Here are 11 things you need to know about Alzheimer’s.
1. It’s the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
When we think of leading causes of death, diabetes and heart disease come to mind. But Alzheimer’s has claimed its place on the list of the nation’s top deadly diseases. Alzheimer’s ranks just behind stroke and accidents, making it the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, it ranks ahead of diabetes-killing almost 10,000 more people a year.
2. It’s the number-one cause of dementia in older adults.
Dementia affects cognitive functioning-causing loss of memory and an inability to reason efficiently. Consequently, it can make life on a daily basis tough.
Though different things can cause dementia, Alzheimer’s plays the leading role when it comes common causes of dementia in older adults. And the National Institute on Aging says that some can even develop more than one type of dementia -- like Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia together.
3. Many people don’t know they have it.
The most obvious reason for not knowing that you have Alzheimer’s would be that the disease affects memory. However, research shows another concerning reason as to why patients don’t know that they have this disease.
According to Time magazine, surveys shows that many people were never told they had it. The study, spearheaded by the Alzheimer’s Association, examined the Medicare claims of 16,000 patients over a two-year period. Participants were asked if physicians had disclosed an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. When answers were analyzed in comparison to the diagnostic codes used by physicians, only 45 percent reported being told about the disease by doctors.
However, when it comes to other diseases, patients are regularly informed. For example, the Alzheimer’s Association reports that over 90 percent of people diagnosed with the four most common types of cancer are aware of their diagnosis.
4. It’s more predominant in women than men.
Alzheimer’s is more common in women than men. In fact, the Alzheimer’s Association says that nearly two-thirds of Americans affected by the disease are female.
Many people assume that this is because women live longer than men. But another factor may play into this equation.
According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, studies show that a gene called the APOE-E4 gene may be one reason for this concerning statistic. This gene is common, with over one in seven people carrying copies of it. In general, it increases one’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s. However, researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that women who carry the gene are nearly twice as likely to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s compared to those who do not carry the APOE-E4 gene.
5. It can develop at a young age.
Alzheimer’s is usually associated with the elderly. But younger people can develop the disease too. This is known as early-onset Alzheimer’s. And it may affect up to five percent of those with the disease. In fact, a lot of people who develop Alzheimer’s are in their forties and fifties. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is diagnosed when a person is under the age of 65.
6. It’s the only top killer that can’t be prevented, cured or slowed down.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that of the top ten causes of death, Alzheimer’s is the only disease that can’t be prevented, cured, or slowed down. This makes Alzheimer’s unique in its own right.
7. In the grand scheme of things, Alzheimer’s is really expensive.
When it comes to costly diseases, Alzheimer’s nearly tops the list. Research shows that only heart disease surpasses Alzheimer’s when it comes to yearly costs.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that in 2015, societal spending related to Alzheimer’s was expected to reach $226 billion. And half of these costs were expected to be billed to Medicare.
And that’s not all. Senior spending associated with dementia is reported to be three times higher than spending associated with seniors who do not suffer from dementia. Almost one out of every five dollars spent by Medicare is associated with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
Even more concerning, this number is expected to climb to one out of every three dollars by 2050. This has experts scampering to figure out how to cap these costs.
8. Head trauma may elevate the risk of Alzheimer’s.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, head trauma and an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s may go hand in hand. This is particularly true in the case of multiple head injuries or a loss of consciousness. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association advises individuals to take safety precautions -- like wearing a seat belt in a car or a helmet when playing sports.
9. Some experts think that the risk of Alzheimer’s may be reduced by following a healthy diet.
Numerous health issues have been linked to an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease. For example, the Alzheimer’s Association says that heart disease and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s may be linked. And studies show that metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and insulin resistance may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Consequently, experts say that following a healthy diet rich in oily fish, nuts, seeds, beans, fruits and vegetables may help protect against the disease.
10. As age increases, some races have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than others.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, African-Americans and Hispanics who are older have a greater chance of developing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia than those who are Caucasian. That said, statistics show that more non-Hispanic Caucasians are living with Alzheimer’s than other races.
11. The future of Alzheimer’s will be brighter.
The good news is that there are new treatments on the horizon in the way of Alzheimer’s. Drugs that are currently being developed may help individuals to manage the disease. Experts say that these medications may involve a combination of many medications, similar to the treatments that are now being used for HIV suppression.