What Appears to be Alzheimer’s May Not Be.

A preventable condition that mimics Alzheimer’s is a form of Dementia  known as Vascular Cognitive Impairment.

 Many of the people who visit blogs such as this one are just beginning their education in the matter of Alzheimer’s Disease. They have noticed what they believe are signs of the disease in themselves or in someone close to them. Of course the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or the subject of today’s discussion Vascular Cognitive Impairment can only be made by your physician. Vascular cognitive Impairment(VCI) is a common form of dementia that is often mistaken for Alzheimer’s.

VCI can be prevented with a dedication to wise choices in lifestyle that result in general good health.

VCI is the second most common cause of dementia. It occurs in as many as one in 25 Americans who have reached the age of sixty five age . About 1 in 5 of the people who suffer from dementia are those suffering from VCI. Damage to the brain results from multiple small strokes, that can occur when there is a narrowing or blocking of arteries in the brain, this damage is the cause of VCI.

It should be noted that people are in a position to greatly reduce their risk of developing the disease(VCI) by lowering their blood pressure, quitting smoking, keeping diabetes and cholesterol levels under control and maintaining a proper weight which of course is the culprit in many of the aforementioned conditions.

VCI shares Alzheimer’s symptoms such as confusion, agitation, language and memory problems, and unsteady gait and falls.  In Alzheimer’s, memory problems are usually the first sign of the condition.

However, the first symptom of VCI usually is the declining ability to organize thoughts or actions. This is of course a very vague and subjective judgement of one’s or a loved one’s behavior. 

We will be discussing soon those with Alzheimers who drink and answer those who ask the question "how is alzheimers  spread among humans". Upcoming subjects will be comparing Alzheimers health care in Chicago to Alheimers health care in Texas.

For more visit these pages:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders

 Neurology Organization

Vascular cognitive impairment is not Alzheimer’s: Mayo Clinic

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B-Vitamin Deficiency May Cause Vascular Cognitive Impairment

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Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) « Jenny Ho

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Wii Video Game as a Tool to Help Alzheimer’s Victims

 Wii a nintendo product video game is proving a very popular  way for young and old to get a light weight workout and share some time with friends and family. The good news for Alzheimer’s invloved families is that it may  be a useful aid for people with the disease.

This game is different than most video games because it uses a motion-sensitive tracking device that requires users to swing a baseball bat or roll a bowling ball. So rather than being sedentary, players get a some of exercise as they simulate playing actual sports like baseball, tennis and golf. The level of play can also be adjusted to accommodate the abilities of users.

"The Wii has become a really new and unique thing for seniors to get involved with, and it is really because of the simplicity of use," said one retirement home staff member . He went on "It’s hand-eye coordination, visual stimulation and works as various forms of therapy. If they are in their wheelchair, it gets them excited, gets them enthralled into something that maybe they didn’t do before. They are not just sitting there watching something; they are actually engaged."

Studies show a typical person in a care home suffering with dementia could spend as little as two minutes a day interacting with other residents,sad but true.

"There’s some worth in looking at Nintendo Wiis and other activities that give people a sense of purpose and joy in the day," a British authority syas "If you are giving people something to do it really increases their sense of value." The games have been employed at various senior care centers there, and the British government is expanding the program to others. this of course will have to be an undertaking of individuals and their families here in the united States where we do not enjoy national health care as is the case in European countries.

Some care facilities like the one make the Wii available like the Silverado Senior Living Center in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., which provides assisted living for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, Wii golf, bowling,baseball and tennis are proving to be very popular among residents. An administrator there said "What our residents are doing with the Wii is a wonderful example of how much capacity and ability people with memory impairment have,” Ms. Shaw said. “It’s so important for the world to understand this and to help each person with memory disorder live to his or her full potential."

The Wii games also provide light physical exercise, which studies show may be beneficial for the brains of those with Alzheimer’s. The video games are just one of many various activities that have been shown to be of much benefit for people with Alzheimer’s, or those wishing to keep the disease at bay .Included in those activities are pet therapy,music, cooking and gardening .

Several studies show that even a brief visit from a pet can ease agitation in people with Alzheimer’s.

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Brief Moments of Oxygen Deprivation in Our Sleep May Contribute to Alzheimer’s

Dear Friends,

Once again the fact that we should strive to get a good night’s sleep is hammered home and this time with particular interest to those of us with concerns about Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s the snoring that’s at the root of recent concerns. That is because snoring is often caused by Sleep Apnea a condition which can cause several bouts of oxygen deprivation during the course of a sufferer’s night’s sleep.

http://www.aboutalzheimersinfo.info/alzheimerslink.php

Recently reports in the British press have shed some light on Alzheimer’s. As reported,  research scientist, Chris Peers quoted recently "We are looking into what happens when oxygen levels in the brain are reduced by a number of factors, from long-term conditions like emphysema and angina, to sudden incidents such as a heart attack, stroke or even head trauma." Peers is one of several research scientists at Leed’s University School of Medicine who appear to be confirming the connection between Sleep Apnea and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Susanne Sorensen, head researcher at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: "The team examined the role of cells that support neurons .This is exciting because rather than focusing on neurons they looked at processes in the brain, which until now have not be researched in so much detail."

It is looking as if the condition behind the snoring we do, Sleep Apnea is interfering with the work  of Astrocytes which is to clean up after certain brain processes. Toxins that would be getting removed by the Astrocytes are not being removed efficiently. It is these toxic chemicals which can contribute to Alzheimer’s.

Though bad news for people who snore heavily, these new findings have been welcomed by the Alzheimer’s Society because they shed more light on the workings of the brain and help explain why it is some people develop the disease while others do not.

http://www.aboutalzheimersinfo.info/alzheimerslink.php

If as this newest research suggests oxygen deprivation is a major contributing factor to Alzheimer’s Disease, people who snore in particular should take measures. There will be much more about this contributing to Alzheimer’s coming very soon . 

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