Nothing is harder than having someone you love forget who you are. While Alzheimers affects one in ten people over the age of 65, almost five percent of adults between the ages of 40 and 60 are diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. Surprisingly enough, 99 percent of Alzheimer cases are not hereditary. In the remaining one percent, those with the hereditary gene can develop Alzheimers as early as in their early 30s.
Fortunately, there are several ways to combat the risk of developing the disease. Here are five habits you might have that are increasing the risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimers at an early age:
1. Not getting enough sleep
Are you having difficulty getting a full nights sleep? Research shows that people with chronic sleeping problems such as insomnia and sleep apnea are more at risk to develop Alzheimers later on in life. The same research found in a study involving 7,500 women that those who received less than an average of six hours of sleep each night were 36% more likely to develop Alzheimers.
To combat this, make sure youre sticking to a regular sleeping schedule. If you wake up early during the week, make sure you wake up at the same time on the weekends. Make your bedroom a quiet and clean place for sleep, not a place for scrolling social media. If necessary, take some natural non-addictive sleep aids, such as Melatonin.
2. Ignoring chronic illnesses
Untreated hypertension and diabetes are two of the greatest risk factors for dementia. For both diseases, medication, diet, exercise and frequent visits with your physician can lower the risks drastically.
3. Eating a poor diet
We all know the importance of eating a well-balanced diet for the sake of our weight and heart, but did you know the food you eat also makes a difference for your brain?
Studies have found that white breads, pasta, microwave popcorn, and processed meats and cheeses have all been linked to memory loss and Alzheimers. Our brain needs healthy fats, lean proteins, vitamins and minerals to function properly. Walnuts, eggs and blueberries are a few of the many brain foods that can help reduce the risk of Alzheimers. Find ways to incorporate these foods into your diet to improve your brain's health.
4. Not exercising your body
Physical activity helps the brain not only by keeping the blood flowing, but by creating healthy endorphins, which protect the brain. Exercising on a regular basis can also improve memory, reasoning and judgement and even delay the symptoms of Alzheimers.
5. Not exercising your mind
Exercising your mind is just as important as exercising your body. According to the Alzheimers Association, keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells and connections.
Games like crossword puzzles and chess can help keep the brain stimulated and reduce the risk of developing dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimers.
These bad habits are not an absolute guarantee that you will develop Alzheimers disease, but combatting these risk factors will definitely improve your mental health. Find ways to incorporate better health habits to keep your mind and your body as healthy as possible.
Fortunately, there are several ways to combat the risk of developing the disease. Here are five habits you might have that are increasing the risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimers at an early age:
1. Not getting enough sleep
Are you having difficulty getting a full nights sleep? Research shows that people with chronic sleeping problems such as insomnia and sleep apnea are more at risk to develop Alzheimers later on in life. The same research found in a study involving 7,500 women that those who received less than an average of six hours of sleep each night were 36% more likely to develop Alzheimers.
To combat this, make sure youre sticking to a regular sleeping schedule. If you wake up early during the week, make sure you wake up at the same time on the weekends. Make your bedroom a quiet and clean place for sleep, not a place for scrolling social media. If necessary, take some natural non-addictive sleep aids, such as Melatonin.
2. Ignoring chronic illnesses
Untreated hypertension and diabetes are two of the greatest risk factors for dementia. For both diseases, medication, diet, exercise and frequent visits with your physician can lower the risks drastically.
3. Eating a poor diet
We all know the importance of eating a well-balanced diet for the sake of our weight and heart, but did you know the food you eat also makes a difference for your brain?
Studies have found that white breads, pasta, microwave popcorn, and processed meats and cheeses have all been linked to memory loss and Alzheimers. Our brain needs healthy fats, lean proteins, vitamins and minerals to function properly. Walnuts, eggs and blueberries are a few of the many brain foods that can help reduce the risk of Alzheimers. Find ways to incorporate these foods into your diet to improve your brain's health.
4. Not exercising your body
Physical activity helps the brain not only by keeping the blood flowing, but by creating healthy endorphins, which protect the brain. Exercising on a regular basis can also improve memory, reasoning and judgement and even delay the symptoms of Alzheimers.
5. Not exercising your mind
Exercising your mind is just as important as exercising your body. According to the Alzheimers Association, keeping the brain active seems to increase its vitality and may build its reserves of brain cells and connections.
Games like crossword puzzles and chess can help keep the brain stimulated and reduce the risk of developing dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimers.
These bad habits are not an absolute guarantee that you will develop Alzheimers disease, but combatting these risk factors will definitely improve your mental health. Find ways to incorporate better health habits to keep your mind and your body as healthy as possible.