Alzheimer's disease, which we often call Alzheimer's disease, simply refers to degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, which is mainly characterized by cognitive dysfunction and impairment of physical behavior.
According to relevant statistics, there are more than 10 million Alzheimer's patients in the mainland, and an average of 1,370 elderly people are lost every day. So why are there more and more people with Alzheimer's disease now?
01
What causes Alzheimer's disease?
What are the causes of Alzheimer's disease? The medical community has conducted in-depth research on this and found that its cause is not a single cause, but the result of a combination of factors.
First, genetic factors play an important role in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that people with a family history had a significantly higher risk of developing the disease.
This genetic predisposition may be related to specific genetic variants that may affect the structure and function of neurons in the brain, which in turn increases the risk of disease.
Secondly, environmental factors should not be ignored. Long-term mental stress, loneliness, depression and other negative emotions, as well as poor lifestyle habits, such as lack of exercise and unbalanced diet, can cause damage to brain health and increase the risk of disease.
In addition, some chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, may also indirectly increase the probability of Alzheimer's disease by affecting the health of blood vessels.
In addition, age is also an important factor in the onset of Alzheimer's disease. As we age, the number and function of neurons in the brain gradually decline, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities such as memory and thinking. Alzheimer's disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disease, making it more susceptible to older adults.
02
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease mainly affects neurons in the brain, causing a gradual decline in the ability to remember, think, and behave. This condition usually occurs in older people, but it can also occur in younger people.
Alzheimer's disease manifests in a variety of ways, with the most common symptom being memory loss. Patients may forget recent events, such as meals they just ate, people they just met, etc.
At the same time, they may also forget things from the past, such as their own birthdays, names of family members, etc. These memory problems usually progressively worsen and eventually affect the patient's daily life.
In addition to memory problems, people with Alzheimer's disease may also experience other cognitive impairments, such as slow thinking, decreased judgment, speech disorders, etc.
They may become confused, anxious, or depressed, and have difficulty dealing with complex issues. In addition, patients may also have behavioral problems, such as disorientation, inability to care for themselves, etc.
As the condition worsens, the symptoms of people with Alzheimer's disease may become more severe. They may become unable to recognize family, friends, or themselves, or even complete simple daily tasks. These symptoms not only affect the quality of life of patients, but also place a huge burden on families and society.
03
Alzheimer's disease is gradually increasing, and doctors recommend: after the age of 60, try to do 3 things
Maintain an active lifestyle
As we move into old age, many people may feel that life has lost its former passion and vitality, but this negative attitude is the breeding ground for Alzheimer's disease.
Instead, we should maintain our love and interest in life, actively participate in social activities, keep in touch with family and friends, and share each other's lives and joys.
This not only exercises our social skills, but also promotes the brain's active thinking, which effectively prevents Alzheimer's disease.
Eat a healthy diet
We should maintain a balanced diet and consume enough nutrients, especially foods rich in antioxidants, such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, fruits, etc.
The antioxidants in these foods can help us remove free radicals from our body and reduce damage to brain cells, thus keeping our brains healthy.
Stick to moderate physical activity
Exercise can not only improve our physical fitness and enhance immunity, but also promote blood circulation in the brain, providing more oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Therefore, whether it is walking, tai chi or square dancing, it is a very suitable exercise for the elderly and can help us effectively prevent Alzheimer's disease.
04
The number of Alzheimer's patients in mainland China is the largest in the world, is it because of drinking too much tea?
According to statistics, the number of Alzheimer's disease in mainland China has exceeded 8 million, with an average of 300,000 new cases per year, and the prevalence continues to increase with age.
More worryingly, the number of people affected by the disease is expected to account for 25% of the total population of the mainland by 2030, and in the face of this grim situation, some people have raised a question: Is it because we drink too much tea?
However, the latest research results from the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University do not seem to be fully consistent with this view. In fact, this study is a more in-depth discussion and supplement to the previous view that "drinking tea can help prevent Alzheimer's".
Studies have found that people who drink 1~6 cups of tea a day do have a reduced risk of dementia. However, each additional cup of tea consumed after drinking more than 6 cups was associated with a 48% increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Even more surprising was that people who drank more than 13 cups of tea a day had a 67% increased risk of AD compared to non-tea drinkers.
It can be seen that in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, the protective effect of tea does not continue to increase with the increase of drinking, but may gradually disappear, and even eventually become harmful.
Therefore, while enjoying the many benefits of drinking tea, we should also maintain moderation and avoid excessive consumption. Drinking tea can be good for your health, but the key is to get the right degree.