The Sad Truth

Provisions in medical care and healthcare are being made due to new discoveries almost daily. Because of this, people are living longer. We obviously have better physicians today than the ones from one hundred years ago and more powerful meds now that are supposed to cure or at least be beneficial to a multitude of diseases. With people living longer however, that also makes them more likely to develop more severe diseases in their old age, such as cancer as well as the dreaded Alzheimer's. Recent studies show that there are 5.3 million people worldwide living with this devasating illness. And although Alzheimer's is a terrible sickness that destroys the memory of the one who possesses it, it also causes serious emotional pain to the family members and friends of that person. New discoveries have been made which show that minorities, specifically African Americans and Hispanics, are more likely to develop this disease later on in life.

Experts also say that if you keep your brain active, you are much less likely to run a risk of obtaining this disease in your golden years. Pull out those Nintendo DS sudoku puzzles and get your brain exercising. And better yet, get your body moving too! Regular exercise and a healthy diet keep you physically and mentally fit as well.

Although there is not cure for Alzheimer's, there are many options. If diagnosed with Alzheimer's, doctors recommend that you take meds instead of reject them. These drugs will help treat the symptoms and prolong the dementia.

You can read about a real-life example of a man living with Alzheimer's here.