Shining Light on Darkness of Alzheimer’s Disease

Understanding the Importance of Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Education and Prevention

September is a dedicated month for raising awareness and shedding light on the complex layers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The theme for World Alzheimer’s Month 2023, “Never too early, never too late,” emphasizes the need for AD risk education and prevention methods to promote healthy cognitive function and aging. This month also coincides with Healthy Aging Month, further emphasizing the crucial need for identifying risk factors and cognitive decline during the aging process.

The Impact of Lifestyle on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are responsible for the death of more senior citizens than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. However, studies have shown that approximately 40% of dementia cases can be prevented or delayed with lifestyle changes that address modifiable risk factors. These risk factors include high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, depression, hearing loss, and physical inactivity.

AD is a progressive form of dementia that initially results in the loss of synapses and eventually leads to damage and destruction of nerve cells in the brain. Over time, the disease causes a gradual loss of cognitive abilities, including memory, reasoning, language use, and recognition of familiar places. With the growing number of aging adults, experts predict that there will be 13 million individuals with AD dementia by 2050.

Healthy Cognitive Function: What Should Be Considered Normal?

While aging is a natural part of life, there are certain signs of cognitive aging that are considered normal. For example, occasionally misplacing things or temporarily forgetting a word and then remembering it later are typical signs of cognitive aging. However, if someone frequently loses items without being able to locate them or experiences difficulty in maintaining a conversation, it could indicate a more serious issue.

Mental and physical health are crucial components of independent living. Although there is a common misconception that dementia symptoms are a natural part of the aging process, the effects of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia, and AD are not normal signs of aging. MCI is a condition that affects memory and thinking in older adults, and it can be an early sign of AD. However, it is important to note that not all individuals with MCI will progress to AD or dementia.

A recent study revealed that 80% of surveyed individuals aged 65-80 did not undergo a cognitive assessment from their healthcare providers. This suggests that many older adults could be experiencing MCI or other forms of cognitive decline without even realizing it. The same survey also indicated that 96% of older Americans would be willing to change their behaviors to protect their brain health.

Risk Factor Education and Prevention

Physical activity has numerous benefits for the overall health of older adults. Several studies have shown that regular physical activity can slow the progression of MCI, the early stage of cognitive decline or memory loss. For example, the EXERT study demonstrated that older adults who exercised regularly over an 18-month period maintained the same cognitive assessment results as they did at the beginning of the study. This indicates that physical activity can delay the progression of MCI. It is worth noting that the level of physical exertion does not significantly impact the benefits, as even simple seated exercises with stretching bands can have similar effects to walking on a treadmill.

In addition to physical activity, reducing risk factors such as physical inactivity, smoking, depression, mid-life hypertension, mid-life obesity, and diabetes can also decrease the prevalence of AD in the United States, as found in the Systematic Multi-Domain Alzheimer’s Risk Reduction Trial (SMARRT) study.

Furthermore, research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that using hearing aids can reduce the rate of cognitive decline in older adults at high risk of dementia by nearly 50% over a three-year period. Treating hearing loss with hearing aids may be a simple and effective method for lowering the risk of dementia in vulnerable populations.

Aside from physical activity and risk factor reduction, making lifestyle changes can also prevent the progression of MCI. These changes include following a daily routine, learning new skills, spending quality time with friends and family, getting sufficient sleep, limiting alcohol consumption, and seeking help for health conditions like high blood pressure or depression.

Early Intervention is Crucial: But How?

With the introduction of new, expensive FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies for treating Alzheimer’s, an accurate diagnosis has become even more critical. Although these drugs effectively remove amyloid plaques, they have not been shown to stop or reverse cognitive decline. In addition to associated safety concerns and significant treatment burden, the limited benefits of these drugs create a diagnostic dilemma for physicians when making prescribing decisions.

Early intervention is widely recognized as the key to altering the trajectory of the disease. Some patients with early dementia may benefit more from modifying risk factors through lifestyle changes than relying solely on these new drugs. By considering the overall health of the patient and understanding the various forms of cognitive decline, appropriate lifestyle modifications and treatments can greatly benefit individuals with AD, potentially reserving drugs for those who do not respond to lifestyle changes alone.

The Importance of Early and Accurate Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis rates in the generalist setting can range from 50% to 70%, and in specialized clinics, the rates can be as high as 25% to 30%. These concerning misdiagnosis rates can lead to overuse of invasive or costly diagnostic procedures and unnecessary over-prescribing of AD drugs.

Fortunately, the availability of an accurate, autopsy-validated test has the potential to significantly improve the diagnostic pathway. This test can identify appropriate candidates and enhance referrals to physicians, ensuring that the right patients receive the necessary AD diagnosis for accessing appropriate treatments. One such test is DISCERN, which has undergone autopsy validation and demonstrated over 95% sensitivity and specificity for identifying AD in people recently diagnosed with dementia, even in cases of mixed dementia.

In a recent survey, clinicians reported being four times more likely to prescribe new drugs following a positive DISCERN test result.

DISCERN is the only autopsy-validated test with a 98% accuracy rate for identifying Alzheimer’s, meeting the NIH Gold Standard for diagnostic accuracy confirmation. Patients are followed for up to 8 years prior to death, ensuring the reliability of the test. The test involves three assays that assess factors directly related to the formation of synaptic connections in the brain, which impact memory and cognition in individuals with AD. These assays also evaluate the formation of amyloid plaques and tau in neurofibrillary tangles, which are characteristic features of AD at autopsy. DISCERN is administered as a 3mm skin punch biopsy and can be easily conducted in community practice settings, with Medicare covering the cost.

Author: Frank Amato, President and CEO, SYNAPS Dx

The post Shining Light on Darkness of Alzheimer’s Disease appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does holistic actually mean?

Holistic means whole-based. It means looking at the whole picture rather than just part of it. This can be hard because we are used seeing things as parts.

Our default mentality is to see things in black and white. In reality, there are infinite shades of grey.

Try to look at everything from different perspectives when you work on a project. Look at it from all sides.

You should try to see it all as one. How does each of its components interact with one another?

Ask yourself why you are having trouble with a particular element. Don’t forget about the effects of any change that you make.

Is holistic medicine legal?

The answer is yes and no. Yes. There are many medications that have been proven to be effective against various conditions. Because they can’t cure every condition. It all depends upon what you mean with “holistic.” If it means taking into account all aspects of an individual’s health, then yes, but if it just means using natural remedies over chemical ones then no.

Many people believe holistic medicine has existed since ancient times. But this is simply untrue. Even though natural remedies were used in ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome by some healers, it was not scientifically proven.

Medical practitioners started to study anatomy and physiological science in the Middle Ages. This led to the development and practice of surgery, obstetrics and pharmacology. In the 19th Century, almost all Western countries had public hospitals that could be used by trained doctors to provide medical care.

Conventional medicine is today the dominant type of healthcare. But, many people still prefer complementary and alternative medicine. Many people find that it is more beneficial than taking pharmaceutical drugs.

For example, some people feel more relaxed after receiving massage therapy rather than taking tranquilizers. Some prefer to eat healthy food over taking prescription medication. Still, others find that regular exercise helps their bodies function at peak performance.

Why is holistic medicine so much better?

Holistic health care is about treating the whole person, not individual symptoms. Holistic healthcare focuses on the whole person, not just individual symptoms. This includes how they feel, what they eat and where they live.

Holistic medicine considers all aspects of a patient’s life and treats them as a complete package. While it sounds simple, it can be very challenging to implement in practice because doctors often focus on the patient’s physical health.

What is the alternative to holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine refers to a holistic approach to health care. It considers all aspects and their emotional, spiritual, and environmental dimensions. Holistic medicine is based on the idea that every illness has multiple causes. It requires a combination therapy to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Holistic medicine doctors believe that prevention is more effective than treatment. They partner with patients to achieve optimal wellness.

They look for the root causes of disease to prevent them from returning. Holistic physicians treat the entire body, not just its organs. Holistic physicians often refer to the whole being as “the Body”.

This means that they look beyond the skin and treat the body holistically. The doctor may suggest lifestyle and diet changes. The doctor may recommend meditation, yoga, massage, acupuncture or chiropractic treatment.

Which types of treatment should not be considered holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine focuses on the whole person as a healing approach, rather than just the symptoms. It promotes health and prevents disease.

Holistic medicine uses natural remedies such as herbs, homeopathy, and acupuncture instead of drugs and surgery.

Holistic medicine refers to lifestyle changes like exercise, diet and meditation.

Integrative medicine is also known as holistic medicine. It integrates all aspects, including the patient’s spiritual, mental, and physical needs, into a single comprehensive care plan.

Holistic medicine emphasizes early detection and prevention of disease, and promotes healthy lifestyles.

Holistic doctors believe there is no one cause for every condition. Instead, holistic doctors consider the whole picture, including genetics, environment, lifestyle choices and personal habits.

Holistic practitioners pay more attention to the mind, the emotions, and the spirit than to the body.

Holistic physicians work closely with their patients to determine what will best meet their individual needs.

What does complementary medicine mean?

Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. It includes treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic care, homeopathy, hypnosis, massage therapy, naturopathy, reflexology, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga and others.

Complementary medications are not to be used as an alternative to conventional medicine. These complementary medicines are also known as “alternative”, “integrative”, or “integrative” medicine. They combine Western scientific methods and other proven therapies to heal people.

Statistics

According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
In 83% of the cases, the readers agreed. (en.wikipedia.org)
In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)

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What are the 4 types of complementary or alternative medicine?

The four main categories of CAM are mind-body medicine, natural products, manipulative therapies, and energy healing. Mind-body medicine can include yoga, meditation and Tai Chi. Natural products include herbs, vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and botanicals. Manipulative therapies are physical manipulations like acupuncture or chiropractic care, acupuncture or therapeutic exercise. Energy healing involves techniques such as prayer and visualization.

CAM refers to a variety of health practices that are not in line with Western medical models. The scientific evidence supporting these practices is varied, as are the types of drugs they use and what conditions they treat. Some CAM practitioners may also prescribe medication and perform diagnostic testing (e.g. blood tests). Others may do neither.

These four categories are not the only ones. There are many subcategories within each one. Mind-body medicine is comprised of relaxation techniques, mindfulness, guided imagery and self-hypnosis. There are also deep breathing exercises, meditations, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, biofeedback and visualization. Natural products can include nutritional supplements and botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies as well as essential oils, botanical medicines, essential oils, nutraceuticals herbal preparations, medicinal herbs, and teas. Manipulative therapies can include manual, movement and traction as well as electrotherapies, cupping and stretching. Soft tissue mobilization, trigger point therapy (or orthopedics), myofascial releases, trigger points therapy, neurostimulation, and trigger point therapy are some examples. There are spiritual healing modalities such as prayer and faith healing within energy healing.

Many CAM therapies treat symptoms, but not the cause. However, CAM may provide relief for some chronic diseases. If used appropriately, CAM can complement conventional treatment options.

There are many reasons people use CAM.

To improve their overall wellbeing.
To manage a special condition.
To lessen pain and discomfort.
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

Because it gives them more control than traditional medicine, some people choose CAM. Some may feel it has less side effects. Others prefer CAM to stay away from prescription medications. Some prefer not taking prescription medications if at all possible. Others still seek out CAM, even though they’ve had bad experiences in conventional medicine.

Some people who use CAM say they want to be sure about what they are doing before trying something new. Many CAM users ask questions about the safety and effectiveness of CAM. Others rely upon word-of-mouth referrals from family and friends.

Although CAM can be viewed negatively by society in general, most users feel positive about it. People who use CAM are more happy and healthier than those who do not. This holds true regardless of gender, age, race, religion, income level, occupation, insurance status or any other factors.

A large majority of Americans practice some form or another of complementary and alternative medicines. Nearly all adults–95%–use one type of CAM at least once during their lifetime. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, NCCIH, estimates that approximately 40 million people visited CAM providers in 2010.

The NCCIH estimates that 10 percent of the U.S. population uses chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, naturopaths, and/or osteopaths.3 By comparison, only 2 percent of the population uses medical doctors.

The American Medical Association has reaffirmed its support to integrative medicine in 2013, It stated that doctors should incorporate scientifically validated complementary and alternative medicine into their clinical practice to meet patients’ expectations and needs.

The Institute of Medicine published a groundbreaking report in 2007 entitled “Relaxing Contraints: Improving access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” It concluded that there is no credible evidence that any particular CAM intervention is effective in treating or preventing cancer.

CAM is still gaining popularity despite this conclusion. 2008 saw a 8 percent increase in the number of CAM professionals compared to 2007.

A recent study revealed that almost half of respondents use CAM as partof their primary healthcare regime.

CAM therapies encompass natural products, mind-body techniques, manipulative strategies, energy healing modalities and exercise.

Many CAM therapies are used primarily for pain relief; however, many also offer other benefits, such as relaxation, improved mood, better sleep, reduced stress, and enhanced immunity.

Acupuncture can be used to relieve back pain, anxiety, depression, increase immune function, promote weight loss, and improve menstrual symptoms.

Many CAM treatments are based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and their roots go back thousands of years.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, was first practiced in China over 5,000 year ago.

TCM is an important component of modern health care.

TCM has become a popular treatment option for more than 70% of the population in the United States.

Yoga is another CAM therapy that is very popular. Yoga was developed in India circa 5000 B.C. It is now widespread.

Yoga has gained popularity due to its physical, mental, as well as spiritual benefits.

Yoga can reduce stress, increase flexibility, and improve strength. It also helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Although there is limited scientific research, yoga seems to have positive effects on sleep33 and may be helpful for those suffering from insomnia.

Other CAM therapies are also gaining acceptance in mainstream medicine, including meditation, homeopathy, and aromatherapy.

The most widely used CAM today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines contain herbs, spices, flowers, seeds, fruits, mushrooms, bark, leaves, roots, and stems.

They are commonly used as safer alternatives to prescription drugs and are often preferred by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 45% of adult cancer patients used alternative medicine during their treatment.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 60% of cancer patients use CAM. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 50% of cancer survivors have used CAM.

In fact, according to a recent study, 51% of cancer survivors reported using at least one type of CAM.

However, only 8% of these individuals discussed this use with their physicians.

This lack of communication between conventional medical providers and CAM users represents a significant gap in healthcare delivery.

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By: Dick Benson
Title: Shining Light on Darkness of Alzheimer’s Disease
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/conditions/brain-health/alzheimers/shining-light-on-darkness-of-alzheimers-disease/
Published Date: Wed, 27 Sep 2023 19:57:55 +0000