ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS

 

As September is ‘World Alzheimer's Month’ we decided it would be appropriate to re-post our original blog on Alzheimer’s as it is a disease which has many myths and misconceptions associated with it. Like anything, knowledge is power so it behooves us to learn the facts.

Myths:

• Alzheimer’s is just a normal part of the aging process; if all of us lived to be 90 or 100 years old, would we all eventually get it.
• Only old people get Alzheimer’s.
• If someone in your family has dementia then you’ll get it too.
• There is nothing you can do once you’re diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Facts:

• Dementia is NOT caused by exposure to aluminum, aspartame, flu shots or tooth filings.
• A diet like the Mediterranean diet seems to have a protective effect and a diet that has a lot of saturated fat and sugar seems to place you at greater risk.  Diets low in saturated fat and simple carbohydrates might be protective against Alzheimer's disease and improve brain health.
• People who eat baked or broiled fish every week may reduce their risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
• Survivors of cancer, particularly non-skin cancers, appear to have a reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease.
• Right now, over 500,000 Canadians have Alzheimer's disease or other dementia.

Although ageing can lead to some mild memory loss, we all get to the store and forget what we went there to buy, or forget where we left the car keys, but ‘senility’ or ‘dementia’ is NOT a normal part of ageing.  

Recognising the symptoms and reporting them to our physician can help lead to early diagnosis and treatment.  A recent Canadian study found that almost half of the patients recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s lived with the symptoms for more than a year before they reported them, sadly this led to delayed treatment and support.

10 Warning Signs of Dementia:

• Memory loss that affects normal daily activities.
• Disorientation to person, place or time.
• Altered mood or behaviour.
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
• Impaired judgment.
• Personality changes.
• Challenges with language.
• Loss of initiative – loss of interest in activities.
• Difficulties with abstract thinking.
• Putting things in inappropriate places (e.g. Cell Phone in the Microwave).

Falls in older adults who are otherwise physically and cognitively healthy might also be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, according to research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011  (July 17, 2011 | Paris, France).  

"The results of our study indicate the importance of understanding not only the cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease, but also the motor changes that appear to come before the cognitive changes.  I study falls in older adults, and we know that the fall rate among older adults who have Alzheimer's disease is much higher than in adults who do not" said Dr. Susan Stark, PhD, from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis:

Other medical conditions can have symptoms similar to dementia and many are treatable; these include vitamin and thyroid deficiencies, infections, constipation, brain tumours, depression, drug interactions or substance abuse.

It is particularly important to identify the type of dementia. Medications are already available to treat some people with Alzheimer's disease, and some people with Lewy body dementia, but those drugs are ineffective in the treatment of Pick's disease (another form of dementia), and may actually worsen its symptoms.

While there have been significant advances in diagnostic testing methods for Alzheimer’s that use brain scans and spinal taps that can detect specific biomarkers of the disease even in its pre-clinical stage, but currently there is still no single or definite test for Alzheimer's, it is diagnosed through a comprehensive assessment by a qualified physician. Diagnosis will include reviewing your complete medical history, mental function assessment, a neurological exam and blood tests (to rule out and possible treat other causes of dementia-like symptoms). If you, or someone you love, have concerns about memory loss or other possible symptoms of dementia, it is important to be evaluated by a physician – the sooner, the better.

Reducing the prevalence of lifestyle-based risk factors, including smoking and physical inactivity, by 25% could potentially prevent up to 3 million cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide new research suggests. Presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011 and simultaneously published online July 19 in Lancet Neurology, the study suggests, but doesn't prove, that up to 50% of AD cases are potentially attributable to 7 preventable risk factors. These include smoking, physical inactivity, midlife obesity, midlife hypertension, depression, diabetes, and cognitive inactivity.

Experiencing some memory loss does NOT mean you have dementia; talk to your doctor if you have any concerns and remember ‘Knowledge Is Power’ so know the facts.

Excerpts from:

http://www.alz.org/

http://www.alzheimer.ca/

http://www.medscape.com/

NEVER LEAVE PETS UNATTENDED IN YOUR VEHICLE IN WARM WEATHER!

 

Every year dogs suffer and die when their guardians make the mistake of leaving them in a parked car, even ‘just for a minute’.  On a 25° C (78° F) day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 38-48° C (100-120° F) degrees in just 5 minutes, and on a 30° C (90° F) degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 70° C (160° F) degrees in less than 10 minutes.  

 

Parked Cars Are Deathtraps for Dogs!  Animals can sustain brain damage or even die from heatstroke in just 15 minutes.  Beating the heat is extra tough for dogs because they can only cool themselves down by panting and by sweating through their paw pads.

Watch for heatstroke symptoms such as: Restlessness, excessive thirst, thick saliva, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, rapid heartbeat, fever, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and lack of coordination.  If a dog shows any of these symptoms, get him or her out of the heat, preferably into an air-conditioned vehicle, and then to a veterinarian immediately.

If you are unable to transport the dog yourself, take him or her into an air-conditioned building if possible and call the BC SPCA Call Centre: 1-855-6BC-SPCA (1-855-622-7722); Tell them it is an emergency! 

Avoid Dehydration in the hot weather

Let’s all drink plenty of water this weekend so we don’t get dehydrated.  The Lower Mainland is blessed with gorgeous sunny days this Canada Day long weekend, but as the temperatures reach 30 degrees Celsius, we can easily become dehydrated. For many people, especially seniors, hot weather can be very dangerous and even deadly.  Hot weather can lead to body water loss, dehydration and heat stroke and more than 300 people die each year from heat-related illnesses.  

Studies show senior citizens may not drink sufficient fluids. They also may be taking medications, such as diuretics for high blood pressure, which cause additional fluid loss. A recent study of healthy retirees found 8% had moderate dehydration and 33% had chronic, mild dehydration.

Here’s a few pointers to stay safe in this unusually warm weather:

Keep Hydrated: The most important thing for seniors to do during hot weather is to keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water but avoid diet sodas, coffee, tea and alcohol as these dehydrate the body. Water is a great fluid replacer. Drink cool water because it’s absorbed faster and you’ll usually drink more of it because it tastes better; try drinking fruit juice diluted with plain water or sparkling water for a refreshing lift. Drinks with electrolytes are an excellent option to keep our bodies strong and hydrated. 

Eating water-rich foods such as watermelon, cantaloupe and grapes also supply valuable extra fluids.  Homemade fruit slushies are also good for hydration (avoid sugar-filled commercially-prepared slushies like the ones you can find at 7-11). Try to eat as normally as you can, but eat more cold foods like salads and fruits. *Seniors who are on fluid restrictions or have epilepsy, heart, kidney or liver disease or have problems with fluid retention, should consult their physician before increasing their fluid intake.

Slow Down: Limit your strenuous activities and reschedule them when the weather is cooler.  If you must do strenuous activities, do them early in the morning before 7:00 am.  To prevent dehydration during prolonged physical activity when it is hot, consume fluids regularly during the activity and drink several glasses of water after the physical activity. 

Stay Cool:   Cooling showers and baths can help keep your temperature down but avoid taking a cool shower immediately after coming in from the hot weather as it can result in hypothermia, especially for older adults. Splash your face and the back of your neck with cool water several times a day. Wear a loose, damp cotton cloth or scarf on the back of your neck and keep refreshing it in cold water throughout the day. 

Be aware of the symptoms of heat-related illness:

Heat Stroke (aka ‘sun stroke’) is an extremely serious, life-threatening situation. Symptoms to watch for include hot body temperature, dry or hot red skin, changes in consciousness, and vomiting. If you or someone you are caring for is suffering Heat Stroke, you must immediately cool the body. Immerse the over-heated person in a cool bath (water should be cool to the touch, not freezing cold), or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it.  Watch for signs of breathing difficulties. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can.  If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink and CALL 9-1-1 immediately. 

Heat Exhaustion is caused by doing strenuous exercise or physical labour in the hot weather.  The person's face will be pale or flushed with heavy sweating and possibly nausea and dizziness. If someone you know is exhausted, has a headache or is exhibiting these signs, move them to a cool place and call 9-1-1.   Apply cool, wet cloths, fan the person and give them small amounts of cool water to drink slowly.

Heat Cramps are muscular cramps in the legs or abdomen that signal the body has lost electrolytes and fluids due to exposure to high heat and humidity.  Drink an electrolyte-enhanced drink like Gatorade or Powerade, or you can make your own.  Mix together in a tall glass: 2 squeezed Lemon halves, 2 squeezed Orange halves, a squirt of Honey, 4 shakes of Salt, and then fill the rest of the glass with cool water and enjoy. Other recipes can be found at http://tinyurl.com/8yqxehx  

References:

http://LSUAgCenter.com 

http://voices.yahoo.com/hot-weather

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating