Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder.
There are several dementias and Alzheimer's disease is probably the most common.
It is a killer and even before death, the individual is virtually dead and doesn't exist.
This is because there is a near total loss of memory.
The affected individual has no idea regarding his past or, present.
It is typically a disease of ageing and usually strikes after the age of 65.
The risk increases in proportion to increase in age and the risk is as much as 60% after the age of 80.
Although it is a disease of ageing, several factors increase the risk for acquiring Alzheimer's disease.
Smoking Smokers are at risk for several diseases, the most important being cancer.
Chronic smokers also run the risk of getting dementia including Alzheimer's disease.
The risk decreases when an individual quits early.
Obesity Obesity at any age is a risk.
For example, childhood obesity may increase the risk for adult diabetes and heart disease.
When there is obesity after the age of 40, there is increased risk for getting Alzheimer's disease in later life.
Hypertension Hypertension refers to a state of increased blood pressure.
Increased blood pressure promotes the occurrence of strokes and coronary heart disease.
When hypertension is present after the age of 40, future prospects for avoiding Alzheimer's disease are bleak.
Educational level The educational level of an individual plays an important role in avoiding several diseases.
The exact connection between lack of education and disease promotion is not very clear.
Low level of education also plays a very important role in neurodegenerative disorders.
When an individual has low educational standards, his chances of getting Alzheimer's disease are very high.
Diabetes Diabetes is a complicated and chronic metabolic disorder.
The disease affects most parts of the body.
One of the tissues affected by diabetes is the brain and the condition is known as diabetic neuropathy.
Diabetes also increases the risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Sleep loss All individuals need to sleep for anything from six to eight hours.
Even the loss of a single night's sleep can produce discomfort and lack of coordination.
Chronic sleep loss can produce several diseases.
Insomnia increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes and obesity.
Chronic insomnia can also elevate the risk for some forms of cancer.
The tissue most affected by sleep loss on a regular basis, is the brain.
Thus, decreased level of alertness and poor judgement are common if there is sleep loss.
Sleep debt can also promote the onset of Alzheimer's disease.