Alzheimer’s is a mystery as to what exactly can cause it and why, as it is very similar in that way to autism with the mysterious part. The truth is that the reason it is a mystery is due to the fact that likely there are many causes and reasons for the brain degeneration to happen to those who are aging.
In fact, there are 13 illnesses that have been found to have been linked to Alzheimer’s and let’s look at those right now.
#13 – Anemia
Amenia is a loss of red blood cells which causes you to become lethargic and fatigued. What happens is due to the loss of red blood cells, there is less oxygen being transported throughout your body which means your brain is lacking that important oxygen. This is one link to Alzheimer’s disease. Internal bleeding is one cause of anemia or lack of iron in the diet.
#12 – Anxiety And Depression
Mental and mood disorders such as depression and anxiety can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s later on in life. This is due to the fact that evidence has found that cortisol levels are high which is the result of depression and anxiety as it is the stress hormone that can be harmful to the brain. However, some antidepressants are being found to be a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s so there may be more linked than one realizes at this point to mental health problems.
#11 – Diabetes
Diabetes is an inflammatory disease as well as a disease that increases cardiovascular ailments which ends up affecting the brain as well. Therefore, if blood sugar levels are not controlled properly, that increases inflammation throughout the body, the heart, and the brain as well.
#10 – Down Syndrome
Individuals with Down Syndrome have a chromosome that is broken off which is why they have many health problems that go beyond intellectual disabilities and cardiovascular ailments. Those who have Down Syndrome are living older as treatments are advancing. Those who have the condition have a high chance of developing Alzheimer’s. The reason for that the mutation of the chromosome causes amyloid plague which is why Alzheimer’s happens over time.
#9 – Gum Disease
What is the connection there? Harmful bacteria from the gums from conditions such as gingivitis will travel throughout your body and can go right into the brain. This can be a cause for Alzheimer’s as foreign bacteria enter the brain cells and can be quite damaging. This is why it is important to take care of your oral health.
#8 – Hearing Loss
If you have hearing loss, this alone is not a direct cause for Alzheimer’s but it is an issue that can magnify it as a loss of hearing can make the condition a lot worse. A loss of hearing can be responsible for cognitive decline if important things being said to someone are not at all heard.
#7 – Herpes
Herpes is an inflammatory disease and this can cause the brain to be inflamed as well which can increase the chances of plaque buildup in the brain. It is said that the plaque may be a protective measure provided by the body to keep the brain away from herpes itself.
#6 – High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure will restrict blood flow from happening easily and this not only puts a strain on the heart but it puts a strain on the brain. That is because the blood supply can easily be compromised or cut off from blood pressure being high and this means there is a loss of oxygen or less oxygen getting to the brain.
#5 – Hypothyroidism
If your thyroid is underactive, then it slows the metabolism down as it can lead to weight gain, confusion, and can accelerate the risk of dementia or the development of Alzheimer’s. Fortunately, hypothyroidism can be treated and if it is, then the risk of Alzheimer’s from that alone is cut down.
#4 – Obesity
It is a known fact that obesity is due to poor lifestyle choices or due to situations that cannot be helped such as having to go on medications that can cause weight gain. It is known that obesity puts a strain on the cardiovascular system, increases blood pressure, and can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s as well. It is trickier for those who rely on medication for their condition that causes weight gain. This is why seeking help from a dietician is important.
#3 – Vitamin Deficiencies
Some vitamins such as B12 are highly important for your overall functioning and if you are deficient in vitamins, this can increase your chances of poor blood functioning which can reduce the oxygen brought to the brain as that will increase the chances of Alzheimer’s. It is best to get blood work done to see if you have some serious vitamin deficiencies as you could be asymptomatic.
#2 – Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is when you stop breathing in your sleep which will disrupt the flow of oxygen to your brain. You may not be aware that you have it and if you snore a lot, you could have the condition. If you are feeling very tired and fatigued during the day then it is a possibility that you could have sleep apnea. The only way to know is to have a sleep study done.
#1 – Preeclampsia
For pregnant women, this is a serious concern. If you have a history of this condition during pregnancies which are marked by high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and weight gain due to severe fluid retention, then that is a sign. The blood pressure is dangerously high. Even though this is temporary and resolves sometime after the baby is born, women who have had this condition have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
The best thing is to monitor your health. If you have any of these conditions, then you will want to make sure that you monitor your health as you age. Alzheimer’s caught early can be a good thing as early treatment can be quite helpful in the longterm.
