Common misconceptions about Alzheimer's disease

Sep 20 2011

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, continues to be an ongoing battle for millions of Americans. With an estimated 5.4 million Americans living with the disease and an annual cost of $183 billion, Dr. Gustavo C. Roman, director of the Nantz National Alzheimer Center at the Methodist Neurological Institute, addresses some common misconceptions about this devastating disease.

Myth: Alzheimer's disease is preventable.

Fact: Although researchers are learning more about the disease, there is no known cause behind brain cells failing. Lifestyle factors certainly play a role in protecting your brain as you age. You can reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias by eating right, exercising, staying mentally and socially active, and keeping stress in check.

Other than advancement of age and genetics, other factors associated with development of Alzheimer's include:

•High blood pressure
•High cholesterol
•Heart disease
•Type 2 diabetes

Myth: Only older people can get Alzheimer's

Fact: Alzheimer's can affect people in their 30s, 40s and even 50s. This is often referred to as early-onset Alzheimer's. Approximately 200,000 Americans under the age of 65 are diagnosed with Alzheimer's each year. However, the majority of patients are over the age of 65, and the greatest risk factor for this disease is advancing age.

Myth: Drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer's disease.

Fact: The use of aluminum as a possible suspect in Alzheimer's emerged in the 1960s. Pots, pans, beverage cans, antacids and antiperspirants led to increased concern about the everyday use of these products. Many studies have shown that no valid link exists between aluminum and an Alzheimer's diagnosis.

Myth: Dementia is a part of the normal aging process.

Fact: Normal memory loss and dementia are two different things. Normal memory loss is associated with age. An individual has slower thinking, difficulty paying attention and needs more cues to recall information. Forgetting part of an experience or misplacing your keys is a normal sign of memory loss. However, experiencing disorientation in familiar surroundings, poor judgment and trouble remembering events are possible signs of the early stages of dementia. Other common symptoms include changes in personality and behavior, confusion and difficulty concentrating. This disease is a slow process and while forgetfulness is part of aging, it cannot be fully connected with dementia.

While there are many myths dealing with this disease, one thing remains the same-a person develops dementia every 69 seconds. Roman and the team at the Nantz National Alzheimer Center are focusing efforts on finding new treatments, as statistics show that as many as 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's by the year 2050.