Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

Glowing X-ray image of human brain in blue wireframe on isolated black background.

An estimated 6.7 million older Americans have Alzheimer's disease in the United States.

That number is expected to double by 2060.1 In Tennessee, more than 129,000 people are living with Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia. It accounts for 60% to 80% of cases.

Cause

Many factors play a role in causing Alzheimer's, including genetics, behaviors and habits.2

Symptoms

Symptoms include problems with short-term memory, paying bills, preparing meals, remembering appointments or getting lost in familiar areas.

Risks

Having a close relative (like a parent or sibling) with Alzheimer's disease increases your chance of developing it. However, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk, such as being physically active and controlling your blood pressure.3

If you think you or a loved one may have Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, talk to a healthcare provider.

Lower your risk of dementia with healthy lifestyle habits.

Nearly 45% of all dementia cases may be prevented or delayed by making healthy lifestyle choices.4 These choices can also help lower your risk of other chronic diseases.

Lifestyle habits to keep your brain healthy:

  1. Stay physically active. Regular physical activity can help you prevent, delay or manage chronic diseases. Experts recommend adults get 150 minutes of physical activity each week.
  2. Eat healthy.
    1. The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish and other seafood, unsaturated fats such as olive oils and low amounts of red meat, eggs and sweets.
    2. The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, or MIND diet, is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and the DASH (Dietary to Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. Several studies have shown that treating and reducing high blood pressure may help reduce the risk of dementia. The MIND diet emphasizes green leafy vegetables, berries, whole grains, beans, nuts, one or more weekly servings of fish and olive oil. It also limits servings of red meat, sweets, cheese, butter or margarine and fast or fried food.
  3. Prevent or manage diabetes. When diabetes is not managed, important organs like the brain can be damaged by too much sugar in the bloodstream. The good news is Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Learn how to manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
  4. Manage your blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and limit blood flow to the brain. It also increases the risk of having a stroke, which can also damage the brain.
  5. Try to limit or avoid drinking alcohol and smoking.
    1. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
    2. Quit smoking to reduce your risk of dementia. Quitting smoking reduces your risks of dementia, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Talk with your healthcare provider about your health and any concerns.

Resources: