Researchers do not believe Alzheimer’s disease has one specific cause. Instead, a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle risk factors can contribute to the condition.
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that affects the way your brain works. In early stages of the disease, people often experience memory loss.
It’s a progressive disease, which means the symptoms affect people more and more as time passes. People with late stage Alzheimer’s often need help with most of their everyday activities, such as eating, dressing, and bathing.
Researchers are still not sure exactly what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but certain factors can increase your likelihood of developing this incurable disease.
You may be able to modify some risk factors by changing certain lifestyle habits. You can also talk with a doctor about what else you can do to lower your risk.
Causes and risk factors you can modify
Head trauma
People who have experienced serious head injuries are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The risk increases if the injury involves losing consciousness or happens repeatedly, such as in contact sports.
By wearing a helmet during contact sports such as football and hockey or avoiding these activities altogether, you may be able to reduce your chances of experiencing this type of injury.
Smoking
Researchers have
High blood pressure
High blood pressure may increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. According to a
Obesity
In a study with more than 10,000 participants that was published in 2007, researchers found that a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or greater (overweight) was associated with
Lack of physical activity
A low level of physical activity has been
While there is no specific exercise regimen that can prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s, many types of physical activity and exercise may benefit brain health, according to a
The review authors looked at a variety of studies that used aerobic, muscle development, and body condition workouts for varying lengths of time. They found that any activity was helpful.
The following are some types of exercise that may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease:
- aerobic exercise, such as:
- walking
- running
- dancing
- biking
- swimming
- muscle development exercises, such as:
- weightlifting
- use of gym equipment
- dumbbell exercises
- body conditioning exercises, such as:
- situps
- pushups
- lunges
- squats
Lack of mental activity
Mental activity might be as important as physical activity for decreasing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Examples of mental activities
- taking a class
- socializing with family and friends
- volunteering in your community
- playing board games or cards
- reading
These mental activities may help maintain your cognitive (thinking) ability. Social interaction also helps. The key is to pick activities that challenge you.
Researchers are not sure why this works. One theory is that these challenges help your brain develop more
Diet
A heart-healthy diet may benefit cognitive function, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet may lower your risk of both heart disease and dementia.
These diets involve:
- eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy
- eating poultry, fish, and whole grains
- eating foods that are low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol
- limiting red meat, sweets, sugary beverages, and sodium
Causes and risk factors you cannot modify
Age
Alzheimer’s is not a natural part of growing older, but older age is a risk factor for developing it. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 1 in 9 people ages 65 and older in the United States have Alzheimer’s, and 73% of them are 75 or older.
Gender
Women outnumber men when it comes to Alzheimer’s. In fact, almost two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer’s in the United States are women.
By the time they reach 65 years of age, women have a 20% chance of developing Alzheimer’s. Women in their 60s are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as they are to get breast cancer.
One of the main reasons women may have higher rates of Alzheimer’s than men is that women tend to live longer, on average, and older age is a significant risk factor for the condition. But researchers have started to explore whether women may be at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s because of biological or genetic differences, regardless of age.
Genes
Researchers have found two classes of genes related to Alzheimer’s: deterministic genes and risk genes.
Deterministic genes nearly guarantee that people will develop the disease if they live long enough. People with deterministic genes often develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s sometime in their early 40s through their mid-50s.
But this is rare: Deterministic genes cause about 1% of all Alzheimer’s cases.
People with risk genes may or may not develop the disease, but they’re more likely to develop it than people without risk genes. The gene that’s most commonly associated with Alzheimer’s is called apolipoprotein E-e4 (APOE-e4).
Family history
Alzheimer’s often runs in families. If you have a parent, sibling, or child with the disease, you’re more likely to develop it yourself. Your risk goes up if multiple family members have Alzheimer’s. This could be due to genes, lifestyle factors, or a combination of the two.
The gene APOE-e4 plays a role here too. APOE-e4 coupled with a family history of the disease significantly increases your risk.
Brain abnormalities
Scientists have identified brain abnormalities in people who are likely to later develop Alzheimer’s.
One is the presence of tiny clumps of protein known as plaques. The other is twisted protein strands or tangles.
Inflammation, tissue shrinkage, and loss of connection between brain cells are other clues that Alzheimer’s may develop.
Can someone avoid getting Alzheimer’s?
It’s not possible to prevent Alzheimer’s because its exact causes are not well understood. However, eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising, engaging in mentally challenging activities, lowering your blood pressure, and protecting your head during physical activities such as contact sports may lower your risk.
What are the early signs of Alzheimer’s?
In early stages of Alzheimer’s, people often experience memory loss, such as forgetting conversations, events, and the names of familiar people and places. As the disease progresses, the symptoms can include:
- trouble with familiar tasks, such as using a microwave
- difficulties with problem-solving
- trouble with speech or writing
When should I speak with my doctor about symptoms?
You should speak with a doctor if you’re having problems with memory loss that are out of the ordinary for you and experiencing difficulties with thinking. It’s also a good idea to talk with a doctor if relatives or friends who spend a lot of time around you have noticed a decrease in your memory.
Make an appointment with a doctor if you’re concerned about your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Keep a journal of any memory problems or other symptoms you’re having and go over it at your appointment.
Although there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, an early diagnosis will allow you to start treatment that can help you manage your symptoms and possibly slow down the progression of the disease.