Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder causing brain cells to degenerate. It dies, leading to a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral, and social skills. It is observed that Alzheimer's is the common cause of dementia, where a person's ability to function independently is completely disturbed.
Science suggests that it develops over time. However, it is not necessarily a part of aging. Still, it is a result of neuroinflammation or imbalanced inflammation in the brain, damaging the nerve cells. The exact cause of the disease is not yet understood fully, though several things do increase your chances of developing this condition, some of them are listed below:
- Aging
- Family history
- Depression
- Lifestyle factors
- Cardiovascular diseases to some extent
As you know, the condition develops gradually over time; you may not be able to figure out the symptoms which start from minor memory issues and become severe with time. Here are some of the common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty making decisions or planning out something
- Issues with speech
- Facing problems while moving around without assistance
- Difficulty in performing self-care tasks
- Personality changes such as aggression, demanding nature, and suspicious of others
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
- Delusions (believing untrue things)
- Anxiety and feeling low
There's no cure for this disease, but you can surely prevent it from developing and protecting your brain. Here are seven habits you can start following for your overall well-being:
1. Get indulged in physical activity
An active lifestyle does make a difference where indulging in regular exercise, or any form of physical activity has a positive impact on our brain health. It decreases inflammation and preserves memory and brain function. It also cures early symptoms of dementia. Moreover, if you indulge in short, vigorous exercises elevate your heart rate. You can also do bicycling, running, swimming, and other cardiac exercises.
2. Engage in cognitive stimulation
Billions of neurons make up your brain, and these neurons make trillions of connections throughout the nervous system. Your nervous system and brain grow, evolve, and heal with time. Engaging in a mentally stimulating activity strengthens this cognitive reserve and builds resilience in brain function. The resulting benefit of this cognitive therapy tends to protect your brain.
3. Take good sleep
Good sleep is another important thing that you should have as it gives proper rest to your body and helps you keep active throughout the day. Science says that it is crucial for brain functioning and remodeling. During sleep, your brain tends to remove metabolic waste, process information, and consolidate memories. Getting regular sleep of 7-8 hours is necessary for the excellent health of the mind as it improves your brain's ability to focus, positively shift your mood, and improve overall health.
4. Manage and reduce stress
Chronic stress causes inflammation in the brain, which later on contributes to cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, a high level of prolonged chronic stress increases the risk of cognitive impairment. To control this, you should indulge in stress management techniques such as meditation and mindfulness. It reduces inflammation in the brain and supports the healthy functioning of healthy aging. It improves attention, regulates emotion, and increases self-awareness.
5. Be a part of a supportive network
Social isolation can also adversely impact your brain, causing numerous health issues to worsen due to increased inflammation and impaired immune functioning of the brain. Moreover, loneliness is the cause of dementia in many older adults. They suffer from a lack of social support, poor sleep habits, increased risk of depression, and other damaging effects on the brain.
On the other hand, being a part of a support network of friends promotes healthy balanced life. You should make an effort to further deepen your connections and schedule your time to engage in mentally gratifying activities. Also, some random acts of kindness give you a sense of fulfillment, helping you build compassion and healthier relationships.
6. Eat a balanced diet and avoid smoking
The food you take has a significant impact on your brain, and taking a healthy diet full of nutrients improves brain function, prevent disease, and improve your memory. However, the nutritional needs vary from person to person and thus protect and nourish the brain. Moreover, an anti-inflammatory diet incorporates a wide variety of vegetables, natural fiber, probiotics, and essential phytonutrients that support the brain's cognitive functioning. You can include walnuts and turmeric as it has Curcumin in it, omega-3 rich foods like salmon and sardines, and berries and cherries.
Also, you should abstain from smoking because it harms your lungs and heart. Smoking is also a common cause of dementia and cognitive decline. Furthermore, it contributes to oxidative stress and inflammation. Avoiding smoking protects you against all these and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
7. Use neuropathic oils
Apart from all of the above, you can use neuropathic oils available in the market to have overall well-being. One such oil is hemp oil from Bael Wellness, which is grown organically and manufactured in an FDA-registered and GMP-certified facility. The premium hemp oil is perfect for helping mental and physical well-being, maintaining calmness, enhancing a healthy sleep cycle, supporting inflammation, joint pain, and stiffness healing. Also, it helps to prevent Alzheimer's disease in the long run.
