Neurology Specialist Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ draws attention to the importance of early diagnosis in his book on Alzheimer's disease in all its aspects. Emphasizing that Alzheimer's is closely related to lifestyle, Prof. Dr. Tanrıdağ states that factors such as depression diagnosis, early retirement, low education level, chronic alcohol use, high blood pressure and sugar levels, and head impacts increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's. The book also shares 15 suggestions that will be effective in preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ, head of Üsküdar University Neuroscience Department and Neurology Specialist at NPISTANBUL Hospital, discussed Alzheimer's disease in all aspects in his new book "Don't Be Afraid of Alzheimer's, Be Afraid of Being Late".
The book, published by Boyut Publishing, includes the titles "Where does the name of the disease come from?", "What kind of brain disease is it?", "Current knowledge and understanding environment", "17 topics that confuse people", "Every Alzheimer's diagnosis is a late diagnosis!", "Is early diagnosis possible in Alzheimer's?" and "Lifestyle weapon against Alzheimer's: 15 Recommendations".
Age of onset can vary between 40-90
Emphasizing the importance of early treatment and lifestyle in the diagnosis of the disease, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ states that Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain-mind disease that does not know when it starts, and that the age of onset of Alzheimer's can vary between 40-90.
Stating that the initial symptoms can be easily misinterpreted and conditions such as age-related mental fatigue and inattention, depression, thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency can be encountered, Tanrıdağ said, "There is no widespread practice for early diagnosis. On the other hand, it is very rare that sensitive brain check-up examinations are recommended for early diagnosis. It is very important to fulfill lifestyle recommendations that protect the brain in terms of preventing the disease and slowing the rate of progression," he warns.
Third after cancer and heart disease
Stating that Alzheimer's disease is not yet a disease for which a definitive cure has been found and that studies in this field continue, Prof. Dr. Tanrıdağ draws attention to the fact that Alzheimer's disease cases are gradually increasing all over the world and that the death rate from the disease has risen to the third place after cancer and heart diseases in recent years.
Stating that the death rate from the disease in the USA increased from 17.6 per 100 thousand in 2000 to 29.3 per 100 thousand in 2014, Tanrıdağ said, "Alzheimer's disease does not seem to be a lethal disease, but various complications that increase with bed confinement due to the disease are the main factor in the increase in mortality. The incidence of Alzheimer's disease has increased with the increase in life expectancy, especially in the USA and western countries."
Incidence increases as life expectancy increases
According to the evaluations made for the 2016-2017 period, the incidence of the disease according to age groups is 4% for those under 65, 44% for the 65-74 age group, 44% for the 75-84 age group and interestingly, 38% for the 85 and over age group. Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ points out that we are in a period when life expectancy increases in general, but Alzheimer's disease also increases with age.
The disease is diagnosed late
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ evaluates the factors that lead to late diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease as follows
"Alzheimer's disease is a disease that is diagnosed late. The biggest reason for this is that it does not cause physical effects and medicine primarily understands physical effects when it comes to the disease. Therefore, most patients are diagnosed when the disease is in the middle-advanced stage. As a medical fact, late diagnosis of a disease limits the possibilities of treatment from the beginning and sometimes makes it impossible. As in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.
Wrong approaches delay diagnosis
However, there is no such concept as early diagnosis in general. The question here, as with the early diagnosis of many other diseases, is which symptoms will lead to early diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease is not a disease that gives physical warning symptoms. It is a brain disease with mental effects. Here, understandings that do not consider the mind and the brain together constitute a potential obstacle for early diagnosis. Unfortunately, this is the prevailing understanding of neurology and psychiatry in general. Therefore, for example, when a doctor is consulted for forgetfulness, if the doctor is a psychiatrist, the diagnosis is most likely to be depression, and if the doctor is a neurologist, the diagnosis is most likely to be "normal for your age". In many patients, these approaches result in delayed diagnosis of Alzheimer's and progression of the disease.
Early retirement is a risk
Alzheimer's disease is closely related to lifestyle. Almost every factor that comes to mind when we think of lifestyle is associated with the risk of the disease. For example; diagnosis of depression, early retirement, low level of education, chronic alcohol use, high blood pressure and sugar levels, and head impacts. All of these increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, measures to be taken against these factors, in short, awareness and lifestyle are important.
These suggestions should be heeded against Alzheimer's
In his book, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ emphasizes the importance of lifestyle in Alzheimer's disease and gives important advice on preventing the disease. Here are those recommendations:
"Don't 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! Get rid of your status!
Stop sitting in the center of the world!
Trust your emotions before your logic!
Controlled starvation is recommended!
Alternative medicine has nothing to do with it!
If you are going to solve puzzles, prefer sudoku!
Stay away from hate, 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!
Stay away from long news and discussion programs on TV!
Regular sex life stimulates the brain!"