What will you do if one morning you aren’t able to recognize the person sleeping next to you? Yes, one morning when you aren’t able to associate a name to the face which seems so blissfully asleep by your side? No matter how hard you try you just aren’t able to identify the person who has actually been your partner for years, your spouse, and your one true love. What then? The prospect is scary, isn’t it?
Or, imagine a day when you aren’t able to recall how to wear a saree or make coffee, an activity that you were adept in. Impossible don’t you think?
Or, God forbid what if one day you just aren’t able find your way back home or recall where is home? A day when everything seems alien. Just the thought is preposterous right?
But as scary or as impossible as these situations seem, truth is there are real people living through these day after day, every day. As I write and now as you read, there are actual people in this world for whom answering these questions have become a fact of life. Unfortunate.
Alzheimer’s they call it and trust me it’s something you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy too.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, AD is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onsetAlzheimer’s can occur much earlier. In 2006, there were 26.6 million people worldwide with AD. Alzheimer’s is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050. 21st September was World Alzheimer’s Day and I reckon it’s not too late to speak about it. Awareness is one of the ways to fight any disease, isn’t it? So along with
Write Tribe I urge you to spend some time today reading about Alzheimer’s
here and anywhere you can.
It is classified as a neurodegenerative disorder and there are no available medicines or treatments that can stop, control or reduce the advancement of the disease. Unfortunately in this era of medical innovation too we are helpless when it comes to Alzheimer’s. Makes one realize that we are after all merely humans, doesn’t it? Nevertheless studies and trials are being carried out around the world. Perhaps in the future we will have the cure. In fact, I’m certain we will have the cure at some point in time. Till then I thought why not tell you about some things we can do to prevent it. Bear in mind these are just propositions and have not been definitively proved. But in the absence of any treatment, I think we should grab on to whatever little we have as long as it doesn’t cause us any harm. Don’t you agree?
So here goes. As per
Wiki, the following activities may be able to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Engaging in intellectual activities like reading, solving crossword puzzles, playing board games or healthy social interaction which leads to efficient neural functioning.
Learning a second language.
Being physically active.
Avoiding diets rich in high saturated fats and simple carbohydrates.
Not enough evidence to corroborate the fact but light to moderate use of alcohol especially red wine and caffeine.
I truly hope and pray that none of you, in fact no one anywhere ever falls prey to this disease. And I also hope that some researcher somewhere in the world is able to have that Eureka moment with respect to Alzheimer’s cure and soon. Till then let’s be aware. We don’t need too much effort for that, do we?
But as scary or as impossible as these situations seem, truth is there are real people living through these day after day, every day. As I write and now as you read, there are actual people in this world for whom answering these questions have become a fact of life. Unfortunate. Alzheimer’s they call it and trust me it’s something you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy too.
True, Alzheimer's is a scary disease for the ones who are afflicted with it and their family too. To see them slipping from the reality… they say, no matter what the relationship was before — the Alzheimer's disease changes it completely and that could be so trying and exhausting!
Nicely shared, Naba.
Alzheimer's makes perfect individuals lose their memories. Really sad for friends & family. … May all be protected from it.
My aunt suffers from Alzheimer's and it is so sad to see such horrific deterioration in a human being. I pray someday they will find a complete cure
Excellent post. So heartful.
It truly makes u scared Nabanita. But thanks for the facts that you have written here.
It is a scary prospect, losing ones memory. Brilliant post, Nabanita.
Appreciated this post in that you listed some of the ways to reduce the risk of this disease. There are others as well and I hope people take these precautions. Thank you
Oh! A terrific disease, may God help some one to come up with a Eureka solution as you said.Here in Kerala a very renowned poet didn't even know even a single letter.Nicely penned.
My Grandma had Alzheimer's. It was scary for her, and sad for us, to see her go from remembering recipes she made everyday to not recognizing a one of us.
It must be scary…losing all your precious memories. My great grandmother had it.
I think I am half-way there already 🙂 The number of things I have to grope for before recollecting is increasing by the day
I've known of people with Alzheimer's and often wonder if it is nature's way of helping you cope with memories you'd rather not have……( I know it is a pathological condition which can be delayed)
It IS scary. Have seen a few of my own relatives having the same problem. Like you said keeping oneself occupied is the best way to slow down the dreaded disease.
Thank you, Nabanita, for the informative post. There is nothing more horrific than watching a loved one disappear into the depths of Alzheimer and dementia. When this happens, it is almost inevitable to ask, "Why? What lessons are we to learn from such pain and cruelty?" Compassion and humility. While Alzheimer and dementia challenge our love, patience and tolerance, they remind us of our humanness and mortality. If you allow yourself, your heart fills with compassion and with it kindness. No, we cannot prevent these diseases and we have no control over an individual's life habits, but there is one thing we can all do and that is spend some time to chat with an elderly grandparent, relative or neighbor, many of whom spend much time alone. HUGS <3
I can't even imagine what it'll be like to lose memory one of our most precious possessions! But I think its worse for your loved ones who have to take care of you.