June is National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, supporting those affected by dementia and encouraging all of us to take steps toward better brain health.
At Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH), we believe it’s important to educate our community on health matters. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, healthcare providers play a critical role in helping patients recognize symptoms, understand risk factors and access resources that can improve quality of life.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a group of conditions that affect memory, thinking and behavior. It is a progressive brain disease, meaning symptoms gradually worsen over time. Early signs may include difficulty remembering recent conversations or events, while later stages can affect a person’s ability to communicate, perform daily activities and live independently.
Although Alzheimer’s is most often diagnosed in older adults, it is not a normal part of aging. The disease occurs when abnormal proteins build up in the brain, damaging nerve cells and disrupting communication between different areas of the brain. Over time, this damage leads to a decline in cognitive function and can impact a person’s memory, judgment, language skills and personality.
One of the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease is that many people are reluctant to talk about memory concerns. Some fear losing their independence. Others worry about stigma or simply hope that symptoms will improve on their own. As a result, conversations about cognitive changes are often delayed.
We at NAH believe that primary care providers play a particularly important role in these diagnoses. They are often the first healthcare professionals to hear concerns from patients or family members. A simple question during an office visit can open the door to a discussion that might otherwise never happen.
Primary care providers can also help patients and families understand the difference between normal age-related changes and symptoms that may warrant further investigation. This education is valuable because family members are often the first to notice subtle changes in a loved one’s behavior, memory or ability to manage everyday tasks. Not every memory problem is caused by dementia, and a medical assessment can help identify potential causes and appropriate next steps.
In reality, there are many reasons why a person may experience memory or cognitive changes. Some causes may be related to medication side effects, sleep disorders, vitamin deficiencies, depression or other medical conditions. A thorough evaluation can help identify potential contributing factors and guide next steps.
Supporting brain health
Although there is no known definitive cause for Alzheimer’s disease, there are some factors that can help predict who will get it. For example, age and family history of the disease raise the risk. While you can’t control your hereditary profile, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are ways to lower your risk:
- Stay physically active: Exercise is important for keeping your heart, body and brain healthy. What is good for your body is good for your mind.
- Prevent or manage diabetes: When diabetes is not managed, important organs, such as the brain, can be damaged by too much sugar in the bloodstream.
- Manage your blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the brain by damaging blood vessels and limiting blood flow. It also increases the risk of having a stroke, which can damage the brain.
- Prevent or correct hearing loss: Hearing loss is a very important risk factor for dementia. Researchers believe having hearing loss may make the brain work harder at the expense of thinking and memory. Hearing loss also leads people to be less socially engaged, which is important to remaining intellectually stimulated.
- Try to limit or avoid drinking alcohol or smoking: Over time, excessive drinking can lead to high blood pressure or brain injuries, both of which increase the risk of dementia. Smoking also increases the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Our evolving understanding of Alzheimer’s
Research into Alzheimer’s disease continues to advance, providing hope for the future. Scientists and healthcare professionals are working to better understand the disease, improve treatments and identify new approaches to care.
During National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, NAH encourages our community to learn more about the disease, talk openly about memory concerns with your family and providers, and support those who are affected. Through awareness, education, compassionate care and community support, we can help ensure that individuals living with dementia and the people who love them receive the understanding and assistance they deserve.
Community Health Matters column
To submit a question for NAH, please email it to [email protected]. We will choose one question per month and one of our experts will answer it in our Community Health Matters column in the Arizona Daily Sun. Please note: The Arizona Daily Sun requires a subscription to access its articles.