![]() These drugs do much more than lower cholesterol levels. The dilemma is determining fair and equitable ways to define personal goals and distribute the rewards. The incentives must be linked to results. For financial incentives to result in major lifestyle improvements, signing up for a program won't be enough. Some companies are offering financial incentives for people to join programs to stop smoking, exercise more and lose weight. What we need are the right incentives to get more people engaged in lifestyle change and to stick to it. Knowing what we should do has not translated into action. Four changes in our lifestyle can substantially decrease our risk-taking in fewer calories to keep body weight in check, getting more physical activity combined with at least 30 minutes of dedicated exercise time daily, avoiding tobacco use and making healthy food choices. We know a lot about how to prevent coronary-artery disease. Other drugs are designed to block the formation and deposit of amyloid in the brain. Others have completely new actions, such as facilitating the transmission of nerve signals between brain cells. Some are enhancements of types of drugs already on the market. There is a host of new medications in various stages of development. ![]() More important, the clinical trial was stopped because of significant side effects. While the vaccine did seem to slow down mental decline in some patients, the results were not conclusive. On the treatment front, there were high hopes for a nasal Alzheimer's vaccine designed to attack brain beta amyloid. Test accuracy will improve and scientists will discover methods of prevention beyond a healthy lifestyle. Diagnostic evaluation with genetic testing and spinal-fluid analysis will become more valuable over time. However, like spinal-fluid analysis, it is far from perfect. Genetic testing can identify some individuals who are at higher risk. But many people with abnormal spinal fluid do not develop Alzheimer's. People who have a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer's tend to have lower levels in their fluid, indicating higher deposition of brain beta amyloid. People with Alzheimer's accumulate beta amyloid in the brain. Spinal-fluid sampling and analysis for a protein called beta amyloid has shown promise as a diagnostic test prior to symptom onset. ![]() Since changes in the brains of people with Alzheimer's start years before symptoms occur, modifying these risk factors in midlife and perhaps sooner may be the best way to prevent or at least delay onset of the disease. ![]() Although not validated yet, four of the seven are similar to risk factors for heart attack and stroke-hypertension, an abnormal cholesterol profile, obesity and physical inactivity. In a study published in the September issue of Lancet Neurology, researchers identified the seven factors most closely associated with Alzheimer's disease and then devised a risk profile based on these factors. We are already getting a glimpse of the future based on some key developments in prevention, earlier diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It also means changing our priorities, putting health and disease prevention ahead of convenience, at least some of the time. This requires studying different designs for our homes, offices and communities. To help people take personal responsibility for staying healthy, we need to make it easier to live healthier. Driving is no longer a convenience for most people it is a necessity. Malls and superstores have replaced local shops. With suburban sprawl, wider streets make less room for sidewalks. In America, a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention have not been priorities for community planners. Good health and disease prevention are usually toward the bottom of the list when we consider where and how we live. Many experts worry that if we don't improve our eating habits and level of physical activity, we will see an unprecedented decline in life span. While average life expectancy in most developed countries continues to increase, the rate of rise is slowing.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |