BHOPAL : “If you want to avoid the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease engage yourself in some exercises like crossword puzzles, word puzzles, reading or engaging in a hobby like playing bridge or chess and other mental exercises on a regular basis. Professionals like doctors, engineers, lawyers and others are less likely to get this disease as they do rigorous mental exercise,” said Dr Deepak Chaturvedi.
Dr Chaturvedi was addressing a press conference on the eve of ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’ on Sunday. He further said, “Contrary to the belief the Alzheimer’s is not an old age disease. Some people (approximately five percent) start developing the symptoms as early as in the age of 25-30 years. It increases with time and till the person reaches an age group of 50-55 years it takes him over completely. More than 5 crore people suffer from it worldwide and more than 600 billion dollars is spent on their treatment. One out of ten persons in the world is suffering from it. Nearly five million patients of the disease were in India.”
Dr Chaturvedi said, “Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. It is mostly associated with old age in our country which is not right. Dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotions. Symptoms may include loss of memory, difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulties in performing previously routine tasks and personality or mood changes. Its symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time. Obstruction in the neuron network in the brain causes Alzheimer’s. Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells.”
He added, “Excessive use of alcohol, smoking, sleeping pills, tobacco, diabetes, hypertension, sedentary lifestyle and obesity can be attributed to be the main causes of the disease. Genetic or hereditary is also one of the main causes of the disease. It can be controlled by spreading awareness, by taking a balanced healthy diet with less animal protein and more green vegetables. Avoid packaged food and food with high trans fat levels. It responds well to music therapy.”
