What's on your Mind?

Have you ever walked into a room but forgot why you came there? Or temporarily misplaced your keys, spending a few minutes on this witch-hunt? Have you then had this worrisome feeling that you may be developing Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is one of the most unforgiving diseases. A person whom you were once very close to is suddenly out of reach. Memories that have once held loved ones together start teetering away.

If you have not been personally affected by Alzheimer’s, you sure have seen it on the big screen. Tony Soprano’s mother and uncle serve as staunch reminders of what this disease is capable of doing.

The cause and treatment of Alzheimer’s is still a mystery. Through clinical trials and research studies, scientists familiarize themselves more with the disease but are still unable to combat it. This hereditary illness lingers over the active minds of many people, fearing one day that they will feel completely lost and alone in their own home.

What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s? Age, genes, and family history play a role. These elements increase the likelihood of developing the disease; they do not serve as a guarantee or exclusion. Nevertheless, we can take precautions such as protecting ourselves against brain injury, keeping our heart healthy, and maintaining the ever-so-famous “mens sana, corpora sana” [sound mind, sound body].

The occasional forgetfulness and the frequent use of post-its as reminders are a part of the normal age related memory changes; they do not necessarily indicate the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Nevertheless, it may be beneficial to continuously exercise your mind through crossword puzzles, sudukos, memorization games, and running down the laundry list of errands you completed at the end of they day.

Exercising your mind is just as important as eating right.