Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Week – Put Your Mind at Ease
We all forget things now and then, and we’re constantly asking ourselves things like, ‘Where are my sunglasses?’, ‘Where did I put my car keys?’, and ‘Did I leave the stove on?’ Most of the time, we dismiss these things in ourselves and others, but occasionally, alarm bells ring when we notice these things becoming a more common or frequent occurrence.
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Between 50 and 60% of all dementia cases can be attributed to Alzheimer’s. It is predicted more than 1.5 million people in the Philippines will have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease within the next 30 years, and worldwide, an estimated 46 million people live with dementia. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, however, scientists believe that it is triggered as a result of a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s increases with age, but there are other factors that can contribute to the onset of this disease.
Some of the characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Memory loss
- repeatedly misplacing things
- trouble recognizing and dealing with numbers
- difficulty finding the right word
- disorientation (confusion about the time and date, and their surroundings)
- loss of judgment
- difficulty in performing familiar tasks like cooking, dressing, brushing your teeth
- changes in personality.
There are a number of major factors that have been linked to the onset of Alzheimer’s, including:
- Diabetes
- Midlife hypertension
- Midlife obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Depression
- Smoking
Obviously, some of these factors can be minimized by a change in lifestyle and life choices, but did you know that there is a genetic link to Alzheimer’s disease? If you have a parent, sister or brother with Alzheimer’s disease, then you have what is called a genetic predisposition, which means that your chances of developing the disease is higher than normal. Some people have an existing predisposition to many conditions, and Alzheimer’s disease is no exception.
In the Philippines, Alzheimer’s disease Awareness Week is in the 3rd week in September and aims to highlight the issues that need to be addressed in regards to this disease.
EasyDNA Philippines is on board with Alzheimer’s disease Awareness Week and suggests the Genetic Predisposition Test for those who are curious about their genetic susceptibility to this terrible disease.
The Genetic Predisposition Test gives peace of mind about Alzheimer’s and 34 other common conditions. Our scientists analyze your unique DNA, checking against the markers associated with the onset of 34 diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s. The test is easy and painless, requiring only oral swabs. Your DNA samples will be analyzed, and the results returned to you in a timely manner.
It’s time to take charge of your health future. Use your brain and take a Genetic Predisposition Test to discover if you are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease.