- Introduction
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
-
Caregiving
- Coping with Emotional Changes
- Coping with Memory Loss
- Costs and Insurance
- Creating a Daily Routine
- Exercise
- Health and Wellbeing of the Caregiver
- Home Safety Adjustments
- Mental Exercises
- Respite Care
- Talking to Children about Alzheimer's
- Talking to Friends about Alzheimer's
- Telling Someone They Have Alzheimer's
- Transition to Assisted Living
- Transition to Nursing Home
- Work
- Related Conditions
- Resources
Hi, Caring Granddaughter,
According to the research, Alzheimer's in some cases can be genetic. (See http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/symptom-checker-000002_2-145_3.html). However, there are some lifestyle decisions that you can make that may make a difference, including exercise, diet, reducing stress, trying new things, and building strong relationships. As someone who has seen late-onset dementia attack many people on the maternal side of my family, I'm doing what I can daily to try to build a defense to this disease. I hope you'll make a similar pact with yourself.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
There are two categories of Alzheimer’s disease. The first category is often called either “sporadic” Alzheimer’s or “late-onset” Alzheimer’s. This type accounts for nearly 95% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease. It affects people in older adulthood, usually after age 65, and progresses gradually. The term “sporadic” speaks to the unpredictability of this type of Alzheimer’s disease. Only about 20% of families with a history of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease are at greater risk for developing the illness in future generations.
The second type of Alzheimer’s disease is often called “familial” Alzheimer’s, or “early-onset” Alzheimer’s, and this version affects people who are usually younger than 65 or even as young as the late-thirties. This version of the illness accounts for only about 5% of the cases of Alzheimer’s, and is therefore very rare. This type has a strong history in families, and the odds of future generations developing the illness are significantly higher than the odds for someone without such a family history.
Hi, my doctor says that most of Alzheimer's patients say their parents, siblings, and grandparents have a history of ALZ.
I know that my great grandmother, grandmother, mother, and my father's father and my father all had or have it. I was diagnosed with it about 8 months ago, although I feel it has been coming on for the past couple of years.
I sometimes think that environment may have some cause also, my family all grew up in the country in Arkansas. My mother had 13 brothers and sisters and myself all of whom came down with it. I believe that the drinking water in those days, which came from creeks and streams, shallow hand dug wells, and rain barrels could have been the cause of this disease. Who knows what critters and germs lived in that water and what it had to do with their health?
I have noticed people who have lived in cities where the water was clean and healthy seem to not have it in as great numbers. I know this is not very scientific but I seems to make sense in my experience.
Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media. Remedy Health Media does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
