-lipoic acid can improve insulin sensitivity and protect the brain against oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
6. Magnesium. Studies have shown magnesium can improve insulin sensitivity to help control diabetes.

Following this simple three step plan of a healthy diet, regular exercise and targeted nutritional supplements can help reduce the risk of both diabetes and Alzheimer's. Don't delay, start today, with just one step. Your body and your brain will thank you.

Craig Wallin is the editor of the Alzheimer's Prevention Digest, a free resource to help you improve your memory, stop brain aging and develop your own personal "Alzheimer's Prevention Program." To learn more, visit: http://alzheimerspreventiondigest.com

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Can Exercise Help Against Alzheimer's Disease?

Over the years, I have studied many reports which indicated that regular, moderate exercise is not only an important factor in living a long and healthy live in general, but that it also helps delay, reduce, and prevent many conditions associated with aging.

However, there have also been many reports, which appear to indicate that exercise is also valuable in the same way in relation to degenerative cognitive function, and Alzheimer's Disease.

Once such study, begun in 1986 and lasting through 2006 concluded that participating individuals who exercised on a fairly regular basis saw a decreased risk of around 40 percent of contracting dementia. On the other hand, those who barely exercised, or did not exercise at all, experienced a risk increase of 45 percent.

Additionally, according to the Alzheimer's Association website, there seems to be a growing body of evidence from various studies and research showing an apparent, and significant, link between heart health and brain health. The brain, which has one of the richest networks of blood vessels in the body, depends on a healthy heart to send it the resources it needs for optimal mental function.

High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, all at least partially controllable with regular exercise, can also contribute to the onset of dementia and/or Alzheimer's disease. Again, a regular exercise program can help prevent, or reduce the effects of, such conditions, thus lowering the risk of Alzheimer's.

The same risk/reduction of risk situation seems to exist in relation to body weight, or, more specifically, excess fat on the body. Making the effort to burn fat through exercise and appropriate nutritional choices is simply a part of the overall process which produces the huge general health benefits, and specific Alzheimer's risk reduction, already associated with a lifestyle of sensible diet and regular physical activity.

While there is, at this time, no guarantee that any one lifestyle choice, medication, or supplement, will "prevent" Alzheimer's, there is quite a lot of agreement among researchers that regular exercise does produce positive results against the disease, and the mental degeneration of aging, such as dementia.

This beneficial effect can actually have several levels.

For example, not only does the exercise itself seem to produce direct benefits in relation to mental acuity and faculty, it gives the individual purpose, allows them to concentrate on tasks, and maintain an interest in life which can have its own beneficial effects. Additionally, it gives the aging individual the energy and strength to deal with many of the other aspects of aging which combine to accelerate all areas of the aging experience.

Donovan Baldwin is a 65-year-old amateur bodybuilder, freelance writer, certified optician, and Internet marketer currently living in the Atlanta, Gerogia area. A University Of West Florida alumnus (1973) with a BA in accounting, he has been a Program Accountant for the Florida State Department of Education, the Business Manager of a community mental health center, and a multi-county Fiscal Consultant for an educational field office. He has also been a trainer for a major international corporation, and has been writing poetry, articles, and essays for over 40 years, and now frequently publishes original articles online His blog on senior health issues, Fitness After 40 can bee viewed at http://fitness-after-40.blogspot.com.

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Alzheimer's Disease and Symptoms

Alzheimers disease has become very popular among a number of patients in the countries like the US, especially, in the older patients. The patients suffering with the disease face significant complications in thinking, understanding and communicating. A disease leads to a severe damage in the brain and memory. The sickness leads to negative affects in a person's normal family life, social gathering and a normal individuality. The disease shows a slow progress inside the brain resulting in a severe grievance in the memory. It creates a disturbance in almost all those works which are been derived by the brain. Many times, the sickness takes years to increase. This mental illness can occur due to an injury inside the brain, an existence cancerous cells or tumors, hypertension or high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease or an increasing level of cholesterol in the blood. Medical experts say that the person, who has a less grade of education, can also develop this disease.

The illness begins with a simple kind of confusion and memory loss, which later develops a significant difficulty in the learning, assuming and imaging process inside the brain. Memory loss is one of the most imperative Alzheimers symptoms. The person who suffers with the illness can forget even recent conversations and appointments. He/she can forget or misplace important things, can forget names and they can even keep things in wrong places. They can also have problems related to alphabets and numbers. The patient will also face difficulty in searching correct words, sentences, time and dates. They can even be uncomfortable in some certain situations and even inside his/her own family or friends. The disease can also lead to extreme anxiety, aggressiveness, social departure, increase in stubbornness and severe mood swings. These kinds of people loss their conviction. The patient will also face problems in everyday works like cooking and those works, which need a proper preparation.

Usually, the physical expert diagnosis the sickness through the patient's current health and mental status and the earlier period of his illness. These conditions help the doctors to have a go for a correct treatment. In this judgment the doctors check how much the patient is facing problem in daily work, if the patient has a History of any mental disorder, his memory, employment standing and his/her reactions in some significant situations. The doctors also check if the patient is taking any kind of medications or drugs. The other tests include a mini-mental state exam like for example his counting skills, skills of solving problems and most importantly, the patient's skills of concentration.

In a treatment process of Alzheimer, the medical experts suggest medications including some therapeutic methods for the treatment. Currently, the US Food and Drug Association or FDA has approved two categories of medications in the treatment of the disease. These medications are named as partial glutamate antagonists and cholinesterase inhibitors. These medications do not give a complete cure but can provide a relief to the disorder to certain extend. The medications named as Cholinesterase inhibitors or ChEIs like the rivastigmine or Exelon, donepezil hydrochloride or Aricept, rivastigmine or Exelon, and tacrine or Cognex. These medications are been approved by the Food and Drug Association or FDA. The medical studies say that the patient sufferings with the sickness have a significant lack in the chemical neurotransmitters inside the brain, which is known as acetylcholine. It is a very important element inside the brain, which leads in the configuration of new memories. The medications CHEIS helps to reproduce the acetylcholine elements produce and improve new memories. The other medications partial glutamate antagonists help to maintain the level of glutamate inside the brain.

Medical experts say that Glutamate is a very important excitatory neurotransmitter inside the brain and an extra production of these elements can lead to negative affects inside the brain. There are also some other kind treatments, which are known as non-medication based treatments. These methods of treatment help to maximize the patient's involvement and improvement in the events and other works of the society. Like for example providing guidance to the patient's standing, sitting, walking and talking methods. The other process is known as Cognitive rehabilitation, where the medical experts suggest the patient to apply computer programs and train the memory. Some other medications include trazodone or Dessyrel, antipsychotics, anxiolytics and mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants. Some of the atypical antipsychotic agents like risperidone or Rispeerdal, olanzapine or Zyprexa or Zydis, Geodon or Ziprasisone etc. The patients who are suffering with anxiety or depression are suggested to have an intake of fluoxetine, citalopram, setraline or Zoloft etc. These medications are known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The patients who are suffering with insomnia due to Alzheimer are generally advised to have an intake of trazodone or Desyrel. Physical experts also suggest the patients to adopt measures to improve the sleep process and reduce the intake of nighttime medications.

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Alzheimer's Disease: A Form of Dementia

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. The disease was first observed by a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and is named after him. Alzheimer's disease is an incorrigible neurodegenerative disorder generally occurring in individuals above 65 years of age but cases with early onset of the disease are not uncommon. A report presented in 2006 specified that about 26.6 million individuals suffer from this neurodegenerative disease. The symptoms of this disorder are although inimitable for every individual but there are many symptoms that are common. The initial symptoms of the disease are loss of the capability to form new memories and inability to recall current events. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is based on cognitive tests and brain scan. As the disease advances the individual shows the symptoms of confusion, irritability, aggression, mood fluctuations, language problems and finally long-term memory loss. The vivacious functions of body fail to operate and death is the decisive fate. Less than 3% percent live for about fourteen years after the diagnosis of the disease.

The precise cause of Alzheimer's disease is still not understood. Researches carried out all over the world designate that the disease is caused due to the accretion of plaques and tangles in the brain. Although treatment for this disorder is available but the chances of complete recovery is less. More than 500 clinical trials have been carried out but meticulous reason for the occurrence of this disorder is yet not available. Mental stimulation, balanced diet and exercise are recommended for the patients of this disorder. As Alzheimer's disease is degenerative and incurable disease proper management of the patient is essential. Family support is sturdily required.

Who are at risk?

The prime factor blamable for Alzheimer's disease is increased age and as the age of the individual increases the risk of this disease also increases. According to a report about 10% of the individuals belonging to the age group of 65 and 50% of the individuals of the age group of 85 suffer from Alzheimer's disease. According to a guesstimate the number of patients of this disease will increase to 14 million by 2050. Genetic factors are also thought to be responsible for this disease and most of the individuals develop this disorder after the age of 70.

However, about 2-5% of the individuals develop the symptoms in their early forties and fifties. The children of a person with early onset of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are at 50% risk of developing this disorder. The gene located on chromosome 19 is believed to be responsible for this disease. However, in majority of cases specific genetic risks have not been identified yet. Other risk factors associated are high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, high blood cholesterol and diabetes. All the patients of Down syndrome develop this disorder in their forties.

Symptoms

The onset of the disease is gradual but the symptoms become more penetrating as the disease advances. Problems associated with short-term memory normally arise in the earlier phase of the disease. Mild personality changes also occur in the preliminary phase of the disorder. With the advancement of the disease the patient develops symptoms of difficulty in abstract thinking and other intellectual impairments. The patient feels difficulty in carrying out the office work also. Behavioral changes also take place. In later cases the person becomes confused and disoriented in relation to month, time, people and places. The person is also at the jeopardy of getting infected with pneumonia and the condition become worse before the death of the patient.

Ten warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

The Alzheimer's Association has developed a list of warning signs that can help the medical expert to ascertain whether a person is suffering from Alzheimer's disease or not. These signs are memory loss, difficulty if performing duties coupled with family. Problems with language, disorientation in relation to time and place, decreased judgment ability and difficulty in abstract thinking. Misplacing things, mood fluctuations, behavioral changes and loss of ability to take initiative for any task are also common. The advancement of this disorder is precarious and sluggish and the memory status of the patient becomes inferior day by day but he or she may not develop dementia as there are convinced criteria that form the baseline of dementia. This syndrome is recognized as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and can be analyzed only after neurophysiological testing. There are numerous forms of MCI but the most common one is associated with memory impairment. The aptitude to plan a work and the cognitive ability of the individual are not affected in this syndrome. Individuals with this type of MCI are known as amnestic MCI and have a high risk of getting affected with Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with incapability of decision making are at low risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Causes and risk factors

The rigorous cause of the disease is still vague but the amyloid cascade hypothesis is most extensively discussed and agreed in this context. The data that supports this hypothesis actually comes from the early onset of Alzheimer's disease that had a genetic basis. In about half of the patients with early onset of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, mutations play a key role. In all these patients mutations result in the disproportionate production of a protein fragment known as ABeta in brain. In the present scenario much of the research is focused on finding out the ways to slow down the extreme production of this protein in Alzheimer's disease. The biggest and the principal significant factor of this disorder is the increased age. The individuals belonging to the age group of 65-85 are at the double risk of developing this disease. Only 1-2% of individuals of 70 years of age develop Alzheimer's disease however, about 40% individuals of 85 years of age develop this disorder. The individuals that lived in the past for about 95 years were not the sufferers of this disease.

There are many genes that can be considered responsible for the development of this disease but they may not develop the disorder every time. The major risky gene that is generally considered responsible for AD is apoE that encodes for apolipoprotein E. This gene apoE occurs in three alleles namely apoE2, apoE3 and apoE4. The allele apoE4 is believed to upsurge the risk of the disease and the frequency lies below 30%. The individuals with one copy of apoE4 have two-three times increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and those with two copies of this allele have nine-fold increased risk. Generally individuals with two copies may not suffer from the disease always but only one copy of E4 is generally found in individuals with late onset of the disorder. We can predict here that genetic basis does not form a strong baseline for Alzheimer's disease. Genetic tests also do not forecast that the children of the patients of this disease are at the risk of developing this disorder in their lifetime. Majority of the studies carried out have signposted that females are at a superior risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in comparison to males. It is clear that the lifespan of females is longer than males but this criterion cannot be correlated with the occurrence of AD. Scientists believe that the estrogen level can be compared with the risk of developing the disease, so much research is now focused on this issue. Even studies have indicated that the individuals who have received traumatic head injuries are at an elevated risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Diagnosis and importance of clinical evaluation

No specific blood test and imaging technique can predict that whether a person is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. For the diagnosis of this disorder a person must fulfill the criteria that form the baseline for dementia. A number of factors can be considered responsible for the development of dementia. Neurological disorders namely Parkinson's disease, brain tumors, blood clots, cerebrovascular disease and strokes can be sometimes associated with dementia. Chronic syphilis, chronic HIV can also sometimes develop the symptoms of dementia. Many medications namely those used for the control of bladder urgency and incontinence can also cause cognitive impairment. Psychiatric and neurological medications are also responsible for cognitive impairment. If the medical expert finds these medication problems in the patient he sturdily recommends halting the usage of these drugs. In older individuals that usually suffer from depression also develop the problems associated with memory and concentration loss and such a condition can be specified as pseudodementia. Excessive use of alcohol and illegal drugs can be sometimes responsible for the symptoms of dementia. Thyroid dysfunction, thiamine deficiency and steroid disorders can also lead to cognitive impairment. Blood clots outside the brain region can also cause symptoms of dementia. Carbon monoxide poisoning leads to encephalopathy that develops symptoms of dementia. Sometimes heavy metal poisoning is also considered responsible for dementia.

Since a number of disorders are often confused with Alzheimer's disease a comprehensive clinical evaluation is very important for the accurate diagnosis of the disease. Three procedures are generally followed while diagnosing the disorder and these are a complete medical workup, neurological examination and psychiatric evaluation. These evaluations usually continue for at least an hour. In the United States healthcare system a combined help of neurologists, psychiatrics and geriatrics is taken. Even a single physician can also perform the evaluation well. The American Academy of Neurology has given some guidelines that include brain imaging while working with the patients of dementia. These imaging techniques comprise non-contrast CT scan or MRI scan. SPECT, fMRI, PET can also be of help but are not used. In areas outside the United States brain imaging is considered an important part while diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. The search for an efficient blood test for the perfect diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is still going on.

Prognosis

Alzheimer's disease is customarily a progressive disorder that reaches its peak within the interval of 8-15 years. The patients generally do not die with the disorder alone but they also suffer from a number of others problems also like they feel difficulty in swallowing, walking and are at an elevated risk of getting infected with pneumonia. In the later courses of the disease strongly family assistance is required. A patient of Alzheimer's disease is however unable to solve numerical problems but can feel interest in reading a magazine. Playing of piano may be too difficult for the patient as he commits many mistakes but the ability of singing and listening to music remains unaffected. Playing chess may be too difficult for the patient but he or she may feel pleasure while playing tennis.

Treatment

The treatment of Alzheimer's disease can be placed under medication based and non-medication based categories. FDA has classified two groups of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of this disease and these are cholinesterase inhibitors and partial glutamate antagonists. But none of the drugs can perfectly slowdown the rate of progression of Alzheimer's disease. In patients suffering from this disorder the process of formation of the brain neurotransmitter especially the acetylcholine stops and research has indicated that this chemical plays a crucial role in memory formation. The cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) participate in blocking the breakdown of this neurotransmitter and therefore, help in memory formation. FDA has approved four cholinesterase inhibitors namely donepezil hydrochloride, rivastigmine, galantamine and tacrine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease but only first three are used by the medical experts as the fourth one is risky and causes severe side effects. Studies have clearly indicated that these drugs slowdown the rate of disease progression only for about 6-12 months and then the disease starts advancing again.

FDA has approved the use of rivastigmine and galantamine for the treatment of mild and moderate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease but donepezil can be used for the treatment of mild, moderate and severe symptoms. The exact reason why these two drugs are not used against the severe symptoms of the disease is not clear. The major side effects of ChIEs are associated with the gastrointestinal system and they include nausea, cramping, diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms can be controlled by changing the timing of medication as well as intake of small amount of food and about 75-90% of the patients bear the potential of tolerating the therapeutic doses of cholinesterase inhibitors. Glutamate is the chief excitatory neurotransmitter of brain. One hypothesis suggests that excessive secretion of glutamate is harmful for brain as it damages nerve cells. Memantine is a drug that slows down the rate of activation of nerve cells by glutamate and is therefore, reducing the progression of this disorder. This drug can be used for treating both mild and severe disease. The patient recovers faster if a dose of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine are given together.

Non-medication based treatments include orientation of the patient towards social activities like singing, dancing, walking etc. Cognitive rehabilitation may be helpful in this regard. The chief psychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease are irritation, depression, hallucinations, anxiety and sleep disorders. Standard psychiatric drugs are although used for the treatment of these symptoms but none of the drugs have been approved by the FDA. These symptoms become as intense as disease advances that treatment with medication becomes necessary. Agitation becomes very much severe in the later stages of the disease. Agitation is controlled by a number of agents for example, beta-blockers, anxiolytics, antipsychotics and mood stabilizing anticonvulsants. Newer antipsychotic drugs have taken the place of the older drugs and are giving fruitful results for example, risperidone, clozapine and olanzapine.

Depression is another very common symptom of Alzheimer's disease and the patients can be treated with antidepressants namely sertraline and citalopram. Anxiety in this disorder can be treated with benzodiazepines for example, diazepam. Non-benzodiazepines anxiolytics like buspirone are generally preferred for the treatment. Insomnia is another symptom that can crop up in patients of Alzheimer's disease at any part of their life. Trazodone is a promising drug used for overcoming this symptom. A number of clinical research trials have been carried with increasing or decreasing the amount of Aβ1-42 but no successful result has been achieved.

Caring for the caregiver is an essential aspect while dealing with the patient of Alzheimer's disease. Caregiving is a distressing experience and proper education of the caregiver is essential. The 3Rs namely repeat, reassure and redirect can help a caregiver in reducing the troublesome behavior as well as limiting the use of medication in the patients. The short-term training programs can help a caregiver to increase his or her confidence while dealing with the patients. Alzheimer's disease is a curse and it makes the condition of a person worse and death is the ultimate fate in later stages. Love, care and support can however, help the patient to enjoy life.

Navodita Maurice

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Light Therapy For Alzheimer's

Can light therapy or sundowing as it is sometimes called help the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. Thousands of people die every year from this degenerating disease. Although research is been carried out daily, scientists are still no closer to
finding a cure.

The light therapy is mainly used in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease. It is well known for anybody who has been involved with a Alzheimer's patient that they are at their best early in the mornings. This is because as the disease progresses it affects the part of the brain that controls the circadian rhythms.What the circadian rhythm does is it controls our body clock and the sleep-wake cycle in our brain.

You will find that with an Alzheimer's patient they start to become very agitated in the late afternoon and evening. This is because there eyes become affected, and as the daylight starts to disappear they find it harder to focus on things. They even find it hard too settle during the night often wandering around the house. This is called sundowning.

The Alzheimer's light is a helmet which has infrared lights attached to it and it fits onto the head. Scientist first carried out research with this helmet on mice, results proved that it showed great improvement in their learning ability. The mice also showed signs or less agitation at night time.

The helmet was then tested on men and women aged between sixty and seventy years old. The trial was carried out for a period of twelve weeks. Half the people where given one hour of exposure to bright natural light each morning. The rest where exposed to low light each day. Tests proved that the patients who where given the bright natural light, showed signs of not being as agitated during the day and settling in bed on a night a lot longer than normal.

Tests also proved that the Alzheimer's light treatment has slowed down the deterioration of the nerve cells in the brain. Which means that an Alzheimer's patient has been able to live a lot longer in their own home.

Research is still being carried out on the light therapy at the moment. Although this is not a cure for alzheimer's disease, if this treatment can give an Alzheimer's patient a better way of light then that has got to be a positive thing.

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A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer's Caregiver - A Book Review

Reality for a person without Alzheimer's disease is the here and now - what is affecting our lives in the present. For one with Alzheimer's disease (AD), it may be rooted in the past or even distant past, because those are the only memories the person can retrieve. As stated in Dr. Daniel C. Potts and Ellen Woodward Potts' book, A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer's Caregiver, "people with AD lose their ability to remember first the recent past, and then the past in general." When an individual asks a question repeatedly, it is because they do not remember the answer that you just gave to them. "Arguing and Correction" is one of the early chapters of part two of the book, which gives practical advice on how to deal with some of the many personality changes that a loved one will go through with AD.

This book is an excellent resource for those who offer caregiving to one with Alzheimer's, and would even be a good source of information for someone who provides only occasional direct caregiving, to understand what both the patient and the caregiver are dealing with. It can indeed be a challenging situation when one with AD wanders away from the home and does not have a GPS bracelet, or experiences "sundowning," in which he or she becomes confused and agitated near the end of each day.

Part one of A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer's Caregiver describes how Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed and the stages of the disease, addresses caregiving, and offers general tips with communication for one with AD. The short chapters identify some common issues that a caregiver will face, including:
• The desire of the individual to "go home" and the caregiver cannot help him or her find this place.
• False accusations made to the caregiver
• Hallucinations, altered perceptions and fears
• Inappropriate public behaviors
• Clothing, dressing and bathroom concerns
• How to take away driving privileges if necessary
• Eating, sleeping, sundowning, wandering and violence on behalf of the one with AD
• Walking and balance and adapting living spaces to accommodate the patient
• Dealing with severe weather, depression and telling the individual about their diagnosis
• Realistic expectations, social isolation, dealing with family and art therapies

The quick reference section in part two of the guide gives the reader a "how to" list for each of the issues with bulleted points. At the back of the book are some helpful resources for caregivers to turn to for more information. In all of the circumstances described, the authors encourage the caregiver to put himself or herself in the AD sufferer's point of reference and deal with them in an accommodating way, and with love and respect.

A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer's Caregiver is written with a very loving approach, from the perspective of Dr. Potts, a neurologist, and his wife, Ellen Potts, a healthcare management specialist, who between them had eight family members diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The personal stories add a good dimension to the book, as the writers have "been there, done that." To order the book, go to http://alzpocketguide.com. Alzheimer's disease affects 5.3 million Americans and is the "defining disease of the baby boomers" according to the Alzheimer's Association. For a free weekly newsletter that addresses Alzheimer's, dementia, caregiving and aging itself, go to http://www.issueswithalzheimers.com to register.

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