The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease increases every year. Depending on individual characteristics, on living conditions and on timely access to a doctor, this disease develops at different rates. Unfortunately, however, it invariably leads to serious damage and death. Who is at risk?
Medical experts say that women are more susceptible to the development of a pathological condition in old age. Perhaps this is due to some features of the female psyche. It has been proven that people who have faced a depressive state during their life, with problems in the emotional sphere, are more likely to fall ill with this degenerative disorder.
At risk are people aged 60-65 years. Most often, it is during this period that the disease begins to clearly express its symptoms. However, it is noted that signs of Alzheimer's disease can appear at an earlier age, from about 40 years old. If a person falls ill after 80 years, then this form of pathology is characterized by rapid development and practically does not lend itself to any correction.
The emergence and development of such a painful condition is influenced by some physiological diseases, especially if they have not been treated in any way during their life. The risk group includes people with problems with the cardiovascular system, for example, with a tendency to hypertension or diagnosed with atherosclerosis. Any somatic pathology present in a person's history and affecting the state and functioning of the brain can affect the formation of Alzheimer's disease.
In the overwhelming majority of cases, this pathology affects people for whom mental work during their life did not come first. This deviation is very typical for people with little education. At the same time, if a person in old age deliberately excludes various load on the brain - stops reading books, solving crossword puzzles, refuses to acquire any new skills, stops counting in the mind, and so on - then such a lifestyle gradually causes a conditional "atrophy" of the brain and can lead to symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
An important role in the development of the condition is played by heredity and genetic characteristics. People whose relatives were previously diagnosed with a similar diagnosis are automatically at risk. In addition, doctors note that mutations affecting some genes can lead to the formation of Alzheimer's disease.
If a person has experienced any cognitive impairment throughout his life, this puts him at risk for the development of degenerative disorder in old age. First of all, this concerns problems with memory, with the formation of thoughts that could arise due to various reasons, ranging from individual characteristics and ending with improper diet or taking medications.
Other reasons due to which a person may be at risk
- Among the diseases that create a fertile ground for Alzheimer's disease are thyroid disorders, hormonal problems, and diabetes mellitus. Overweight people are also at risk.
- Smoking, the use of psychotropic substances, irregular intake of drugs that affect brain cells, and alcohol addiction are all factors that increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Unfavorable ecological situation. Constant contact with poisons and toxins, for example, due to unfortunate living conditions or in the context of "harmful" work, can lead to illness. In particular, contact with aluminum and mercury is especially dangerous.
- With a diagnosis such as Down's syndrome, the risk of Alzheimer's disease increases many times. Moreover, usually in such people, the disease is diagnosed already at the age of 35-45 years.
- People with agitation, delusional ideas, anxiety disorders are at risk.
