The rate if Alzheimer’s in African Americans continues
to rise. Protect yourself.
By: Amanda Anderson
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 in 3 African Americans will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. While the report states that these findings are not a result of genetics, they do suspect that socioeconomic factors play a huge part in why the rate of African Americans and other minorities being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is so high.
Factors that may play a role in the high rate of the disease among African Americans may be that African Americans may not receive the best health care. Quality health care provides blacks with doctors that would be able to catch the disease before it takes effect on the person. While the country faces a crisis in the health care system, there are a lot of African Americans that have not been able to find quality health care that they can simply afford.
And although poor health care could play a factor in the crisis, it is also possible that the failure to recognize the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s can increase one’s chances of being diagnosed with the disease.
Symptoms such as memory loss and changes in behavior signal the initial stages of Alzheimer’s. These symptoms should not go unnoticed and those who experience these symptoms regularly should visit a doctor immediately.
Although African Americans are being diagnosed with the disease at alarming rates, there are ways to lower your chances of being diagnosed.
One of the best ways to prevent catching the disease is to exercise the brain regularly. Since the brain is a muscle, it is beneficial for individuals to make as much use of this muscle as possible to prevent Alzheimer’s. Reading and completing mind games such as crossword puzzles are great ways to keep your brain sharp.
Although exercising your brain is essential, it is also imperative that you exercise your body regularly as well. Physical exercise is also great for your brain, and daily or weekly walks are great for any age group.
The foods you eat will also play a part in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Studies have shown that individuals that take in the recommended daily amount of folates tend to be the least likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Folates are generally B-vitamins and can usually be found in the leafy and green vegetables, as well as in some fruits such as bananas and oranges.
Implement these preventative measures into your life daily and be sure to maintain quality health care. All of these measures are crucial to the prevention of Alzheimer’s.