Saturday, May 28, 2005

Drinking and brain damage

Alzheimer's News: "(Fisher Center for Alzheimer�s Research Foundation) � People who head out at the end of the day with colleagues and friends to chat over several rounds of drinks may be doing long-term damage to their brains, a new study finds. The result could mean memory problems, impaired thinking, and loss of other essential mental skills.

�Socially functioning heavy drinkers often do not recognize that their level of drinking constitutes a problem that warrants treatment,� the researchers, from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and the University of California in San Francisco report.

In the study, the researchers recruited people who considered themselves social drinkers. Heavy drinkers included men who drank on average more than 100 drinks a month, and women who drank more than 80. That translates to three or so drinks a night, or more drinking on weekends. A drink is generally defined as a glass of wine or a can or bottle of beer, or one serving of spirits."

A drink or two a day is recognized by many as an effective way to ease stress. Some studies even suggest that antioxidants and other substances in wine and other beverages may boost longevity and heart health and possibly even help to ward off serious ailments like Alzheimer’s disease. (See the story “A Little Wine May Keep the Mind Sharp” on alzinfo.org, at http://www.alzinfo.org/news/11_02c.aspx )

Heavy alcohol use, on the other hand, is known to damage the liver and other organs, including the brain. In some cases, heavy drinking can lead to permanent memory problems that resemble those of Alzheimer’s.

Any damage to the brain—whether it’s due to alcohol, poor blood flow, a stroke, or other reasons—is not a good thing. Alcohol damage may be particularly important for those concerned about ailments like Alzheimer’s, since a diminished brain capacity may contribute to memory problems and speed the onset of mental decline, research suggests.

The bottom line: If you drink, do so in moderation. That means two drinks a day tops for younger men, and just a drink a day for women and older people.

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Thursday, May 19, 2005

Dementia - useful resources

betterhealthchannel.com: "Keys to understanding Alzheimer's disease" - page does what it says..

For understanding from the point of view of the person with dementia the following books are written by people with dementia - an angle we as carers often ponder:

Christine Boden was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at age 46 and now lives with a re-diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, made when she was 49. This is the first book written by an Australian with dementia and offers a unique insight into her battle with the disease.



"Living in the labyrinth: A personal journey through the maze of Alzheimer's, by Diana Friel McGowan. An autobiographical book which tells of the author's struggle with the effects of Alzheimer's disease and offers the reader an insight into the world of dementia." Not available on Amazon but other books about alzheimers and dementia on Amazon are available.

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Spring is in the air...GG goes a- wandering

Smell the panic! Twice in the past week H has not been in when P then F arrived for the evening social. Twice he has turned up, once at his old address ( where luckily other family members now live) and once back at the extra care restaurant having made his own way back from wherever...

P imagines all sorts and is especially worried that "something will happen" and our holiday will be up the spout. Again.

Off course it has to be a beneficial side effect that he gets fresh air and exercise - tired himself out last Friday and ready for bed at nine - but it is a real concern as he is very unsteady and obviously has little clue as to where he is or where he has been.

Alzheimers Australia have a PDF help sheet which: "looks at the wandering behaviour of some people with dementia. The reasons for wandering are discussed as well as some suggestions for way to manage it."

Most important I reckon are that the wanderer has some ID and a contact phone number on them plus carers have a recent photo in case the police need to search.

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Wednesday, May 18, 2005

The Alzheimer's Prevention Plan

www.patrickholford.com A new book to be published in June: "The Alzheimer's Prevention Plan" maybe offers hope of avoiding becoming a mess like many now in their 70s and 80s.....

Blurb reads: "according to a number of top health experts, Alzheimer’s disease is probably completely preventable. "It is time we woke up to the fact that Alzheimer’s is a preventable disease, not an inevitable part of ageing." says Professor David Smith, Deputy-Head of Oxford University’s Medical Sciences Division, whose research team believe they’ve found out how to identify those at risk – and reverse the risk with simple diet changes. But you have to start young. “The disease process begins early in life, already in our 30s some of us have signs of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain, just as we have atherosclerosis in our blood vessels.” Says Smith. "Scary as that sounds, especially if your memory isn’t exactly up to scratch, the good news is that it’s highly likely that you can reverse the risk with a few simple diet and lifestyle changes."

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Sunday, May 08, 2005

LONDON ENTREPRENEUR LAUNCHES SUCCESSFUL BABYCARE PRODUCTS

re importing US productswith sole distribution rights ArriveNet Press Releases : Business: "Previously only available in the United States and Canada, Mrs. Testa�s business is distributing two key products, Table Topper and Potty Topper, to establishments across the United Kingdom. Mums (and Dads) are fanatically loyal to these innovative, unique products, as they feature safety and convenience."

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