What is Alzheimer's

[Night_Hawk]

What is Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
The basics , Symptoms, Changes in the brain, Plaques & tangles
Research
The basics

• Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases.
  Learn more: What We Know Today and Related Dementias.

Alzheimer's is not the only cause of memory loss.
Many people have trouble with memory — this does NOT mean they have Alzheimer's. In fact, most do not. There are many different causes of memory loss. If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms, it is best to visit a doctor so the cause can be determined.

Learn more: Visiting Your Doctor

• Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early-onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.
  Learn more: Risk Factors
• Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from three to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.
  Learn more: 10 Warning Signs and Stages of Alzheimer's Disease.
• Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.
  Learn more: Standard Treatments, Treatment Horizon, Prevention and Clinical Trials.

Help is available
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's, you are not alone. The Alzheimer's Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral and support to millions of people affected by the disease.
Call our 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 in USA only.
Locate a chapter in your community

Symptoms

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is difficulty remembering newly learned information.

Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age . Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and occasional problems with remembering certain things. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing.
The most common early symptom of Alzheimer's is difficulty remembering newly learned information because Alzheimer changes typically begin in the part of the brain that affects learning. As Alzheimer's advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers; more serious memory loss and behavior changes; and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.
There are many conditions can disrupt memory and mental function. Anyone experiencing significant memory problems should see a doctor as soon as possible. If you need assistance finding a doctor with experience evaluating memory problems, your local Alzheimer's Association chapter can help. Early diagnosis and intervention methods are improving dramatically, and treatment options and sources of support can improve quality of life.
RELATED INFORMATION

• Why Get Checked
• Stages of Alzheimer's

• Importance of Early Diagnosis

• 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's and the brain

Microscopic changes in the brain begin long before the first signs of memory loss.
The brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each nerve cell connects with many others to form communication networks. Groups of nerve cells have special jobs. Some are involved in thinking, learning and remembering. Others help us see, hear and smell.
To do their work, brain cells operate like tiny factories. They receive supplies, generate energy, construct equipment and get rid of waste. Cells also process and store information and communicate with other cells. Keeping everything running requires coordination as well as large amounts of fuel and oxygen.
Scientists believe Alzheimer's disease prevents parts of a cell's factory from running well. They are not sure where the trouble starts. But just like a real factory, backups and breakdowns in one system cause problems in other areas. As damage spreads, cells lose their ability to do their jobs and, eventually die, causing irreversible changes in the brain.
Learn more: Brain Tour
The role of plaques and tangles

Plaques and tangles tend to spread through the cortex as Alzheimer's progresses.

Take the Brain Tour
Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells.
Plaques are deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd) that build up in the spaces between nerve cells.
Tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau (rhymes with “wow”) that build up inside cells.
Though most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, those with Alzheimer's tend to develop far more. They also tend to develop them in a predictable pattern, beginning in areas important for memory before spreading to other regions.
Scientists do not know exactly what role plaques and tangles play in Alzheimer's disease. Most experts believe they somehow play a critical role in blocking communication among nerve cells and disrupting processes that cells need to survive.
It's the destruction and death of nerve cells that causes memory failure, personality changes, problems carrying out daily activities and other symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Research and progress

Today, Alzheimer's is at the forefront of biomedical research.
Ninety percent of what we know about Alzheimer's has been discovered in the last 15 years. Some of the most remarkable progress has shed light on how Alzheimer's affects the brain. The hope is this better understanding will lead to new treatments. Many potential approaches are currently under investigation worldwide.
Learn more: Alz.org Research Center
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp

 

[animecrazy]

A really nice and informative post, Thank You!

 

[Night_Hawk]

A really nice and informative post, Thank You!

Khair:jazak:

 

[Classified]

Thank you Nigh_Hawk .

 

[Night_Hawk]

Thank you Nigh_Hawk .

Khair:jazak: Brother Classified.

 

[Night_Hawk]

 

[aqeel813]

Thanks brother for this video. After watching it i can say now that above 95% symptoms were the same. Almost all were the same. I wonder why the doctors couldn't figure it out. Very informative post indeed. I hope people get benefit from it to try save their loved ones.

 

[Night_Hawk]

Thanks brother for this video. After watching it i can say now that above 95% symptoms were the same. Almost all were the same. I wonder why the doctors couldn't figure it out. Very informative post indeed. I hope people get benefit from it to try save their loved ones.

Khair:jazak: Brother Aqeel,
If you could please print the article and give it to the physician who was treating your father, may be this will help someone or their family members.
May Allah give us the taufique to help our people.
Again my prayers are with you and your family. May Allah Bless us all with His Rahma.

 

[aqeel813]

Khair:jazak: Brother Aqeel,
If you could please print the article and give it to the physician who was treating your father, may be this will help someone or their family members.
May Allah give us the taufique to help our people.
Again my prayers are with you and your family. May Allah Bless us all with His Rahma.

Ameen. I will, Inshallah.

 

[animecrazy]

This disease goes unnoticed quite a lot of times.....spreading awareness is the key....

 

[Night_Hawk]

[h=1]About Alzheimer's Disease[/h]

Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that progressively attacks the brain's nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills and behavioral changes.
Fact: As many as 5.1 million Americans may have Alzheimer's disease.
[h=2]Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia[/h] Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, or loss of intellectual function, among people aged 65 and older. It represents about 60 percent of all cases of dementia. It is not a normal part of aging.
While some forms of dementia are reversible, Alzheimer's disease is one of the types of dementia that is irreversible.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that attacks the brain’s nerve cells, which produce the brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. The cells break connections with other nerve cells and ultimately die. For example, short-term memory fails when Alzheimer's disease first destroys nerve cells in the hippocampus, and language skills and judgment decline when neurons die in the cerebral cortex.
Two types of abnormal lesions clog the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease: Beta-amyloid plaques—sticky clumps of protein fragments and cellular material that form outside and around neurons; and neurofibrillary tangles—insoluble twisted fibers composed largely of the protein tau that build up inside nerve cells. Although these structures are hallmarks of the disease, scientists are unclear whether they cause it or a byproduct of it.
Origin of the term Alzheimer's disease dates back to 1906 when Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, presented a case history before a medical meeting of a 51-year-old woman who suffered from a rare brain disorder. A brain autopsy identified the plaques and tangles that today characterize Alzheimer's disease.
There are two types of the disease: sporadic Alzheimer's disease, or late-onset, and familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), or young-onset. Unlike sporadic Alzheimer's disease, FAD follows an obvious inheritance pattern. This rare form of Alzheimer's disease usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60.
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[h=2]Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] The causes of Alzheimer's disease are still unknown.
Current research indicates a number of risk factors that may cause Alzheimer's disease, including age, genetics, oxidative damage to neurons from the overproduction of toxic free radicals, serious head injuries, brain inflammation, diabetes and other illnesses, and environmental factors.
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The incidence of the disease doubles for every five-year age group above age 65.
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[h=2]Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] Although every case of Alzheimer's disease is different, experts have identified common warning signs of the brain disease. Remember, Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging, and it is important to look for signs that might indicate Alzheimer's disease versus basic forgetfulness.
With Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms gradually increase and become more persistent.
If someone is exhibiting symptoms, the person should check out his or her concerns with a healthcare professional. Awareness of these warning signs is not a substitute for a structured screening or consultation with a primary care provider.
[h=3]Typical warning signs include:[/h]

• Memory loss, especially of recent events, names, placement of objects, and other new information
• Confusion about time and place
• Struggling to complete familiar actions such as brushing teeth or getting dressed
• Trouble finding the appropriate words, completing sentences and following directions and conversations
• Poor judgment when making decisions
• Changes in mood and personality such as increased suspicion, rapid and persistent mood swings, withdrawal, and disinterest in usual activities
• Difficulty with complex mental assignments such as balancing a checkbook or other tasks involving numbers

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[h=2]Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] Proper diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is critical since there are dozens of other causes of dementia that could exhibit the same symptoms.
Clinicians can now diagnose Alzheimer's disease with up to 90 percent accuracy. But it can only be confirmed by an autopsy, during which pathologists look for the disease's characteristic plaques and tangles in brain tissue.
[h=3]Clinicians use the following tools to diagnose "probable" Alzheimer's disease:[/h]

• A complete medical history
• Lab tests
• Physical exam
• Brain scans
• Neuropsychological tests, including memory screening tools, that gauge memory, attention, language skills and problem-solving abilities

The sooner an accurate diagnosis of "probable" Alzheimer's disease is made, the easier it is to manage symptoms and plan for the future.
Click here to gain insight into the new diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease released in April 2011, as discussed by Marie A. Bernard, M.D., deputy director of the National Institute on Aging and one of the experts who helped develop the criteria.
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[h=2]Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] [h=3]Cognitive Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary from person to person. They are divided into these categories: cognitive, or intellectual, symptoms, psychiatric symptoms and functional symptoms.
Differentiating between cognitive and psychiatric symptoms is important so that behavioral problems that are caused by loss of cognitive functioning are not treated with antipsychotic or antianxiety medications.
[h=3]Cognitive, or intellectual, symptoms (the 4 A’s of Alzheimer’s disease) are:[/h]

• Amnesia—loss of memory or the inability to remember facts or events. We have two types of memories: short-term (recent, new) and long-term (remote, old) memories. Short-term memory is programmed in a part of the brain called the temporal lobe, while long-term memory is stored throughout extensive nerve cell networks in the temporal and parietal lobes. In Alzheimer's disease, short-term memory storage is damaged first.
• Aphasia—the inability to communicate effectively. The loss of ability to speak and write is called expressive aphasia. An individual may forget words and have increasing difficulty with communication. With receptive aphasia, an individual may be unable to understand spoken or written words or may read and not understand a word of what is read. Sometimes an individual pretends to understand and even nods in agreement; this is to cover up aphasia. Although individuals may not understand words and grammar, they may still understand non-verbal behavior, such as smiling.
• Apraxia—the inability to do pre-programmed motor tasks or to perform activities of daily living such as brushing teeth and dressing. An individual may forget all motor skills learned during development. Sophisticated motor skills that require extensive learning, such as job-related skills, are the first functions that become impaired. More instinctive functions like chewing, swallowing and walking are lost in the last stages of the disease.
• Agnosia—the inability to correctly interpret signals from a person’s five senses. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease may not recognize familiar people and objects. A common yet often unrecognized agnosia is the inability to appropriately perceive internal information such as a full bladder or chest pain.

[h=3]Psychiatric Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] In addition to cognitive symptoms that develop in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, psychiatric symptoms are common.
Differentiating them is important so that behavioral problems that are caused by loss of cognitive functioning are not treated with anti-psychotic or anti-anxiety medications.
[h=3]Major psychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may include:[/h]

• Personality changes—personality changes can become evident in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Signs include irritability, apathy, withdrawal and isolation.
• Depression—individuals may show symptoms of depression at any stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Depression is treatable, even in the latter stages of Alzheimer's disease.
• Psychotic symptoms—psychotic symptoms include hallucinations and delusions, which usually occur in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Hallucinations typically are auditory and/or visual, and sensory impairments, such as hearing loss or poor eyesight, tend to increase hallucinations in the elderly. Hallucinations and delusions can be very upsetting to the person with the disease. Common reactions are feelings of fear, anxiety and paranoia, as well as agitation, aggression and verbal outbursts.

Individuals with psychiatric symptoms tend to exhibit more behavioral problems than those without these symptoms.
Treatment may include carefully-supervised use of medications and behavioral interventions. Use of antipsychotic drugs for dementia has been controversial, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in recent years has required drug labels to carry so-called “black box” warnings regarding them. Current research shows that antipsychotic drugs are associated with increased mortality rates in individuals with dementia.
[h=3]Functional Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] Functional impairments include inability to perform common activities of daily living (ADLs)—the basic tasks involved in every day life.
[h=3]Activities of daily living include:[/h]

• Bathing
• Dressing
• Toileting
• Eating
• Personal hygiene (grooming, oral care)
• Transferring

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[h=2]Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved various medications that may help slow the progression of symptoms.
One class of medications is known as cholinesterase inhibitors, which inhibit the enzyme that breaks down the brain chemical known as acetylcholine. These are:

• Donepezil hydrochloride (brand name: Aricept), approved for all stages of Alzheimer's disease;
• Rivastigmine (brand name: Exelon), approved in pill and patch form for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease;
• Galantamine hydrobromide (brand name: Razadyne), approved for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease

The second class of medications is memantine HCI (brand name: Namenda), approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Unlike the other medications approved for Alzheimer’s disease, this drug targets a brain chemical known as glutamate.
Clinicians may prescribe one or a combination of these drugs.
Most researchers agree that most available medications are best given earlier in the disease when the individual has mild symptoms.
Researchers are continually testing the effectiveness of various drug therapies that will control symptoms; slow, reduce and/or reverse mental and behavioral symptoms; and prevent or halt the disease. Private and government-sponsored clinical trials are occurring throughout the world.
Currently, research supports behavioral management interventions for many individuals with dementia, as well as education and counseling for caregivers of older adults.
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[h=2]Life Expectancy with Alzheimer’s Disease[/h] Alzheimer's disease stretches from two to 20 years, and individuals live on average for eight to 10 years from diagnosis.
Individuals with Alzheimer's disease are likely to develop co-existing illnesses and most commonly die from pneumonia.
Alzheimer's disease is among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.

http://www.alzprevention.org/about-alzheimers-disease.php

 

[Night_Hawk]

Alzheimers & Dementia Prevention

How To Reduce Your Risk and Protect Your Brain

For many years, weve been told that theres little we can do to prevent Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia. All we can do, this line of thinking goes, is hope for the best as we age and wait for a pharmaceutical cure. But the truth is much more encouraging.
New research reveals that lifestyle factors play a significant role in protecting your brain as you age. You can reduce your risk of Alzheimers disease and other dementias by eating right, exercising, staying mentally and socially active, and keeping stress in check. By leading a brain-healthy lifestyle, you may even be able to prevent the symptoms of Alzheimers disease entirely and slow down, or even reverse, the deterioration of aging.

In This Article:

• Lifestyle choices can protect your brain
• Regular exercise
• Healthy diet
• Mental stimulation
• Quality sleep
• Stress management
• Active social life
• Related links & references

Lifestyle choices can protect your brain

Researchers across the world are racing towards a cure for Alzheimers disease. But as prevalence rates climb, their focus has broadened from treatment to prevention strategies. What theyve discovered is that it may be possible to prevent or delay the symptoms of Alzheimers disease and other dementias through a combination of healthful habits.
There are steps you can take to keep your brain healthy as you age. Its never too early to start boosting your brain reserves, so what are you waiting for? Take action today!
The 6 pillars of a brain-healthy lifestyle

The health of your brain, like the health of your body, depends on many factors.

While some factors, such as your genes, are out of your control, many powerful lifestyle factors are within your sphere of influence.
The six pillars of a brain-healthy lifestyle are:

1. Regular exercise
2. Healthy diet
3. Mental stimulation
4. Quality sleep
5. Stress management
6. An active social life

The more you strengthen each of the six pillars in your daily life, the healthier and hardier your brain will be.
When you lead a brain-healthy lifestyle, your brain will stay working strongerlonger.
Alzheimers & dementia prevention pillar #1: Regular exercise

The benefits of exercise

In addition to protecting against Alzheimers and dementia, regular exercise:

• Reduces stress
• Boosts mood
• Improves memory
• Increases energy

According to the Alzheimers Research & Prevention Foundation, physical exercise reduces your risk of developing Alzheimers disease by 50 percent.
Regular exercise can also slow further deterioration in those who have already started to develop cognitive problems.
If youve been inactive for a while, starting an exercise program can be intimidating. But you dont have to take up jogging or sign up for a gym membership. Look for small ways to add more movement into your day. Park at the far end of the parking lot, take the stairs, carry your own groceries, or walk around the block or pace while talking on your cell phone.
Tips for getting started and sticking with your exercise plan:

• Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise five times per week. Try walking, swimming, or any other activity that gets your heart rate up. Even routine activities such as gardening, cleaning, or doing laundry count as exercise.
• Build muscle to pump up your brain. Moderate levels of weight and resistance training not only increase muscle mass, they help you maintain brain health. Combining aerobics and strength training is better than either activity alone. For those over 65, adding 2-3 strength sessions to your weekly routine may cut your risk of Alzheimers in half.
• Include balance and coordination exercises. Head injuries from falls are an increasing risk as you grow older, which in turn increase your risk for Alzheimers disease and dementia. Balance and coordination exercises can help you stay agile and avoid spills. Try yoga, Tai Chi, or exercises using balance discs or balance balls.
• Stick with it for a month. It takes approximately 28 days for a new routine to become habit. Once youre over this hump, keeping up your exercise routine will feel natural. In the meantime, write realistic goals on a workout calendar and post it on the fridge. Build in frequent rewards, and within no time, the feel-good endorphins from regular exercise will help you forget the remoteand head out the door.
• Protect your head. Studies suggest that head trauma at any point in life significantly increases your risk of Alzheimers disease. This includes repeated hits in sports activities such as football, soccer, and boxing, or one-time injuries from a bicycle, skating, or motorcycle accident. Protect your brain by wearing properly fitting sports helmets, buckling your seatbelt, and trip-proofing your environment. Avoid activities that compete for your attentionlike talking on your cell while driving or listening to music while running. A moments distraction can lead to a brain-injuring thud!

Ready to get moving?

If you are even thinking about ways to fit exercise into your bursting-at-the-seams schedule, you are on the right track. No matter your age, your health, or your fitness level, you can benefit from moving more. Whether you are generally healthy or are managing an illness, there are big and small ways to get more active and boost your fitness level.
Read: Easy Excercise Tips: Making Excercise Part of Your Everyday Life and Senior Exercise and Fitness Tips

Alzheimers & dementia prevention pillar #2: Healthy diet

Just like the rest of your body, your brain needs a nutritious diet to operate at its best. Focus on eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats.
Eating habits that reduce inflammation and provide a steady supply of fuel are best. These food tips will keep you protected:

• Follow a Mediterranean diet.Eating a heart-healthy Mediterranean diet rich in fish, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, and abundant fresh produce. Treat yourself to the occasional glass of red wine and square of dark chocolate.
• Avoid trans fats and saturated fats. Reduce your consumption by avoiding full-fat dairy products, red meat, fast food, fried foods, and packaged and processed foods.
• Get plenty of omega-3 fats. Evidence suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent Alzheimers disease and dementia. Food sources include cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, trout, mackerel, and sardines. You can also supplement with fish oil.
• Eat 4-6 small meals throughout the day, rather than 3 large meals. Eating at regular intervals helps to maintain consistent blood sugar levels. Also avoid refined carbohydrates high in sugar and white flour, which rapidly spike glucose levels and inflame your brain.
• Eat across the rainbow.Emphasize fruits and vegetables across the color spectrum to maximize protective antioxidants and vitamins. Daily servings of berries and green leafy vegetables should be part of your brain-protective regimen.
• Enjoy daily cups of tea.Green, white, and oolong teas are particularly brain healthy. Drinking 2-4 cups daily has proven benefits. Although not as powerful as tea, coffee also confers brain benefits.

Reduce your risk of Alzheimers by giving up smoking and drinking only in moderation

Smoking and heavy drinking are two of the most preventable risk factors for Alzheimers disease. Not only does smoking increase the odds for those over 65 by nearly 79 percent, researchers at Miamis Mt. Sinai Medical Center warn that a combination of these two behaviors reduces the age of Alzheimers onset by six to seven years.
When you stop smoking, the brain benefits from improved circulation almost immediately, no matter your age. However, brain changes from alcohol abuse can only be reversed in their early stages.


What about supplements?

Folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium, and fish oil are believed to preserve and improve brain health. Studies of vitamin E, gingko biloba, coenzyme Q10, and turmeric have yielded less conclusive results, but may also be beneficial in the prevention or delay of Alzheimers and dementia symptoms.
Talk to your doctor about medication interactions, and review current literature to make a personal decision about the costs and benefits of dietary supplements.
Whats good for the heart is good for the brain

Evidence suggests that by reducing your risk of heart disease, you also lower your risk of Alzheimers disease. The following diet plans can help:

• Heart Healthy Diet Tips: Eating to Prevent Heart Disease and Boost Heart Health
• Choosing Healthy Fats: Good Fats, Bad Fats, and the Power of Omega-3 Fats

Alzheimers & dementia prevention pillar #3: Mental stimulation

Those who continue learning new things throughout life and challenging their brains are less likely to develop Alzheimers disease and dementia, so make it a point to stay mentally active. In essence, you need to use it or lose it.
Activities involving multiple tasks or requiring communication, interaction, and organization offer the greatest protection. Set aside time each day to stimulate your brain. Cross-training with these brain-boosting activities will help keep you mentally sharp:

• Learn something new. Study a foreign language, learn sign language, practice a musical instrument, read the newspaper or a good book, or take up a new hobby. The greater the novelty and challenge, the larger the deposit in your brain reserves.
• Practice memorization. Start with something short, progressing to something a little more involved, such as the 50 U.S. state capitals. Create rhymes and patterns to strengthen your memory connections.
• Enjoy strategy games, puzzles, and riddles. Brain teasers and strategy games provide a great mental workout and build your capacity to form and retain cognitive associations. Do a crossword puzzle, play board games or cards, or work word and number games, such as Scrabble or Sudoku.
• Practice the 5 Ws.Observe and report like a crime detective. Keep a Who, What, Where, When, and Why list of your daily experiences. Capturing visual details keeps your neurons firing.
• Follow the road less traveled. Take a new route, eat with your non-dominant hand, rearrange your computer file system. Vary your habits regularly to create new brain pathways.

To learn more about maximizing your brainpower, read Improving Your Memory.

Alzheimers & dementia prevention pillar #4: Quality sleep

Your brain needs regular, restful sleep in order to function at optimum capacity. Sleep deprivation not only leaves you cranky and tired, but impairs your ability to think, problem-solve, and process, store, and recall information. Deep, dreamy sleep is critical for memory formation and retention. If nightly sleep deprivation is slowing your thinking and affecting your mood, you may be at greater risk of developing symptoms of Alzheimers disease. The vast majority of adults need at least 8 hours of sleep per night. Any less, and productivity and creativity suffers.
To learn more, see How Much Sleep Do You Need?

Tips to help you combat insomnia and catch up on your Zs

• Establish a regular sleep schedule. Going to bed and getting up at the same time reinforces your natural circadian rhythms. Your brains clock responds to regularity.
• Be smart about napping. While taking a nap can be a great way to recharge, especially for older adults, it can make insomnia worse. If insomnia is a problem for you, consider eliminating napping. If you must nap, do it in the early afternoon, and limit it to thirty minutes.
• Set the mood.Reserve your bed for sleep and sex, and ban television and computers from the bedroom (both are stimulating and may lead to difficulties falling asleep).
• Create a relaxing bedtime ritual. Take a hot bath, do some light stretches, write in your journal, or dim the lights. As it becomes habit, your nightly ritual will send a powerful signal to your brain that its time for deep restorative sleep.
• Quiet your inner chatter.When stress, anxiety, or negative internal dialogues keep you awake, get out of bed. Try reading or relaxing in another room for twenty minutes then hop back in.

Alzheimers & dementia prevention #5: Stress management

Stress that is chronic or severe takes a heavy toll on the brain, leading to shrinkage in a key memory area of the brain known as the hippocampus, hampering nerve cell growth, and increasing your risk of Alzheimers disease and dementia. Yet simple daily tools can minimize its harmful effects.
Get your stress levels in check with these proven techniques

• Breathe!Stress alters your breathing rate and impacts oxygen levels in the brain. Quiet your stress response with deep, abdominal breathing. Restorative breathing is powerful, simple, and free!
• Schedule daily relaxation activities.Keeping stress under control requires regular effort. Make relaxation a priority, whether its a walk in the park, playtime with your dog, yoga, or a soothing bath.
• Nourish inner peace. Most scientists acknowledge a strong mind-body connection, and various studies associate spirituality with better brain health. Regular meditation, prayer, reflection, and religious practice may immunize you against the damaging effects of stress.

Alzheimers & dementia prevention #6: An active social life

Human beings are highly social creatures. We dont thrive in isolation, and neither does our brain. Studies show that the more connected we are, the better we fare on tests of memory and cognition. Staying socially active may even protect against Alzheimers disease and dementia, so make your social life a priority.
Oftentimes, we become more isolated as we get older, but there are many ways to keep your support system strong and develop new relationships:

Volunteer Join a club or social group Visit your local community center or senior center Take group classes (such as at the gym or a community college)

Reach out over the phone or email Join a social network such as Facebook Get to know your neighbors Make a weekly date with friends Get out (go to the movies, the park, museums, and other public places)

Simple ways to connect with your partner, family member, or friend

• Commit to spending quality time together on a regular basis. Even during very busy and stressful times, a few minutes of really sharing and connecting can help keep bonds strong.
• Find something that you enjoy doing together, whether it is a shared hobby, dance class, daily walk, or sitting over a cup of coffee in the morning.
• Try something new together. Doing new things together can be a fun way to connect and keep things interesting. It can be as simple as trying a new restaurant or going on a day trip to a place youve never been before.

http://www.helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_prevention_slowing_down_treatment.htm