Alzheimer’s, Snoring and Sleep Apnea Connection

Alzheimer’s is most often considered an incurable and
unavoidable disease. Many of us have helplessly watched loved
ones experience this painful condition, steadily degenerating the
person’s functionality and personality.

Recent studies have, however, connected Alzheimer’s to a couple
of very unexpected co-conspirators, snoring and sleep apnea. And
by drawing some common sense conclusions, researchers have come
up with a method that may help EVERY Alzheimer’s patient to not
only stop this horrible disease but maybe also reverse it to some
level.

What’s even more important, this gives hope that Alzheimer’s
may be totally prevented from developing in the first place.

This full-featured article is especially important if you or
someone close to you snores. To read more and make your comment,
please CLICK HERE

The Difficult Consequences Of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a serious neurological disorder which unfortunately can impact many parts of the brain and considerably affects our lives. It results in changes to a person's memory, thoughts, and behaviors.
It is not yet altogether known why people develop Alzheimer's disease. It is believed that genetics plays an important role in the likelihood of someone developing the disease but today we know that nutrition, physical activity and brain activity can have a big impact on the likelihood to develop Alzheimer's at a later stage.
In any case the manner is which Alzheimer's disease affects the brain comes in part from the way in which electrical signals travels throughout the neural network. It also affects the function of the neurotransmitters and many other brain functions.

Over time the disease also annihilate many areas of the brain. It can significantly shrink the size of the brain and impacts the ability of the brain to properly function. The shrinkage of the brain is particularly severe on the hippocampus which is the area of the brain which affects memory. This is a key reason why many Alzheimer's disease patients suffer from a significant loss of memory.

Other areas of the brain which can be impacted include the cortex which is the section which controls thinking, organizing and rational thought.

In the early stages of the disease, patients usually have trouble remembering things. As the disease progresses, they lose more of their ability to remember even simple things, places and people. They will tend to forget things which were second nature over most of their lifetime. Eventually they will completely forget close family and friends as well as lose the ability to perform even simple personal tasks like brushing their teeth, eating or maintaining their personal hygiene.

The disease affects a person's ability to speak or comprehend the simplest of instructions. It has been found that the brain of people who suffer from AD also have formations of plaque present which impacts the ability of the brain cells to function properly. Over time it kills these cells which cause the brain to shrink and lose much of its function.

There are several diagnostic tests available which can help determine if a person is suffering from the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. If this is so, there are a number of different treatments which can be applied to help slow down the progression of this disease.

Still, there is not yet a complete cure. However a number of drug treatments have been shown to help slow the progression and bring back some mental acuity.

We believe that in today's Alzheimer's day what is very important is prevention. By having and living a healthier life, one can reduce its chance to get the disease at a later stage of life. When we know the terrible consequences this diseases has on individuals and their respective family, it is vital to take the necessary steps to prevent the disease for happening.

Nathanael Eisenberg is the CEO of CogniFit, a company that develops software which measure and train cognitive abilities. We help people discover new insights about themselves and decide what to improve in their life.

The rapid growth of scientific knowledge around the brain creates new opportunities to help tackle some of the major challenges of the early part of the 21st century. Nathanael's goal is to participate in the search of some of these additional solutions.

Vascular Dementia - Signs, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

Vascular dementia is one of the most common forms of dementia, ranking only second to Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular dementia is caused by chronic, reduced blood flow to the brain—usually as the result of a stroke or series of strokes. In many cases, the strokes are so small that you may not notice any symptoms. These are known as “silent strokes.” But over time, the damage adds up, leading to memory loss, confusion, and other signs of dementia.

Vascular dementia represents a challenge for those affected by it and their caretakers. But with an understanding of the condition, and a willingness to make important lifestyle changes, it may be possible to prevent further blockages and compensate for brain damage that has already occurred.

What is vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia refers to a subtle, progressive decline in memory and cognitive functioning. It occurs when the blood supply carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or diseased vascular system. If blood supply is blocked for longer than a few seconds, brain cells can die, causing damage to the cortex of the brain—the area associated with learning, memory, and language.

Depending on the person, and the severity of the stroke or strokes, vascular dementia may come on gradually or suddenly. Currently, there is no known cure, but the good news is that making certain lifestyle changes and using practical strategies may help prevent strokes, compensate for cognitive loses, and slow its development.
  
Signs and symptoms of vascular dementia 

Vascular dementia affects different people in different ways and the speed of the progression varies from person to person. Some symptoms may be similar to those of other types of dementia and usually reflect increasing difficulty to perform everyday activities like eating, dressing, or shopping. 

Behavioral and physical symptoms can come on dramatically or very gradually, although it appears that a prolonged period of TIAs—the mini-strokes discussed above—leads to a gradual decline in memory, whereas a bigger stroke can produce profound symptoms immediately. Regardless of the rate of appearance, vascular dementia typically progresses in a stepwise fashion, where lapses in memory and reasoning abilities are followed by periods of stability, only to give way to further decline.

Causes of vascular dementia

Stroke, small vessel disease, or a mixture of the two can cause vascular dementia. Most commonly there is a blockage of small blood vessels somewhere in the vast system of arteries that feeds the brain and enters through the base of the skull. Blockages may be caused by plaque build up on the inside of the artery wall, or by blood clots which have broken loose and clogged a tributary further downstream. Clots can form as a result of abnormal heart rhythms, or other heart abnormalities. Also, a weak patch on an artery wall can balloon outward and form an aneurysm, which can burst and deprive the brain cells of oxygen.
It is estimated that about 50 percent of the cases of vascular dementia result from hypertension, or high blood pressure. Less common causes of vascular dementia are associated with autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the arteries such as lupus and temporal arteritis, which are treatable with drugs that suppress the immune system.

Vascular dementia prevention and treatment

There is not yet a known cure for vascular dementia, so prevention is important. The best way to prevent vascular dementia is to lower the risk of stroke. This means getting high blood pressure under control, avoiding cigarettes, and controlling cholesterol levels and diabetes.
But even if you or a loved one have already been diagnosed with vascular dementia, it’s not too late to do anything about it. If you treat the risk factors that led to vascular dementia, you may be able to slow the progression of the disease and possibly reverse some of the symptoms. The most important thing is minimizing your risk of having another stroke and making the dementia worse.
The FDA has not, as yet, approved any medications for the treatment of vascular dementia. However, a number of medications used to treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear to work for vascular dementia, too.

 

Dementia

The word 'Dementia' comes from the Latin 'de' meaning 'apart' and 'men'
from the genitive mentis meaning 'mind'. Dementia is the progressive deterioration in cognitive function-the ability to process thought (intelligence). Progressive means the symptoms will gradually get worse.     

Most of us start worrying about dementia after retirement - and that may be too little, too late. Experts say that if you really want to ward off dementia, you need to start taking care of your brain in your 30s and 40s - or even earlier.
  "More and more research is suggesting that lifestyle is very important to your brain's health," says Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a neuropsychologist and an adjunct associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "If you want to live a long, healthy life, then many of us need to start as early as we can." 
  So what can you do to beef up your brain - and possibly ward off dementia?  Nussbaum, who recently gave a speech on the topic for the Winter Park (Fla.) Health Foundation, offers 20 tips that may help. 

1)     Join clubs or organizations that need volunteers.  If you start volunteering now, you won't feel lost and unneeded after you retire. 

2)      Develop a hobby or two.  Hobbies help you develop a robust brain because you're trying something new and complex. 

3) Practise writing with your non-dominant hand several minutes everyday.  This will exercise the opposite side of your brain and fire up those neurons.

 4) Take dance lessons. In a study of nearly 500 people, dancing was the only regular physical activity associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease.  The people who danced three or four times a week showed 76 percent less incidence of dementia than those who danced only once a week or not at all.


5) Need a hobby? Start gardening.  Researchers in New Zealand found that, of 1,000 people, those who gardened regularly were less likely to suffer from dementia!  Not only does gardening reduce stress, but gardeners use their brains to plan gardens; they use visual and spatial reasoning to lay out a garden.


6) Walking daily can reduce the risk of dementia because cardiovascular health is important to maintain blood flow to the brain.  or...Buy a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day.


 7) Read and write daily. Reading stimulates a wide variety of brain areas that process and store information.  Likewise, writing (not copying) stimulates many areas of the brain as well.


8) Start knitting. Using both hands works both sides of your brain.  And it's a stress reducer.


9) Learn a new language. Whether it's a foreign language or sign language,you are working your brain by making it go back and forth between one language and the other.  A researcher in England found that being bilingual seemed to delay symptoms of Alzheimer's disease for four years.  And some research suggests that the earlier a child learns sign language, the higher his IQ - and people with high IQs are less likely to have dementia. So start them early.


10) Play board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly.  Not only are you taxing your brain, you're socializing too.  Playing solo games, such as solitaire or online computer brain games can be helpful, but Nussbaum prefers games that encourage you to socialize too. 


11) Take classes throughout your lifetime.  Learning produces structural and chemical changes in the brain, and education appears to help people live longer.  Brain researchers have found that people with advanced degrees live longer - and if they do have Alzheimer's, it often becomes apparent only in the very later stages of the disease.


12) Listen to classical music.  A growing volume of research suggests that music may hard wire the brain, building links between the two hemispheres. Any kind of music may work, but there's some research that shows positive effects for classical music, though researchers don't understand why


13) Learn a musical instrument. It may be harder than it was when you were a kid, but you'll be developing a dormant part of your brain.


14) Travel. When you travel (whether it's to a distant vacation spot or on a different route across town), you're forcing your brain to navigate a new and complex environment.  A study of London taxi drivers found experienced drivers had larger brains because they have to store lots of information about locations and how to navigate there.


15) Pray. Daily prayer appears to help your immune system.  And people who attend a formal worship service regularly live longer and report happier, healthier lives.


16) Learn to meditate.  It's important for your brain that you learn to shut out the stresses of everyday life. 


17) Get enough sleep. Studies have shown a link between interrupted sleep and dementia.


18) Eat more foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, sardines, tuna, ocean trout, mackerel or herring, plus walnuts (which are higher in omega 3s than salmon) and flaxseed. Flaxseed oil, cod liver oil and walnut oil are good sources too.


19) Eat more fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables mop up some of the damage caused by free radicals, one of the leading killers of brain cells.        

How To Ward Off Dementia

Most of us start worrying about dementia after retirement - and that may be too little, too late. Experts say that if you really want to ward off dementia, you need to start taking care of your brain in your 30s and 40s - or even earlier.


"More and more research is suggesting that lifestyle is very important to your brain's health," says Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a neuropsychologist and an a djunct associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. "If you want to live a long, healthy life, then many of us need to start as early as we can."


So what can you do to beef up your brain - and possibly ward off dementia? Nussbaum, who recently gave a speech on the topic for the Winter Park ( Fla. ) Health Foundation, offers 20 tips that may help.


1) Join clubs or organizations that need volunteers. If you start volunteering now, you won't feel lost and unneeded after you retire.


2) Develop a hobby or two. Hobbies help you develop a robust brain because you're trying something new and complex.


3) Practise writing with your non-dominant hand several minutes everyday. This will exercise the opposite side of your brain and fire up those neurons.


4) Take dance lessons. In a study of nearly 500 people, dancing was the only regular physical activity associated with a significant decrease in the incidence of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. The people who danced three or four times a week showed 76 percent less incidence of dementia than those who danced only once a week or not at all.


5) Need a hobby? Start gardening. Researchers in New Zealand found that, of 1,000 people, those who gardened regularly were less likely to suffer from dementia! Not only does gardening reduce stress, but gardeners use their brains to plan gardens; they use visual and spatial reasoning to lay out a garden.


6) Walking daily can reduce the risk of dementia because cardiovascular health is important to maintain blood flow to the brain. or...Buy a pedometer and walk 10,000 steps a day.


7) Read and write daily. Reading stimulates a wide variety of brain areas that process and store information. Likewise, writing (not copying) stimulates many areas of the brain as well.


8) Start knitting. Using both hands works both sides of your brain. And it's a stress reducer.


9) Learn a new language. Whether it's a foreign language or sign language,you are working your brain by making it go back and forth between one language and the other. A researcher in England found that being bilingual seemed to delay symptoms of Alzheimer's disease for four years. And some research suggests that the earlier a child learns sign language, the higher his IQ - and people with high IQs are less likely to have dementia. So start them early.


10) Play board games such as Scrabble and Monopoly. Not only are you taxing your brain, you're socializing too. Playing solo games, such as solitaire or online computer brain games can be helpful, but Nussbaum prefers games that encourage you to socialize too.


11) Take classes throughout your lifetime. Learning produces structural and chemical changes in the brain, and education appears to help people live longer. Brain researchers have found that people with advanced degrees live longer - and if they do have Alzheimer's, it often becomes apparent only in the very later stages of the disease.


12) Listen to classical music. A growing volume of research suggests that music may hard wire the brain, building links between the two hemispheres. Any kind of music may work, but there's some research that shows positive effects for classical music, though researchers don't understand why.


13) Learn a musical instrument. It may be harder than it was when you were a kid, but you'll be developing a dormant part of your brain.


14) Travel. When you travel (whether it's to a distant vacation spot or on a different route across town), you're forcing your brain to navigate a new and complex environment. A study of London taxi drivers found experienced drivers had larger brains because they have to store lots of information about locations and how to navigate there.


15) Pray. Daily prayer appears to help your immune system. And people who attend a formal worship service regularly live longer and report happier, healthier lives.


16) Learn to meditate. It's important for your brain that you learn to shut out the stresses of everyday life.


17) Get enough sleep. Studies have shown a link between interrupted sleep and dementia.


18) Eat more foods containing Omega-3 fatty acids: Salmon, sardines, tuna, ocean trout, mackerel or herring, plus walnuts (which are higher in omega 3s than salmon) and flaxseed. Flaxseed oil, cod liver oil and walnut oil are good sources too.


19) Eat more fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables mop up some of the damage caused by free radicals, one of the leading killers of brain cells.


20) Eat at least one meal a day with family and friends. You'll slow down, socialize, and research shows you'll eat healthier food than if you ate alone or on the go.

Recognizing Alzheimer's Disease

As you are getting older and your body is changing in many ways, have you ever wondered if Alzheimer's disease is sneaking up on you? It is important to know at this time there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Today's treatments require early detection to add greater control of Alzheimer's. Early detection allows the patient and family member's time to prepare for the future.

Alzheimer's is a very stressful disease not only for the caregiver but extremely worrisome to the patient. It begins to take their life, memories and comforts away little by little which can be extremely unnerving to the patient. They are simply losing control of their lives and minds one day at a time.

According to Alzheimer's Caregiver Resource.com there are seven different stages which have been noted by doctors. While some, the later stages, are very noticeable other stages can easily be overlooked. Here is a brief description of each stage.

1. Normal function is not actually a symptom but is the beginning of Alzheimer's and is often times missed due to the fact the disease has not developed into a "noticeable" problem. Patients, families as well as many general health providers miss these symptoms because the normal aging process mirrors the same small problems. It is important to realize just because you occasionally forget where you've put something or have occasionally forgotten an appointment, does not mean you have Alzheimer's. There are tests to help determine if Alzheimer's is really the problem. Tests for early detection of Alzheimer's may include, blood and urine tests, Neuropsychological testing, and a brain imaging scan (MRI) which can notably detect the problem of Alzheimer's.

2. Very mild cognitive decline appears with some mild memory loss which is noticeable but happens seldom and does not cause noticeable distress.

3. Mild cognitive decline is oftentimes the first actual diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is found with this stage because the patient is having noticeable problems with remembering what they have read, where they have put items and having the ability to remember names of people they should easily remember.
4. Moderate cognitive decline has obvious signs such as obvious loss of memory. Important events, remembering how to do simple tasks and the ability to use common sense is common. Often times at these stage patients have trouble remembering things which happened in their personal life and thus begin to become withdrawn even from those they are in contact with on a daily basis.

5. Moderately severe cognitive decline is very apparent. The patient may have trouble remembering their home address, the day of the week and even their maiden name yet they are still able to care for their personal needs such as feeding themselves and using the bathroom with little or no assistance.

6. Severe cognitive decline is often referred to as "mid-stage Alzheimer's". Restless sleep patterns occur often and even more noted memory loss is obvious. Family and friends see very obvious signs of Alzheimer's and often times feel helpless and at a loss as how to care for the patient because they feel they are "losing that person".

7. Very severe cognitive decline known as "late-stage Alzheimer's" makes the patient dependent on others for all their care. Patients experience incontinence of urine and bowels, lose the ability to speak and often even forget how to move. This stage of Alzheimer's is very devastating to family members due to the fact the patient often times does not recognize them and is unable to communicate.

In conclusion we are advised to see our Medical Doctor on a regular basis. If any of the above signs begin to appear talk to your doctor about them and try to get a diagnosis as early as possible. Hopefully someday soon Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed and treated easily.

Jill Grant is a wife, mother and grandmother who dearly loves her family. She is a substitute teacher who loves and cares for each of the children who touch her life. She feels they teach her more about life each day she spends with them. Jill has been married to her husband 42 wonderful years and gives him credit for showing her the true meaning of love and respect. Jill has recently developed a web site dedicated to and providing products to home health caregivers and their loved ones.
Please visit her at http://www.diaperingneeds.com.

The Plain Truth About Alzheimer's Disease

You have a loved one who's showing signs of memory loss and you're concerned that it might be Alzheimer's disease. Of course, it's important that you talk to your doctor as soon as your loved one starts to show signs of memory loss or dementia.

And even though you may be fearing the worst...that it's Alzheimer's disease...there are any number of less serious reasons why someone might be experiencing memory loss or dementia. Not all of them are related to Alzheimer's...but some of them have very similar symptoms.

In either case, once diagnosed you start to worry about what your next steps should be. You don't know exactly what to do but you do know that you want to provide your loved one with the best possible care. And then you begin to realize the potential cost of caring for someone with a disease that can last for 10 or even 20 years. Can you lose everything to Alzheimer's?

Bear Up, Plan Ahead

So, you've locked down the medical side of things. Now, it's time for you to take crucial steps on the legal and financial side of things. That's because the cost of care for someone with Alzheimer's is incredibly expensive. Studies show that the cost of care in South Florida averages more than $174,000 for an Alzheimer's patient over his or her lifetime.

And while that may sound outrageous...when you consider the cost of adult daycare at $50 per day, the cost for an Alzheimer's Assisted Living or Memory Care community in surrounding areas averages at least $3,000 per month...or that the cost of a South Florida Alzheimer's Nursing Home is typically more than $6,500 per month, you quickly realize that the $174,000 lifetime figure may be low!

Fortunately, there are often programs available to help you, which you should consider immediately. The first step is to consult with a board certified elder law attorney who understands the disease, works with Alzheimer's clients and knows the ins and outs of these programs.

Be Informed! Information is Power It's critical that you and your loved ones have a chance to put the proper planning in place while there is still time. When Alzheimer's or memory loss is part of the equation, unless their wishes have been put down in writing, then the law may say you have no legal merit to act on their behalf.

The law in Florida states the Alzheimer's patient must have the legal capacity (i.e. the ability to understand) the planning steps that are being put into place on their behalf. That's why once diagnosed, the family of an Alzheimer's sufferer needs to act in a timely fashion: while the Alzheimer's patient can participate in the planning. The longer you wait, the greater the risk becomes for a Guardianship proceeding which means court and cost!

Advance Directives are a suite of legal documents that once executed, can put a trusted family member(s) in a position to act and make decisions on the behalf of the mentally incapacitated patient. These documents, if executed well, hold water for legal, financial and healthcare related situations.

Act Now! With Alzheimer's There May Be No Time Like the Present Making informed decisions may become difficult or even impossible over time. The longer you wait, the greater the risk becomes. But with proper planning, you will ensure that you've taken the best steps possible to protect your loved ones and your family's financial security. With Alzheimer's that means retaining an experienced, board certified elder law attorney who will have your loved one's best interests at heart.

Alice Reiter Feld, PA, BCS, CELA

Alice Reiter Feld, P.A., BCS, CELA is a Board-Certified Elder Law Attorney by The Florida Bar and The National Elder Law Foundation. She is AV-Rated, the highest rating afforded to attorneys. With over 25 years' experience, Alice recognizes the proliferation and non-discriminate nature of Alzheimer's disease which affects Americans, both young and old. That's why her firm has made a significant investment in extending, FREE of charge, the best materials and resources that address the unique needs of the caregivers for Alzheimer's patients: http://www.southfloridamemorylawyer.com. She is sought-after to address community and professional organizations as a staunch advocate for Alzheimer's awareness. If you are interested in inviting Alice Reiter to speak to your group or organization please forward your request to: info@florida-elderlaw.com or call: 954.726.6602.

Alzheimer's Disease - Nun Study

It is estimated by 2050 there will be more than 14 million Americans who will suffer from Alzheimer's. While it is commonly associated with old age, there is a growing number of people in their 40s who are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. For over 20 years a longitudinal study has been underway to find the causes of this dreadful disease.

In 1986, Dr. David Snowdon, University of Minnesota began his work with a group of nuns called the School Sisters of Notre Dame. It is a landmark study, which continues to this day. What makes this study so extraordinary, is that 678 nuns have agreed to volunteer their brains upon their deaths. Since Alzheimer's can only be accurately diagnosed through autopsy, their generosity has helped researchers to have a better understanding of AD.

One of the factors that makes these nuns such ideal candidates, is their homogeneity. Most of them had been together for seventy years or so and had the same diet and life-style and so forth.

Researchers from different disciplines (psychology, neurology, pediatrics,and the School of Public Health) have access to this growing body of information, as well.

Most nuns were in their 80's to 100's,but had entered the convent at the age of 22. Upon entering the convent the nuns were required to write essays introducing themselves. What Dr. Snowdon observed was that the more dense with ideas their writings were, the less likely the nuns were to have Alzheimer's. Again, the more sophisticated their grammar, the less likely they were to have Alzheimer's. On the other hand, the less complex the writings were, the more likely they were to have Alzheimer's.

Emotional states were also predictors for Alzheimer's. Again, the more depressive the tone, the more likely the nuns were to have AZ.

Wait, it gets even more interesting. In some cases, Dr. Snowdon discovered that there were nuns who had all the neuronal tangles and plaques of full-blown AD, yet had demonstrated none of the symptoms! One of the nuns, who was 101 when she died had been teaching the higher mathematics shortly up until she died.

In terms of the nuns' writings, what does it mean? Did the chicken come first, or was it the egg? Does idea density, or lack thereof, determine if a person will get Alzheimer's? Or is a more simplistic way of writing an early manifestation of Alzheimer's?

One thing of note, is that nuns who were teachers (and who continued to teach), were less likely to experience AD, than those nuns who had been more service-oriented. Which seems like a case of use it or lose it.

Another interesting finding, dietary this time, was that nuns with high folate levels manifested hardly any Alzheimer's-type damage to their brain in their autopsies. This is explained as folate acts as a check against the amino acid, homocysteine, which has been implicated in cardiovascular disease. Higher levels of folate in the blood seems to offer protection against stroke--and might even protect brain cells from damage by homocysteine in the brain.

The Nun Study is continuing, and there are now a total of five chapters operating within the U.S.

Link Between Aluminum Cookware and Alzheimer's Disease

A recent study brought dread and concern to millions of people using aluminum cookware. It is theorized that using aluminum cookware can trigger Alzheimer's disease. Take note that we are talking about high contents of aluminum to have a significant effect on the body. As an overview, Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative type of illness, and usually terminal. A person infected with it experiences dementia. He forgets the names of his loved ones and other important memories. It is caused by a lot of interacting factors like drug side effects. But more recently, it is also linked with the intake of high amounts of aluminum. And they point to aluminum cookware as the culprit.

For many years, people already know how aluminum salts can leach from a pan or pot and onto the food being cooked, especially if it is acidic. This is the very reason why aluminum-lined cookware is strictly prohibited in some countries like France, Germany, Great Britain, Belgium, Hungary, Brazil and Switzerland.

Although it is still allowed in the US, many of their aluminum cookware is now lined with non-stick coatings. Aside from this, most aluminum cookware is anodized. This means aluminum components were dipped into a type of hot acid bath, sealing it and changing its molecular structure.

Aluminum foil leaching is proven to be true. The logic behind this is that aluminum foils are produced when aluminum passes between pressurized rollers.

Aluminum is the third most abundant element. It is unavoidable that when we eat, drink or breathe, we constantly take in small quantities of this element. There is nothing to worry about because our bodies are adapted to remove it again. Studies reveal that only as little as .001% of aluminum is present in our digestive tracks. Our kidneys also immediately excrete the aluminum absorbed by our bodies.

The dilemma now lies in our changing world. With industrialization, pollution and all other natural hazards present in the environment, we are becoming more exposed to excessive amounts of aluminum. In fact, Alzheimer's is just one of the many diseases we can get from excessive absorption of aluminum.

Alzheimer's is triggered by many factors, not just aluminum. And if aluminum content is the concern, it is found in greater quantities in water supplies. It is therefore inconclusive to avoid aluminum cookware to prevent Alzheimer's.

However, the direct link between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease is still ongoing several tests to ascertain theories. And for much concern, Alzheimer's is brought about by a lot of other factors. It is a given that aluminum is one of the most popular element used in manufacturing kitchen items. Its lightweight characteristic is perfect for easy manipulation and maneuverability of several kitchen tools and utensils.

The important thing to remember is to always be safe in the cooking methods we practice. Because any material, aluminum or otherwise, can be causes of diseases if we are not careful. There is practically a certain degree of hazard in any kind of material used in kitchenware. Copper can rust and contaminate food also. Other metals like iron are also easily corrosive. So they are actually not any different with aluminum.

For more information on Aluminum Cookware and Professional Cookware Selection please visit our website.

What's The Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia?

By Molly Shomer

"What's the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's?" It's a common question, and doctors are some of the best at confusing us. Physicians seem to prefer the word "dementia," possibly because Alzheimer's has become such a loaded word. "Dementia" somehow sounds less frightening to many people, and now even the experts have started using the words interchangeably.

They aren't interchangeable. Alzheimer's Disease and dementia are two very different things.

Dementia is a symptom. Pain is a symptom, and many different injuries and illnesses can cause pain. When you go to the doctor because you hurt, you won't be satisfied if the doctor diagnoses "pain" and sends you home. You want to know what is causing the pain, and how to treat it.

"Dementia" simply means the symptom of a deterioration of intellectual abilities resulting from an unspecified disease or disorder of the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease is one disease/disorder that causes dementia. Many other illnesses or "syndromes" can also cause dementia. Parkinson's Disease can cause dementia. A stroke can cause dementia. Even dehydration can cause dementia.

Many of the things that can cause dementia are treatable, even potentially curable.

If you have taken your elder to the doctor and received a diagnosis of "dementia" you haven't received a diagnosis at all. Unless you know what is causing the dementia you can't begin to treat it's root cause.

If your physician has diagnosed "dementia" it's time for a second opinion. You are probably dealing either with a physician who is not comfortable with the truth, or one who doesn't know how (or doesn't want to bother) to differentiate between all the possible causes of dementia. Either way, a skilled geriatrician or a neurologist who is comfortable with seniors would be a good place to start.

© 2006. Molly Shomer, author of "The Insider's Guide to Assisted Living" and Head Coach of The Eldercare Team. Visit http://www.eldercareteam.com for more expert eldercare information, resources and support.