• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • COVID-19
  • Find A Doctor
  • Subscribe
Home / Health Conditions / Alzheimer's / Getting Older is Inevitable – Alzheimer’s and Dementia are Not

Getting Older is Inevitable – Alzheimer’s and Dementia are Not

 

Who hasn’t forgotten the name of an old friend, where they put their keys or why they went into a room for something? I know I have. And it does make you stop and wonder—am I losing my memory? As we get older, our memory does slow down a bit naturally.  But that does not signal that Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia are taking root. I am writing this article because I have seen the impact that dementia has on people that you love. When my Dad looked at me and asked who I was, it was awful.

When my Mom kept asking what day it was over and over, it required tremendous patience to soothe her.  These were two incredibly smart, wonderful people. I am committed to doing all I can to protect my brain, and to help others to do so as well. Based on research, there are things we all can do to reduce the risks of getting these debilitating and devastating symptoms and diseases of the brain.  

First, let’s provide some clarity of definition on the two from the Alzheimer’s Association:

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not. Importantly, Dementia and Alzheimer’s are not normal parts of aging. 

You May Also Like
9 Things that Happen to Your Body When You Drink Pineapple Water

Signs of dementia can vary greatly. Examples include:

  • Problems with short-term memory.
  • Keeping track of a purse or wallet.
  • Paying bills.
  • Planning and preparing meals.
  • Remembering appointments.
  • Traveling out of the neighborhood.

Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected. Many conditions are progressive, which means that the signs of dementia start out slowly and gradually get worse.

In Alzheimer’s disease, high levels of certain proteins develop inside and outside brain cells and make it hard for brain cells to stay healthy and to communicate with each other. The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged. That’s why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s.  Let’s compare normal signs of aging with sign of Alzheimer’s and Dementia:

What are the Risk Factors and How to Reduce them?

According to The Aging Brain: Proven Steps to Prevent Dementia and Sharpen Your Mind by Dr. Timothy R. Jennings, (available on Amazon) there are several risk factors that exacerbate the potential to get Alzheimer’s and Dementia. His book goes into much detail about what can cause the dangerous proteins to develop and damage our brain cells. Fortunately, Dr. Jennings cites lifestyle choices can help keep our brains sharp.  Let’s get specific:

You May Also Like
13 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar that will Change Your Life!
Continue Reading

The Latest In Alzheimer's

Business man in the subway

Alzheimer’s Disease: Black Americans Are Hardest Hit

As the aging population continues to grow, so will the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in Blacks. Worse yet, studies show that Blacks will be hit hardest. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, an estimated 5.2 read more about Alzheimer’s Disease: Black Americans Are Hardest Hit

Black History of Health: Rosa Parks

With racial tensions having reached a boiling point over the summer, it’s easy to harken back to the pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and John Lewis among many others. But one of the most read more about Black History of Health: Rosa Parks
African American Black young woman and older father having coffee

7 Tips For Traveling With Alzheimer’s

The holidays are high stress for most anyone, but adding travel to the mix can make things even more complicated. For the five million people in the U.S. living with Alzheimer's and their families, enjoying holiday travel requires careful planning. read more about 7 Tips For Traveling With Alzheimer’s
older man looking out of window

Is Your Parent Showing Signs Of Alzheimer’s? How To Tell…

Chances are, you have a friend or relative caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Not only are the numbers of new cases climbing, people are being diagnosed at younger ages than ever before. With statistics that staggering, it’s only natural read more about Is Your Parent Showing Signs Of Alzheimer’s? How To Tell…
New Alzheimer's Drug

New Alzheimer’s Drug May Slow The Progression Of Disease!

In the United States, Blacks account for twenty percent of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and are twice as likely to develop the disease than Caucasians. Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death for Americans and the 4th leading read more about New Alzheimer’s Drug May Slow The Progression Of Disease!

My Story: Alzheimer’s And A Mother’s Unforgettable Love

At 24 years old, Brittney Williams became a full-time caregiver to her mother with Alzheimer's and parent to her four youngest siblings. Though met with challenges, Brittney's powerful testimony shows that love always wins. She shares her story with BlackDoctor.org read more about My Story: Alzheimer’s And A Mother’s Unforgettable Love

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • 7 Bad Sleep Habits That Cause Weight Gain7 Bad Sleep Habits That Cause Weight Gain
  • Method Man and wife Tamika Celebrate 20 Years Married!Method Man and wife Tamika Celebrate 20 Years Married!
  • This Exercise Gets Rid of Mucus in Your ChestThis Exercise Gets Rid of Mucus in Your Chest
  • 5 Things That Stops Your Hair From Breaking Ever Again5 Things That Stops Your Hair From Breaking Ever Again
  • 10 Cities With The Highest HIV Rates10 Cities With The Highest HIV Rates

Podcast

Diabetes prevention and management podcast

Dr. LeNoir is joined by Dr. Lenore Coleman, a Pharmacist and Founder of Healing Our Village, as they offer you the tools you need to prevent and manage diabetes.

Listen Now

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2021, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.