June is Alzheimer's Awareness Month.  Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease and is also a form of dementia.  50 Million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia and it affects men and women alike. It mainly impacts people ages 65 and older. This degeneration leads to nerve cell damage and loss of tissue.  Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.  

Some common symptoms of Alzheimer's are:

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-Memory loss

-Trouble with Problem Solving

-Forgetting Places and Time

-Difficulty completing familiar tasks

-Problems with writing and speaking words

-Misplacing things

-Difficulty understanding spacial relationships or images

-Changes in mood and personality

-Poor judgment

-Social Withdrawal

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Aphasia is a communication disorder that can be a result from brain cell damage and can present itself as Alzheimer's. It is the loss of the ability to express speech.

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Available Medications

Doctors typically use many different medicines. There is no cure for Alzheimer's. Some of the medications for Alzheimer's are: Exelon, Razadyne, Aricept, and, Namenda.  A professional therapist can help with the mood  swings and depression that could result from Alzheimer's.  A speech therapist can help with people who have problems with word articulation.  Alternative herbal treatments are coconut oil, kernel oil (Axona), Coenzyme Q10, Coral Calcium, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and Ginkgo Biloba.

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Make sure you consult with your doctor to find out the best treatment plan for you. 
 

Check out the Alzheimer's Foundation website for more details.

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To donate click here: www.alzfdn.org

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June is also Men's Health month.  So men, now is the time to schedule your annual physical with your doctor, if you have not yet done so.  Make sure that if you are 50 and over you schedule to get your prostate and colon examinations.  The recommended age is 50, unless you have a family history of such diseases (colon cancer, prostate cancer).  If you do have a family history of such diseases age 45 is the recommended age to get checked out sooner rather than later.  Men, we need you, so make sure you schedule your physical exam today.  As doctors offices begin to open back up, it should be easier to schedule an appointment.

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Source: Alzheimer's Foundation

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By Dietra Myers