In this day and age protecting our brains is very important
By rebelann1949
@rebelann (112879)
El Paso, Texas
September 6, 2016 8:39am CST
I've noticed there are many mylotters dealing with a parents dementia problems and after what my mom went through I am researching the possibility to prevent myself from getting it, the last thing I'd want is to become a burden on society and since I don't have kids I'd be at the mercy of a nursing home or worse my nephews so keeping my brain healthy is important to me.
I've added a link to an article I'm in the process of trying to totally comprehend and I hope it will help those of you who are dealing with parents who have dementia now.
http://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia/alzheimers-and-dementia-prevention.htm
10 people like this
9 responses
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
6 Sep 16
I fear that dementia is in our genes and there is nothing that can stop the process. Just like Jabo, I had a very kind aunt that was very active and she did everything she could to keep her mind and brain active, but she finally was unable to stop dementia.
3 people like this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Sep 16
I have to wonder if maybe scientists don't really know the difference between Alzheimers and dementia, I once read that Alzheimers is can be hereditary whereas dementia is not, but scientists seem to get things wrong sometimes don't they?
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
7 Sep 16
@rebelann Yes, there is proof that is associated with mutations in genes and that there is a genetic risk factor to develop the disease. This does not mean that everybody who has someone in the family with the disease will be affected, but there is a risk. There is no difference between Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Alzheimer's is the terminal stage of dementia.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Sep 16
That's what confuses me @LadyDuck when I took care of mom she had ventricular dementia and according to the cardiovascular doctor it was not the same as Alzheimer's, he told me Alzheimer's would destroy brain cells whereas dementia would not and as long as mom got enough blood to her brain she would go in and out of cognition. She passed away last year at 99 but because she couldn't hear us we have no way of knowing if she understood anything. She did smile at me when I would sing to her but I have no clue if she could hear me.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
6 Sep 16
I wonder if there is really anything we can do to keep our brain healthy? I would think that good nutrition (fruits, nuts, vegetables, greens), some form of daily exercise or activity, and mental activity (reading, conversations, curiosity) would help.
2 people like this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Sep 16
Meats, fish, eggs etc @1hopefulman you can't get it from any form of veggie.
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@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Sep 16
Yes, I know a few people whose parents got Alzheimers and in those cases they were told nothing could be done to stop the disease but when mom was diagnosed with Ventricular Dementia I was told that had she been younger (she was 93) they could have put stents in the carotid artery and remove the plaque that was causing her dementia. I honestly believe that there must be at least a hundred different causes for dementia and that some of those causes can be cured and will help a person avoid dementia.
2 people like this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Sep 16
I just read that more people are getting it simply because more people are living longer @jaboUK but they did seem to think .... I am stressing think here cuz they never seem to agree with themselves 20 years later .... that it mostly affects people over the age of 80.
2 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
7 Sep 16
i'd a dear friend who lost her hubs to alzheimers...'t the age 'f 54. the doc's didn't believe her fer years (he'd signs 'f such fer 'bout 8 years 'fore he t'was properly diagnosed). i dunno if'n there's a way to prevent such? but i sure hope they find cures soon.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Sep 16
I've read that Alzheimers is a disease of the brain where the brain cells are slowly destroyed.
Ma's cardiovascular doc told me she had ventricular dementia which could have been cured if she'd been young enough for them to put stents in her carotid arteries. Turns out that if she got enough blood flow to her brain she'd be cognitive but as she got older that just didn't happen much. He also told me that her hearing problem was makin the whole thing worse
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
7 Sep 16
If ma had been in her 80s she could have gotten those stents which would have enhanced the blood flow to her brain @crazyhorseladycx well, all isn't that bad really, she lived to be 99.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
7 Sep 16
@rebelann that's most interestin' 'n quite sad 's well. 
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@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
10 Sep 16
I know from past research that B12 is essential for the healing process @DianneN I stepped up my intake after my surgery and I believe it actually did help ..... I started eating more eggs, fish and chicken, I don't believe in supplements.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
10 Sep 16
@rebelann Proteins could help. I also heard taking organic coconut oil every day is beneficial.
The doctor is positive that my husband will regain the use of his arms in 4-6 weeks. I feel so relieved! His pain is what we're dealing with. I'm so exhausted that my eyes burn.
1 person likes this
@marsha32 (6631)
• United States
6 Sep 16
They had us get puzzle books for hubby's mother, but she was already gone by then.
I would like to think that with everything I do that my brain is staying active and healthy, but others may be right that if you are going to get it, you are going to get it.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112879)
• El Paso, Texas
6 Sep 16
I wonder about that. One article I read back in 2010 suggested that Alzheimers is hereditary but dementia is not and that some forms of dementia can be reversed such as the type brought on by hearing loss.
@seerat_11 (90)
• Amritsar, India
6 Sep 16
That is true. We often neglect our brain health and focus on heart problems and more without realising that it is the brain that controls all the organs.. Keep it healthy, as a result everything will be fine.
1 person likes this
