Why are more people getting Alzheimer’s disease?

Have you ever wondered why there is an increase in the number of Alzheimer’s disease cases being diagnosed? Why is it happening? How is it happening? What is causing the increase?

There is certainly enough research going on around the world in the search for a cure or a magic pill. And many of us have been hoping for years that a cure would have been found. I was hoping they would have found a cure in 1996 when my mother had Alzheimer’s disease. She passed away in 2000. It’s now 2015. How many people’s hopes and lives have been shattered and broken over those years.

Did you know that one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is memory problems?

If memory problems are one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, then we need to find out what is causing these memory problems in the first place. There always has to be a cause – it just does not happen on its own. So, if you have noticed that your memory is slipping a little bit here and there, don’t ignore it or pretend it is not happening. This is the time when you should be very aware and start to do something about it.

There may be a number of reasons why it is increasing. Here is one example of why there is an increase in Alzheimer’s disease.

Let’s look at one section of the community, the 60 years and over age group. There is not a day goes by without someone having a fall. So why are falls of any interest or importance and what has it got to do with the increase in Alzheimer’s disease?

One extremely interesting fact I have found in my research, is that the majority of falls are all on the same level due to slipping, tripping or stumbling – and they are the most common cause of hospitalised injury.

According to studies, about one third of fall injury cases resulted in injuries to the hip and thigh and the majority of these were hip fractures. After a hip fracture, surgery is usually required.

Have you ever heard of Post Operative Cognitive Dysfunction or POCD?

Post Operative Cognitive Dysfunction is “Memory loss after anaesthesia” and is a common adverse event after surgery. I believe not many people are aware of POCD, but it is a well known condition in the medical world.

Many studies have been conducted on this type of memory loss, one of which reports:

“The incidence of POCD in the first week after surgery is 23% in patients between 60 and 69 years of age and 29% in patients older than 70. Cognitive dysfunction was still present in 14% of patients over 70 at three months after surgery”.

Experts say the mass study supported findings from previous research, linking POCD with the development of plaques that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

With the amount of falls that are occurring, and the connection with Post Operative Cognitive Dysfunction, do you think that this may be one reason why Alzheimer’s disease is increasing?

This is food for thought, and I’ll let you decide for yourself. I believe it is important to be aware and have as much knowledge as possible in order to look after our health the best we can.

In my next article, I will give you more information on how to best improve your bone health and to ensure as much as possible, that your bones are strong so that if you do have a fall, your chances of having a hip fracture will be much less.

Do you know someone who has had a fall and fractured their hip?