Alzheimer’s: Early signs to watch out for include mood swings, forgetfulness
Alzheimer’s is characterised by unusual loss of memory.
By ET Online | Updated:
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September 21 is observed as World Alzheimer’s Day. It's named after German scientist Dr. Alois Alzheimer who noticed abnormal clumps and tangled fibres in a woman's brain. The woman had passed away due to an unusual mental condition, and these traits went on to become synonymous with Alzheimer's.
Characterised by unusual loss of memory, this often deteriorates over a period of time, and ends up disrupting daily life activities. The world over, around 50 mn people are said to be affected by it, the Alzheimer's Disease International reported in 2017. India, too, has seen a rise in the number of cases being reported, and close to 4 million people are said to suffer from it.
Early diagnosis is the key to treatment
The best way to keep safe from this condition is taking preventive measures in the first place. One way of doing that is to watch out for the signs and symptoms that can lead to early diagnosis and treatment.
Unusual memory loss is the most important sign of Alzheimer's Alzheimer’s signs and symptoms happen to vary from person to person. However, there are some which remain constant in most patients.
1. Memory loss
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While forgetting things is a normal occurrence, one needs to keep a check on the frequency of such events. One of the most important early signs of Alzheimer’s is unusual loss of memory. In case you or someone in the family seems to forget things way more often than ever, a visit to the doctor at the earliest is needed.
2. Difficulty in completing simple tasks There are some tasks which we find relatively easier than the rest, as they do not require much effort. However, if it's a struggle to complete familiar tasks, it could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s.
Secret To A Happy Life! Smart Lifestyle Changes Can Keep Your Heart Healthy
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In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of heart diseases.
Here are five smart ways listed by Anjali Malhotra, Chief Customer Marketing and Digital Officer Aviva Life insurance to prevent heart problems in today's busy life.
In times when lifestyle induced diseases are on the rise, it becomes important to understand the risk factors and work in the direction to eradicate them especially, if one has a family history of he..
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In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day.
A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure that the arteries remain flexible.
Small changes in your physical activity can help in bringing positive change in your routine.
Studies have shown that brisk walking may add about two hours to the life expectancy of some adults.
Few changes in lifestyle such as taking the stairs instead the elevator, parking at the furthest end of a parking lot and taking a break from the office for a short walk during your lunch hour help in keeping the body in shape and inculcating a habit of healthy living.
In addition, few yoga asanas such as Virbhadrasana, Tadasana, Utkatasana, Bhujangasana and Vrikshasana also helps in preventing heart problems. If you practice these five yoga postures daily, you can reduce substantial risk of heart problems.
In order to keep your heart healthy, it is important to indulge in exercise each day.
A daily exercise schedule in any form of physical activity for a period of 30-45 minutes is crucial to ensure th..
Read More
Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it.
What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy vegetables, exclude sugar and aerated drinks from your diet, replace sweetened beverages with water as much as possible and bring down the intake of processed foods and refined flour.
Too much sodium can also cause excess fluid in the body that puts an extra strain on your heart. Therefore, it is best to adapt to variety of spices, herbs and flavours that are an alternative to salt.
Also, exclude red meats from the diet in order to avoid bad cholesterol. Keep the intake of oil and sugar minimal which will further help in reducing the risk of heart problems.
Eating right is the key to a healthy heart and a healthy life. However, majority of us tend to ignore it.
What you eat directly affects your heart. Therefore, ensure the intake of green and leafy ve..
Read More
Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure.
Keep a check on BMI (Body Mass Index) and maintain it to optimal levels.
Excess body weight is dangerous for the heart. Keep an eye on weight as it elevates chances of getting high cholesterol levels, which may lead to diabetes, risk of artery disease, and blood pressure...
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Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes.
Not only that, it leads to overall disruption in the normal functioning of the heart. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid consumption of both or consume it in moderation and gradually phase it out. It may be difficult to follow but worth the effort.
Smoking and alcohol will have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. These habits are known to elevate blood pressure, causing irregular heartbeat and stokes.
Not only that, it leads t..
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Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy.
Try and keep stress at bay. Look for activities other than work which helps keep stress levels in check.
Indulge in a hobby or a positive self-talk, listen to music or reading a good book or meditate.
These techniques have helped in reducing stress and developing a positive outlook towards work and life.
Various studies have established that stress is one of the biggest triggers of heart problems. It can cause aches and pains, trigger feelings of anxiety and depression, and lower your energy.
Try an..
3. Loss of vision Loss of vision may occur at any point of time in life. However, if you face difficulty in judging colours or the distance while driving or during any other activity, do take an appointment.
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4. Misplacing items too often Keeping each item in the right place is perhaps not on the to-do list of every individual. But if the trait of losing things too often happens to continue frequently, it could point towards the risk of Alzheimer’s. A person dealing with Alzheimer’s may eventually withdraw socially
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5. Social withdrawal A person dealing with Alzheimer’s may eventually withdraw socially. Not meeting people, staying indoors and avoiding social gatherings are some forms of withdrawal in an Alzheimer’s patient.
Other than this, a person dealing with Alzheimer’s finds it difficult to make decisions, experiences mood swings and may even show personality changes.
