Do you fear developing Alzheimer's?

Question

I read today about results of a study with Catholic priests, nuns and brothers starting at age 75. They did lots of tests over the years and determined that self-disciplined, conscientious people were the least likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. (You would think in that group of people they all should have been self-disciplined and conscientious! Did they slip in a few Wild & Crazy Guys?)

I'm wondering now about my odds of developing Alzheimer's. Self-disciplined I'm not. I'm dependable but that's not the same as conscientious.

Also, the people I've known who had the disease had all led very conservative lives. They had all been very responsible workers, parents, church goers, etc, but developed Alzheimer's in their late 70's or early 80's.

What are your thoughts on this subject?

Answer 1

I think the "study" is probably wrong. I am more inclined to think that we are all in a crap shoot, and that it is pure chance that decides whether YOUR body will be the one that develops Alzeheimer's (with just a little help from heredity).

Answer 2

That wellbeing care professional is an fool for telling you that you receives Alzheimer's. you don't understand and neither does he. you would possibly want to easily as absolutely be hit by utilizing a bus. Your reaction is likewise extremely dramatic - this is astonishing for 15 365 days olds (or perhaps 20 or 30 365 days olds) to get this ailment so that you would possibly want to thoroughly close down at this knowledge is slightly an over-reaction. I propose some issues: a million. pass and word your wellbeing care professional (so long because this is not any longer the fool you in worry-free words talked to) and characteristic your self appeared at for melancholy. this may properly be a separate element from the information you in worry-free words were given. 2. remember that there replaced right into a time after lets no longer remedy smallpox or the flu or a variety of of alternative ailments, which incorporates some sorts of maximum cancers. we stay interior the perfect time to be alive and there is not any telling what clinical technology will have the means to inform us and do interior the subsequent 30 years. you're youthful and characteristic an rather good existence only before you. do not waste it because the wellbeing care professional you spoke with only reported some stupid issues to you.

Answer 3

I work in this field, and believe me, there are no certainties about it. Research studies come up with different answers every week, sometimes they say a certain type of character will get it, sometimes its a certain diet, you name it. But at the end of the day, people from all walks of life and all character types can get it.
Just because it affects your personality, that doesn't mean that your personality type affects your chances of getting it.
There do seem to be some inherited tendencies to getting it, but the main factor seems to be age. The older you live, the more likely you are to get it.
I have a fear of getting it, because my mother had it. Working in the field makes me very aware of how devastating the disease is....short-term memory loss can change a normal person into a walking zombie in the space of a year.
I subscribe to the "use it or lose it" theory (which is also just a theory - plenty of really intelligent people get Alzheimer's), and so I do a lot of reading, mind games and puzzles, etc.
I also live every day to the fullest, because I know that anything could be around the corner, and we have to make the most of every day.

Answer 4

My father had Alzheimers and he was anything but conservative. He also had an active mind and was physically fit. Dad liked to have some drinks but wasn't alcoholic. I don't think this disease has a typical victim. I recently learned that athletes in contact sports are susceptible.

I'm not at all concerned about getting Alzheimers or the long goodbye. You get to meet new friends every day. There's far worse ways to go.

Answer 5

I do worry about it a bit because of the genetic link. My grandparents had severe Alzheimer's and my mother currently has it.
I remember when my grandparents didn't know my mum and now she doesn't know me!!! She thinks I'm her mother.
It worries me because I am quite forgetful but that could be due to any number of things but the thought of Alzheimer's is always a concern.

I lead a conservative life, don't drink, smoke or do drugs in fact I never have and I keep my mind busy all the time. That's one of the reasons I come here, but self disciplined HA I don't know those words. Oh Hum.

I will keep checking back because it will be interesting to see the various answers.

Answer 6

I've known only one person who had Alzheimer's, and that was my mother-in-law. She had been a schoolteacher after her three boys were in school, and I'm not sure how long she taught.

I don't believe a particular profession or mindset can protect you from this heartbreaking disease, but perhaps your character can help you maintain your dignity with it. My husband's mother was always a lady, and never became aggressive or abusive as many such patients do. She was occasionally argumentative in the earlier stages, which was out of character for her, but that's it.

To my way of thinking, you can only try to keep your mind active as much as possible and hope to stave it off as long as possible. Doing mindless things (like watching TV) lets the mind become lazy, and who knows what lurks in the shadows of a lazy mind?

Answer 7

I don't worry about it. Being of Norwegian ancestry I'm more worried of developing colo-rectal cancer. Scandinavians and Japanese have the highest rate of that particular form of cancer and some have said it's because of the heavy reliance on fish in the diet.
There's going to be a lot of educated guessing and laboratory "strike outs" with Alzheimer's, the same as there was with cancer years ago. I recall the scientists chasing after lactic acid as a possible preventive for cancer, only because there is no such think as cancer in muscle tissue and lactic acid is produced by muscles when they are used. No one knows what causes this strangulation of the hippocampus. Maybe it's that, in earlier times, people died before the normal age of onset of Alzheimer's.

Answer 8

To overcome a fear you take action on that fear. or as the Bible puts it; God didn't give you fear but strength of mind. Kundalini Yoga offers us the Kirtan Kriya and Dr. Khalsa's Brain Longevity Book. Being a caregiver, I know Alzheimer's can strike anyone, at any age and they are finding out it is getting earlier..is it the processed foods, is it the fact that we don't slow our minds down and offset our stress, is it too much T.V, alcohol prescription drugs? Stay physically active and mentally engaged. Go to the Alzheimers Prevention Foundation Association site.(Dr Khalsas). Be proactive with your health.

Answer 9

My mom passed away this past June, and looking back on the prior two years my brother and sister-in-law told me things that made it seem like mom had shown signs of it. I certainly saw the signs but it was hard to distinguish from the results of the stroke.

Senior moments concern me some. As they come more and more frequently, I wonder if that's a pre-Alzheimer's thing?

Answer 10

Greatly..my mother developed it at about 78-79, growing daily. She died at 84 of lung cancer, quietly in her sleep. I miss her terribly, for I no longer have one to share my joys and cares....she was a marvelous sounding board for my ideas, my lunacy...she was as nuts as I, had a terrific sense of humor, and was so very wise. I miss her daily. But life marches on, I have become the next generation to die. That is how it goes.
Daily, I cannot find a word I know damned well, it is just not at the tip of my tongue..later, after changing an entire sentence to accomdate a synonym, I will remember the exact word...very frustrating...worse some days that others. Senior moments hopefully, Altzheimers I fear greatly. I will not live through that...of that I am sure. I have no problems with saying good bye if it comes to that. good luck and love in life, Phil

Answer 11

As I have watched the 'spirit' of the essence of my mother slowly dissipate with the ravages of this disease, yes, I am somewhat fearful ....however, within that fear, I have done much research on things that can curtail, maybe prevent the onset of the disease and have taken heed.

Unlike my Mom, I stay mentally active, inquisitive, do mind games, stay involved in the world outside my own little corner of it, try to mostly eat right, get rest, manage effectively anger...you name it, I embrace it for a healthy lifestyle, physically and mentally. Then I give the fear over to a higher power....can't spend time with it any longer! lol