Building Memories and Getting Facts about Alzheimer's

"The good news is that with age comes happiness,"

-Yang Yang -sociologist
University of Chicago

Belly fat - really?
Not only does that spare tire around our middles cause us angst in clingy dresses and tight pants, but now we can start blaming belly fat for boosting our risk of getting Alzheimer's disease or other dementias decades later. The new research, by study author Rachel Whitmer of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif., found that participants with normal body weight and high belly measurements were 89 percent more likely to have dementia.

Alzheimer's statistics are pretty arresting all by themselves:

• 10 Million US Baby Boomers will develop Alzheimer’s disease
• Every 7 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease.
• Direct & indirect costs for Alzheimer’s disease and dementias are $148 billion annually.
• 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
• The disease is the 7th -leading cause of death in the United States.

Here's what we know about the Alzheimer's:

• It is a progressive and fatal brain disease.
• Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
• It is severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life.
• It gets worse over time.

Although the prognosis for individuals with Alzheimer's is pretty bleak, there are many new drugs and techniques that offer hope and improved quality of life. Several drugs on the market right now such as Exelon, Razadyne, Namenda and Aricept will slow the progress of the disease.

The "magic pill" that continues to lead the pack in fending off Alzheimer's symptoms and keeps our brains in shape is the big "E" - exercise! With this recent belly fat data, it speaks volumes for keeping our physical bodies in shape for the sake of our brains, not to mention the other benefits of physical activity. There is plenty of data that will tell us about exercise reducing the risks of heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.

As Alzheimer's disease destroys portions of the brain, the brain actually shrinks in size. A study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that physical exercise can actually increase the size of a person's brain. Get out and bike, walk or swim. Exercise today!

Two months ago, I had the opportunity to be the featured guest on InTimeTV's internet program, Journey Through Alzheimer's disease. If you click on this link, or paste it into your browser, you can view the show. mms://68.251.204.5/video/intimetv/jta011.wmv. (The link looks strange, but trust me, it works.) The show is weekly and features experts working in the Alzheimer's arena. The show host is Athena Rabapis. Viewers can either watch the show live, or play it at their convenience by going to InTimeTV's archives.

On the day that I was the guest, we had a bit of a scare in the building downtown where the show is produced. I happened to be in the ladies' room at the same time as the show host, and her mother (who was visiting). All of a sudden, Athena turned to me and said, "Does that look like smoke coming out of the light fixture?" Sure enough, the fixture was smoking, and 911 was called. The events that followed were comical, but thanks to the Chicago Fire Dept., everyone was safe, and the show went on as planned. Here's proof from our fire adventure!

Spreading the news about new research and tips about Alzheimer's disease is a cause close to my heart. Both my mother and my grandmother had the disease for a collective total of 18 years. Our family went through all facets of the Alzheimer's journey. Now when I work with families who are affected by the disease, each incident they tell me about fuels my passion to help disseminate information about Alzheimer's. Although my knowledge base comes from the professional arena, it is difficult not to make it personal. When you have a family member with Alzheimer's disease, everyone in the family lives with the disease.


As you travel down the road with Alzheimer's disease, remember;

1. No two families are alike. No two symptoms are alike. Professionals working with Alzheimer's patients often say, "When you've met one Alzheimer's family, you've met one Alzheimer's family.
2. You and your family are doing your best.
3. Have patience.
4. Take care of yourself, first.

Finally, memory loss doesn't mean new memories can't be made. Your relative with Alzheimer's disease can try something new today - because they are living in this moment.

Go out and give yourself the gift of building new memories - today!


www.alzheimers-illinois.org