Alzheimer Archives - Health Beat

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Jacob Lobosco

Approximately 5.8 million Americans experience Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dementia is a general term that refers to memory loss; Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for up to 80% of cases.

The earliest signs of Alzheimer’s involve difficulty retaining new information, but can also involve vision or language-related problems. These symptoms gradually transition into more severe problems such as worsening confusion and memory loss, changes in mood and behavior, and difficulty speaking and swallowing. These problems are likely to be less obvious to the person experiencing them than to others who interact with them regularly.

Alzheimer’s is believed by medical experts to be caused by buildups of proteins such as amyloid, which forms plaque around brain cells, and tau, which forms tangles within brain cells. These buildups lead to lower levels of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, which send signals between brain cells. Other factors that increase a person’s likelihood of experiencing Alzheimer’s include:

Age
Family history
Down’s syndrome
Head trauma
Cardiovascular disease
Untreated depression

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s; symptoms can only be managed as they progress. Some ways that caregivers can help a person with Alzheimer’s cope with their symptoms include:

Helping them maintain a regular daily routine
Reassuring them and acknowledging their feelings
Avoiding showing frustration or anger with them
Avoiding arguments with them
Making sure they have a safe space to walk
Helping them stay hydrated and fed throughout the day

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s, you can receive treatment from a neurologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

World Alzheimer’s Month

Posted on September 21, 2022 by Jacob Lobosco

This September, Flushing Hospital Medical Center is raising awareness about the signs, symptoms, and causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia as part of the World Alzheimer’s Month campaign. Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

A person with Alzheimer’s gradually loses their cognitive abilities, including memory recollection and behavioral regulation. In the later stages of the disease, a person can even lose their motor functions, leaving them unable to perform basic daily tasks such as bathing independently.

People can also suffer from multiple forms of dementia at once. This is referred to as “mixed” dementia and often occurs as a combination of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.

Memory problems are one of the main early signs of Alzheimer’s, though they may be difficult to distinguish from similar symptoms of mild cognitive impairment. People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may also have problems with word-finding, vision, reasoning, and finding their way around familiar places. These problems may appear or worsen as the disease progresses.

A mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors are believed to influence the development of Alzheimer’s; however, specific causes of the disease are unknown. As Alzheimer’s progresses, abnormal amyloid and tau proteins spread throughout the brain as changes in its structure and functions occur. There’s no clear way to prevent this spread, though early research indicates that regular activity and good heart health may help.

If you or a loved one are displaying potential signs of Alzheimer’s disease, you can schedule an appointment with a doctor at Flushing Hospital’s Ambulatory Care Center to receive a diagnosis or treatment by calling (718) 670-5486.

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Posted on June 2, 2021 by Flushing Hospital

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month which gives us the chance to make the public aware of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease being very important health issues.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s have profound effects on many people. There are an estimated 5 million people with the disease and 15 million people who are caring for them. It is said to be the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

It has been said that Alzheimer’s is the only disease that can lead to death that cannot be slowed down, cured, or prevented. It acts by slowly killing brain cells which affect all of our ability to function normally.

Brain exercises may help mental functionality in areas of memory, focus, concentration, and understanding.

Some suggested ways to keep our brains healthy are:

Getting enough sleep
Staying physically active
Eating properly
Not smoking
Challenging your mind with social interaction
Taking classes
Being aware of challenges that could lead to depression

If you would like to schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital, please call 718-670-5486.