Experts warning about Alzheimer's, one of the most important health problems of today, point out that individuals forgetting what they have forgotten or not accepting their forgetting may be a sign of Alzheimer's. Neurology specialist Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ emphasizes that the situation where a person asks again what was said a few minutes ago as if he/she did not hear it or repeats his/her own words forgetting them is also a danger sign for Alzheimer's. Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ states that women are more likely to get Alzheimer's disease than men, chronic depression increases the risk of Alzheimer's twice, and underlines that alternative medicine methods are not a cure for Alzheimer's.
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ made evaluations about the factors leading to Alzheimer's disease and remarkable prevention methods.
Forgetfulness has increased in recent years
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ noted that as more and more data enters the brain every day during the course of life, the mind classifies this data in order to maintain its fluidity, and said: "It distinguishes between similar and dissimilar, repetitive and non-repetitive, rare and frequent, exciting and unexciting, and dangerous and non-dangerous. Among these data, those that are considered ordinary, those that are similar and repetitive, and those that are less important for the person's tomorrow are freed from the individual's attention grasp and these are more difficult to remember than the others. We call this forgetting. In recent years, forgetfulness has increased at the same time as awareness has increased. As the complexity of life and the flow of information and data increases, we naturally forget more. As the reflection of this data in the media, internet and educational environments has increased in recent years, our awareness of forgetfulness has increased as in every subject. With the increase in life expectancy, people's interest in forgetfulness has also increased."
The same rate of forgetfulness in men and women is different!
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said that there is no difference between the reasons why women and men forget and continued his words as follows:
"There may be a difference in forgetting rates. In general, women live on average 10 years longer than men. This is a reason for excess forgetting in terms of the relationship between old age and forgetting. Anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency, hypothyroidism and depression, which are considered among the factors that trigger forgetting, are more common in women. The decrease in estrogen hormone due to menopause can be considered as another cause of forgetfulness. Forgetting what you have forgotten or not accepting that you have forgotten, asking again by pretending that you have never heard what you have just been told, or repeating what you have said by forgetting what you have said should be considered as a danger sign without the need for any other symptoms."
Chronic depression doubles the risk
Stating that the reason for forgetting, which varies across societies and races, can only be explained by the life span factor, Tanrıdağ said: "As a general rule, Alzheimer's disease is more common in societies that live longer and less common in societies that live shorter. For example, it is more common in Sweden and less common in Somalia. This is not related to genetic and racial characteristics, but it can be considered as a social and medical issue. Events such as divorce, death, dismissal from work or school have an effect on forgetfulness. These causes are primarily due to depression. Studies have shown that chronic depression at least doubles the risk of Alzheimer's disease. It is a fact that many early Alzheimer's cases with forgetfulness are diagnosed with depression. It is important to note that if forgetfulness is noticeable after suffering and loss after the age of 60, it is necessary to investigate not only the possibility of depression but also the possibility of Alzheimer's disease. Late-onset depression and Alzheimer's are like the egg-chicken example in terms of cause-and-effect relationship."
Alternative medicine is not a cure for Alzheimer's
Tanrıdağ said that the issue that should be emphasized is not forgetfulness but pathological forms of forgetfulness and continued his words as follows
"This distinction is important because when the problem is treated as forgetfulness at a general level, a social paranoia is created. The alternative medicine sector benefits from this situation. However, it is important to note that alternative medicine recommendations and methods for Alzheimer's disease have no benefit for patients. The fear of getting Alzheimer's only serves to increase the lies of alternative medicine. Recommendations such as carrot juice, pineapple juice, black grapes are absolutely useless. There is a serious disease that has not been solved for 100 years and whose genetic risks have not yet been fully revealed. The two leading specialties in diagnosing Alzheimer's patients are neurology and psychiatry. For the time being, except for small groups of doctors on both sides, this disease is understood with the knowledge of 50-60 years ago, not with new information. Although it is not yet a completely solved disease, it is on the list of solutions. Just as we have to wait for the cure of malaria, tuberculosis, epilepsy and many types of cancer, we have to wait for Alzheimer's, but this waiting should not be a fatalistic waiting. It should be a waiting that is characterized by increased awareness."
ATTENTION if the location of everyday items is forgotten!
Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ shared the following forgetfulness that can lead to Alzheimer's disease and should be considered even if it happens once:
- If the house or houses that have been owned for 50 years and have not been lived in in recent years are forgotten to exist or where they are,
- Difficulty remembering the location of items that are used frequently on a daily basis,
- If a President who died 15 - 20 years ago is being confused with the present President,
- When people who were well known and known to be dead are referred to as if they were still alive,
- If the names and ages of 5 to 6, not very many, grandchildren are confused,
- These symptoms are important signs of Alzheimer's if the person does not admit to forgetting when the above-mentioned things are said.
It is not Alzheimer's but being late that should be feared
Stating that it would be more realistic to talk about brain and morale-boosting factors while explaining the recommendations against Alzheimer's, Tanrıdağ said, "Alzheimer's is a disease that starts in the brain, weakens the brain and is also linked to depression. In this context, instead of waiting for when the disease will occur, it would be realistic to make some suggestions about lifestyle and it would have positive effects on the morale of the society."
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdag shared the lifestyle recommendations that should be adopted against Alzheimer's as follows:
- Do not believe the myths about the disease,
- Don't live alone, don't stay at home,
- Don't do the same things all the time, try new things,
- Don't be a person of your age! Stand out from your status,
- Stop sitting in the center of the world,
- Trust your intuition before your logic,
- Controlled fasting is recommended, fasting may correspond to this recommendation.
- Alternative medicine is of no use,
- Don't retire early and retreat into your shell,
- If you want to solve puzzles, choose sudoku,
- Avoid hatred and think positively,
- Go to the places of your childhood and youth,
- Listen to music, sing if possible,
- Don't read the newspaper first thing in the morning,
- Avoid news and discussion programs on television as much as possible,
- Prefer to watch documentaries, TV series, music and cooking shows,
- Regular sex stimulates the brain,
- If you have a family history of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, consider your genetic risk.
- If you are over 65, have an annual brain check-up, even if there is no apparent cause.
