Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive disorder that destroys brain cells. It causes memory loss and problems with thinking, judgment and communication.
Scientists don’t know what causes Alzheimer’s, but age, personal health and family history are believed to be risk factors. They also think abnormal protein deposits called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles may play a role.
That cause alzheimer
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that causes changes in the brain. These changes make it harder for a person to think and remember. They also cause changes in behavior, mood and personality. It can be a frightening condition that makes it hard for a family to cope with.
It can occur in people of all ages, though it’s more common in those over 65. There are many factors that can increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s, and some can be changed.
Age is the most important factor that increases your risk of Alzheimer’s, but it’s not the only one. Other conditions, such as high cholesterol and diabetes, may also raise your risk.
Genetics are a huge part of Alzheimer’s disease, and researchers have found several genes that increase the risk. The APOE e4 gene, for example, increases your risk of getting the disease if you inherit a copy of it from a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s.
But some people with a risk gene never get the disease. It’s not clear why some people don’t develop Alzheimer’s, while others do.
Another factor that may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s is head injury, such as a stroke. Research suggests that a head injury can cause a build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain, which is a main symptom of Alzheimer’s.
Other factors that increase your risk of Alzheimer’s include having a genetic abnormality, such as Down syndrome, or having other types of genetic disorders. These are rare, but they can make you more likely to develop Alzheimer’s.
In addition, there are a number of other conditions that affect how fast your brain can clear out excess protein. For example, a blood vessel or blood flow problem can slow the clearance of amyloid from your brain.
The most common way that Alzheimer’s can develop is from a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors. For example, people who are overweight or obese have a higher risk of developing the disease.
Other things that can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s include having diabetes or high blood pressure, and having other heart or vascular problems, such as a stroke or high cholesterol levels. Fortunately, some of these factors can be improved by making healthy choices and following your doctor’s recommendations.
Signs of alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that causes memory loss, changes in personality and gradual loss of independence. It can’t be cured, but treatments can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life for those affected and their loved ones.
The first sign that a person may have Alzheimer’s is an ongoing pattern of forgetting things. This might start off as minor problems, such as forgetting where the grocery store is or the names of family and friends. However, as the disease progresses, it can lead to serious memory loss and forgetfulness that affects daily activities.
Other signs that a person is developing Alzheimer’s include trouble with reasoning and decision-making. They also might have difficulty completing tasks that take time to complete, such as making a meal or playing a game of cards.
In addition to these cognitive symptoms, people with Alzheimer’s can become confused or disoriented and may lose track of where they are in space. They might even get lost on their own street. They might become extremely fearful of losing their way or becoming separated from their caregivers.
Having delusions (imagining things that aren’t true) or hallucinations (having visions of different places or objects), especially when it’s not something they know about, is a common symptom of Alzheimer’s. They might also have trouble recognizing their own faces or voices or be very restless or agitated.
These behavior changes aren’t normal for an older person and should be reported to a doctor. They can be very distressing and challenging for the person with Alzheimer’s as well as their family members.
People who have a family history of dementia are at a higher risk of developing the condition themselves. They can have genetic variations that cause the disease to develop earlier in their lives.
Some other risk factors include being female, having a history of head injury and high blood pressure. If you have any of these factors, ask your healthcare provider or a genetic counselor to discuss them with you.
Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed with a medical exam and tests that measure certain proteins in the blood. These can reveal if a person has amyloid plaques or tau tangles in their brains. These deposits are thought to damage brain cells, disrupting communication and causing symptoms of Alzheimer’s. They can also clump together to form amyloid plaques, which are larger deposits that can cause severe memory and thinking problems.
Treatment for alzheimer’s disease
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, but treatments may help to relieve the symptoms and improve quality of life. These include medications and non-drug options for behavior changes.
Alzheimer’s is caused by the death of nerve cells in your brain. This happens slowly, and causes memory loss, confusion and other signs of the disease. Experts don’t know what triggers the death of these brain cells, but they think it might be a buildup of 2 proteins in your brain.
The proteins are called beta-amyloid and tau, and they build up to form plaques and tangles. These protein buildups damage nerve cells and kill them. They are found in most people as they age, but those with Alzheimer’s have many more than others.
Among the most common treatments for Alzheimer’s is donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), and rivastigmine (Exelon). They can be taken as tablets that work right away, in capsules that dissolve in your mouth, or in liquid forms.
These drugs prevent the breakdown of a chemical in your brain that is important for learning and memory. They may slow how quickly your symptoms get worse for about half of people who take them. They also work to ease the symptoms of thinking problems, confusion and judgment problems.
They can also help to reduce depression, agitation and aggression. These drugs are used for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Another medication approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s is aducanumab (Aduhelm). It is a monoclonal antibody that reduces the beta-amyloid buildup in your brain, and can also help you remember better.
Aduhelm is the first infusion treatment that the FDA has approved for Alzheimer’s disease. It works by blocking the action of an enzyme that destroys acetylcholine, a brain chemical that helps nerve cells communicate.
It is not yet clear how effective this medication will be for treating Alzheimer’s. But it is the first drug to be approved for the disease in more than 20 years.
Other treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are anti-psychotic medicines that control mood and behaviour, such as clozapine (Clozaril), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and risperidone (Risperdal). These drugs can help to control agitation, aggression and sleeplessness, which often happen along with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
How to prevent alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease isn’t curable, but some lifestyle factors can reduce the risk. These include getting regular exercise, eating healthy, staying socially active and managing health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes.
The brain is made up of 100 billion nerve cells, which work together to help us think, learn and remember things. In Alzheimer’s, communication between nerve cells is disrupted and they die off slowly over time.
These dead cells are replaced by abnormal proteins called plaques and tangles. These clumps are made from a protein called beta-amyloid and twisted fibers of another protein, tau. The tangles and plaques cause Alzheimer’s symptoms because they block important chemicals that help the brain send signals between nerve cells.
It’s not clear why these proteins are produced, but scientists believe that the buildup is caused by a combination of several factors. These factors may include age, changes in the brain, genetics, and exposure to certain substances or illnesses.
For example, people who have a history of stroke, or who have suffered repeated head trauma, are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Also, those who are exposed to toxic metals or other environmental contaminants are at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
In addition to these risk factors, a person’s age is the biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s usually begins between the ages of 30 and 65, while late-onset Alzheimer’s usually starts after a person’s mid-60s.
Other risk factors for Alzheimer’s include being overweight or obese, having a family history of dementia, and smoking. These can all be reduced by following a diet that’s low in saturated fat and sugar, and by exercising regularly.
Studies suggest that a diet that is high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and B12, can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Other good choices include fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts and whole grains.
You can also eat foods that are low in salt and sugar, and avoid processed meats. You should also avoid alcohol and tobacco products, which can increase your risk of cancer and heart disease.
These are the top 5 best prescription weight loss medications on the market. These weight loss meds actually work and I’ve personally used them on many patients with success.
I’ve been helping people lose weight for a long time and over the years I’ve been able to test many different weight loss medications. I’ve found that while there are many prescription weight loss medications available, only a handful actually work very well.
In this video, I will walk you through the top 5 best prescription weight loss medications available on the market, which ones I prefer to use, what you can expect while using them, how they work, and more.
Before you jump in, make sure you understand that while prescription weight loss medications can be very effective, you should never just use them by themselves. If you are serious about weight loss you should combine these weight loss medications with other changes such as adjusting your diet, reducing your stress, exercising daily, and balancing your other hormones.
If your plan is to jump on one of these medications and lose a bunch of weight, it’s probably not going to happen!
But these medications can be very effective if used correctly and if combined with a healthy lifestyle.
The top 5 best prescription medications for weight loss include:
#1. Saxenda/Victoza
Saxenda is FDA approved for weight loss and is probably the single most effective medication on this list.
#2. Invokana/Farxiga
Invokana and Farxiga are not FDA approved for weight loss but they can help. They work by helping your body eliminate or pee out sugar from your kidneys.
#3. Naltrexone
Naltrexone is a part of one FDA approved weight loss medication known as Contrave. Naltrexone is not as effective as the others but it is very safe.
#4. Metformin
Metformin is commonly used to treat diabetes but it does have some weight loss benefits. Don’t expect much from metformin though because many people are already taking it.
#5. Phentermine
Phentermine helps with weight loss by reducing your appetite and increasing up your metabolism. It only works if it is used correctly, however, so don’t just jump on it without understanding how to use it.
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Disclaimer:
Dr. Westin Childs received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic medicine in 2013. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Childs is no longer practicing medicine and does not hold an active medical license so he can focus on helping people through videos, blog posts, research, and supplement formulation. To read more about why he is no longer licensed please see this page: /
This video is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, treatment, diagnosis, prescription, or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Childs and you. You should not make any changes to your medications or health regimens without first consulting a physician. If you have any questions please consult with your current primary care provider. Restart Medical LLC and Dr. Westin Childs are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or product you obtain through this website or video.
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