Statistics can be dry and boring -
or frightening. Or we can take them to heart and do something to change the outcome of scary
predictions. Here's an example: Will you get Alzheimer's
disease? Can you avoid it?
Health financing and facilities,
worldwide, are soon going to be in big trouble. Today it was
reported in the Miami Herald that the AIDS epidemic - they referred to it as
endemic - was not only slowing or getting under control, but increasing rapidly. The worst part is that nothing can be done about most of it;
too many "healthy" people are walking time bombs, infected and
unknowingly spreading the disease. Drugs which only treat the symptoms and delay the
eventual decline and death are in short supply and not tolerated by many, and
sufficient educational resources aren't available, nor would cultural mores and
habits (as well as the low income) in many parts of the world allow for
preventative action, information and products.
Think otherwise? Even though
we realize a major source of contagion in the USA is based in use of shared needles
by illegal drug users, distribution to addicts of free single-use disposable
syringes is either illegal or non-funded in almost every part of the
USA. I'm not even going to get into the subject of the rampant spread
of AIDS in men's prisons.
It's for sure, in any case, that
more and more of the world's health resources will have to be dedicated to this
scourge.
The world community is getting
older, too. As the birth rate decreases, and younger people die from AIDS,
the average age of the population is increasing. Worse, a large percentage of these older
folk will be disabled from Alzheimer's disease, requiring physical and medical
care beyond the resources now available. Estimates from many sources are
that 20 to 25% (up to one quarter) of all those over 80 will have Alzheimer's.
(Keep in mind that many of the rest will have other disabling conditions.)
Mediatopia
on Alzheimer's states:
"ADRD is a progressive chronic degenerating disease
- as well as a problem for the family - that afflicts an estimated 4 to 5 million Americans, the
fourth leading cause of death among U.S. adults, including approximately 10 percent of those aged 65 and over, 18.7% in the elderly aged 75 to 84, and 47.7% in those over 85 years of age."
They quote Franklin T. Williams, Director of the National Institute on Aging,
"Alzheimer's disease is by far the most threatening
epidemic that we have in our nation."
This horrid infirmity takes an unbelievable
toll on friends and family, and further robs medical resources from those,
young and old, who could otherwise be cured or at least improved by
adequate attention.
It's a terrible experience for the patient, too, because for months or years,
they are aware of their confusion, forgetfulness and loss of ability, and become
increasingly angry and frustrated before they sink into insensibility.
Doctors are only now unraveling the
progress of the disease, and some of the causes. Ways to possibly avoid or delay
its onset, however, have been pretty well documented. I expect that the
final word on these "remedies" will be that if you wait until old age
or senility sets in, it may be too late to fix the problem. Start now:
Recent studies suggest strongly that a
diet rich in leafy green vegetables (preferably dark green), nuts and other
foods rich in antioxidants, as well as increased levels of Vitamin E and
Vitamin C intake and folate, a B vitamin, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
to an amazing extent. But don't just pop an C, B and C and think that
will do it. No, you also have to eat the real thing. Some
experts include whole grains and vegetable oils (make it olive oil, please) as well. Here's a Third Age report, What to Eat for a Strong Mind,
by Lindsey Tanner. Here's another snippet, about the famous
"Nuns
Study".
While many Doctors and health
experts warn against eating too much fruit (fruit converts quickly into
sugar, and is higher in calories, not a good thing for many people), never
the less, there are important antioxidants in some fruits that are believed to prevent or
delay onset of Alzheimer's, as well as other health problems. See Let Them
Eat Blueberries.
Wear your seat belt and make
everyone else in your vehicle does. If engaging in contact sports,
skiing, skateboarding or on a scooter, bicycle or motorcycle, or any other
activity where you could hit your head, wear a helmet. See report from
National Institute of Health: New Study Links Head Injury...
Unless there's a reason why you
shouldn't, consider taking daily aspirin or ibuprofen. Those with
stomach problems or heartburn would be better off with an enteric coated
aspirin, and one should be aware that drinking insufficient water while
taking these drugs may put an overload on the kidneys.
Since aspirin cannot be taken with some drugs,
such as blood thinners, or by persons with certain medical problems or
histories, and could even be fatal, checking with your doctor first is a very good idea.
Reason
behind this suggestion? There's some evidence that persons who have
taken NAIDs for years for arthritis or other conditions have a much lower
rate of Alzheimer's disease, even among identical twins. See CBS'
report from Reuters, Take
Two and Stop Alzheimer's?
Use
It or Lose It?Studies suggest that this not only applies to
muscular strength, bone mass, sexual potency and utilizing higher math, for
instance, but brain activity in general. See the report on the link
above, that suggests that mentally
stimulating activities may reduce Alzheimer's risk. I personally
try to learn something new and very difficult at least once or twice a year
- a new computer language or technique, a difficult piece of classical
music or jazz on the piano, a piece of a scientific field I hadn't studied
before or whatever. I believe this not only helps protect my mental
ability, but I prove to myself that despite my horrible absent-mindedness
for years and years, I still am a few steps away from senility.
Probably. See
Ten
Warning Signs for Alzheimer's. (Unfortunately I qualify for
Item #7 most of the time, Items #3 and #4 on occasion, and probably all 10
for the first half hour every morning, but I'm not too worried yet, since
I've been this way since childhood.)
The above three examples of mental stimulation probably don't sound like fun
to you (they are to me, but I'm admittedly weird), so pick out some fun
things that you will enjoy learning, and get on it! No matter what
your age. It will be good for you emotionally and physically.
What are your thoughtsand experiences on this subject?
