5 signs of Alzheimer's
If you notice these symptoms, you should see a doctor straight away - they are serious signs of Alzheimer's!
1 Forgetfulness: People with dementia often ask the same questions over and over again in conversation. Names of relatives, birthdays and appointments are often forgotten by those affected.
2 Language: Unclear sentences that are difficult to understand can be the first signs of Alzheimer's disease. Those affected often forget what they actually wanted to say and then say something. Or they can no longer think of certain words - these are then replaced by sometimes completely inappropriate filler words because the sufferers do not want to admit that something is wrong.
3 Orientation: They find it difficult to remember landmarks, especially in unfamiliar surroundings. They sometimes even have problems finding their way home in their own neighborhood. And they often don't know what day of the week it is.
4 Clothing: Patients with Alzheimer's often wear clothes that don't match the season at all. Or they wear a motley assortment of outfits.
5 Personality: Many people with Alzheimer's become easily irritable, start fights more often and become extremely suspicious. Major mood swings can also be a sign of Alzheimer's.
The four pillars: Preventing Alzheimer's
Everything that keeps the gray cells fit and agile for a long time helps to prevent Alzheimer's.
1 Diet: Experts recommend a Mediterranean diet. This means: lots of fruit and vegetables, little red meat, milk and dairy products, but more poultry and olive oil. A good rapeseed or sunflower oil also works, the essential fatty acids are important. Equally important are vitamins E, C and provitamin A - contained in avocado, carrots, peppers and berries. And: an English study found that vitamin D deficiency greatly increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
2 Exercise: "In a healthy body lives a healthy mind", as the old Roman saying goes. Several international studies confirm this: exercise promotes mental performance and is the best prevention against Alzheimer's disease. This is because the brain is better supplied with blood and new nerve cells are formed in the hippocampus. It doesn't matter how and where you exercise, it's the regularity that counts. Experts recommend half an hour a day and preferably gentle sports such as cycling, swimming or walking.
3 Social life: A constant exchange with other people challenges and stimulates the brain. Because when news and thoughts are exchanged in conversations, new synapses are formed between the brain cells, they are linked with each other and information is exchanged and stored. An American study found that people who have little contact with other people become ill. Loneliness is as harmful as smoking, high blood pressure and obesity - and even more dangerous than a lack of exercise.
4 Brain training: Our gray cells want to be challenged. If you don't demand anything of your brain, it becomes sluggish, because it is like a muscle that needs exercise. There is nothing wrong with learning a new language, for example, even at an advanced age. This keeps you mentally agile. Also good: read the newspaper and books regularly, play card games such as skat or even bridge and, above all, stay curious and interested in your surroundings!