Your Brain Matters: Brain Health for Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

In 1906, German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Dr. Alois Alzheimer identified a peculiar case of dementia in a 51-year-old woman. In his examination of the woman’s brain after she died, Dr. Alzheimer observed abnormal protein deposits and changes in brain tissue.

He presented his findings at a medical conference, marking the first time this distinct form of dementia was described to the scientific community. 

Dr. Alzheimer’s discovery of the disease that bears his name laid the foundation for our understanding of the most common cause of dementia among older adults.

More than 7 million people in the United States live with Alzheimer’s disease, according to Dr. Michael Shain, a neuropsychologist with Lee Physician Group in its Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (Memory Care) Program.

While advancing age is the greatest known risk factor, Dr. Shain says, Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging.

The brain changes that cause Alzheimer's are thought to begin 20 years or more before symptoms appear, suggesting a significant window for potential intervention. He shares his expertise about brain health and how adopting healthier lifestyle habits can improve your quality of life.

Understanding Alzheimer's disease

The lifetime risk for Alzheimer's at age 45 is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men. Dr. Shain says the disease is the sixth-leading cause of death among U.S. adults, with the number of people living with Alzheimer's doubling every five years after age 65. What causes it?

“Experts believe Alzheimer's develops from multiple factors. While some risk factors like age can’t be changed, others – including physical inactivity, smoking, high blood pressure, and poor nutrition – may be modified to reduce risk,” Dr. Shain says. “Research suggests that up to 40 percent of dementia cases risk factors that can be changed to potentially reduce a person's risk of cognitive decline.”

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: Understanding Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's and other dementias: Causes and risk factors

A mix of risk factors causes most cases of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

• Age
• Family history
• Genetics
• Risk factors we can change
• Certain medical conditions

What is brain health?

Brain health refers to how well a person’s brain functions across several areas, according to the National Institute on Aging. Aspects of brain health include:

• Cognitive health: how well you think, learn, and remember
• Motor function: how well you make and control movements, including balance
• Emotional function: how well you interpret and respond to emotions (both pleasant and unpleasant)
• Tactile function: how well you feel and respond to sensations of touch, including pressure, pain, and temperature
• Sensory function: how well you see, hear, taste, and detect odors

Source: National Institute on Aging

Promoting brain health

Dr. Shain says that we can’t change our age, family history or heredity, of course. However, he says research shows we can affect other risk factors by adopting healthy living habits and managing our health challenges.

“Developing healthy habits can benefit our brain health,” he says. “You can reduce your risk for cognitive decline and maybe even dementia in any number of ways. Because Alzheimer’s and related dementias take years to develop, there are plenty of opportunities to develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits that could reduce your risk for cognitive decline and possibly dementia. It’s never too late to break old habits and start new ones.”

The Alzheimer's Association's "10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain" campaign encourages people of all ages to protect themselves from cognitive decline through positive, everyday actions:

• Stay physically active: Regular exercise improves blood flow to the brain and may lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
• Eat a healthy diet: A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats supports brain health.
• Stay mentally active: Engage in activities stimulating the mind, such as reading, puzzles, or learning new skills.
• Get adequate sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for memory consolidation and overall brain health.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact the brain. Deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help manage stress.
• Stay socially connected: Regular social interactions are associated with better cognitive function.
• Protect your head: Wear protective headgear during activities with a head injury risk.
• Limit alcohol and avoid smoking: These habits can have detrimental effects on brain health.
• Manage chronic conditions: Control conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which can affect brain health.
• Stay hydrated: Proper hydration supports overall health, including brain function.

Adopting these healthy habits can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and possibly dementia. Caring for your brain is important for everyone, not just older adults. A healthy brain enhances learning, memory, emotional management, and well-being.

Beyond Alzheimer's: Other conditions requiring memory care

While Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, other conditions may also require memory care:

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A rare, degenerative, fatal brain disorder
• Huntington's disease: A genetic disorder impacting cognitive function
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Can cause long-term cognitive effects
• Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: A chronic memory disorder caused by severe thiamine deficiency

Getting help

If you're concerned about your brain health or that of a loved one, Dr. Shain says don’t wait to get help. Many healthcare providers offer memory care programs that support both patients and families in managing Alzheimer's disease and other conditions affecting cognitive function.

Alzheimer's Memory Care at Lee Health

Lee Health's Memory Care Program supports both you and your family in managing Alzheimer's disease to help delay the onset of debilitating conditions that could lessen your independence.

The Neuroscience Institute at Lee Health offers a full spectrum of care for neurological problems and provides comprehensive treatment for children and adults affected by neurological disorders or diseases. 

Neuroscience experts treat neurological conditions such as spine disorders, movement disorders, strokes, neuro-oncological issues, seizure disorders and sleep disorders. 

Current Lee Health patients can schedule an appointment with their doctor here. If you don’t have a doctor, you can find one here.