Women
Network >> Health
& Environment
 |
Women and Alzheimer
Women are only slightly more likely to develop Alzheimer's than men, its prevalence among women is twice as high simply because women live longer, with a life expectancy of 80 years versus 75 for men, means that half of all women over 85 in the US will eventually develop Alzheimer.
Women have unique health conditions that boost their risk of Alzheimer as they have to struggle with high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity that will increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's.
When proteins in the brain stop performing their normal function and instead cluster into two types of lesions: neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, that's when Alzheimer begun. By over time, these brain lesions will start to kill brain cells and erode learning, memory and reason.
The typical Alzheimer's caregiver is a 46-year-old married woman who works outside the home. Social and emotional factors play a part to take on the caregiving role of Alzheimer. Women have more of a sense of responsibility and a more natural urge to take care of others.
But the good news is that women can take some steps to protect from Alzheimer's. By getting regular exercise, eating lots of fruits, vegetables and fish, and keeping the mind active can help ward off the disease. So can taking a pass on hormone replacement therapy, which can double the risk of Alzheimer's.And if the patients start showing signs of confusion or memory loss, getting diagnosed and taking medication early can slow the Alzheimer's progression.
Women have unique health conditions that boost their risk of Alzheimer as they have to struggle with high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity that will increase the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's.
When proteins in the brain stop performing their normal function and instead cluster into two types of lesions: neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, that's when Alzheimer begun. By over time, these brain lesions will start to kill brain cells and erode learning, memory and reason.
The typical Alzheimer's caregiver is a 46-year-old married woman who works outside the home. Social and emotional factors play a part to take on the caregiving role of Alzheimer. Women have more of a sense of responsibility and a more natural urge to take care of others.
But the good news is that women can take some steps to protect from Alzheimer's. By getting regular exercise, eating lots of fruits, vegetables and fish, and keeping the mind active can help ward off the disease. So can taking a pass on hormone replacement therapy, which can double the risk of Alzheimer's.And if the patients start showing signs of confusion or memory loss, getting diagnosed and taking medication early can slow the Alzheimer's progression.
Home
Women Partner
Links to this post:
Create a Link
~ back home