How does Exercise Help Prevent and Manage Alzheimer's Disease?

06/28/2024

Some Astonishing Facts and Stats About Alzheimer's:

• Alzheimer’s or any other dementia comes out responsible for the mortality of 1 out of 3 older Americans. The number of deaths from Alzheimer's is higher than the deaths from breast and prostate cancer caused together.

• The number of deaths due to Alzheimer's has doubled over the span from 2000 to 2021. On the other, the number of deaths due to the leading cause of death, i.e., heart disease, has decreased over time.

• Older adults living with this brain disorder have a twofold increased risk of dying before reaching 80 as compared to people without this medical condition.

• Younger people may also develop this medical condition; however, it is less common.

What are the Common Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

The number of symptoms and their intensity depends on the stage you are on. You may observe a different set of symptoms at different stages. Memory problems are considered the first signs of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Along with this, you may observe a slow decline in  most of the following:

• Language

• Memory

• Behavior

• Personality

• Reasoning and handling of difficult tasks                                                   

People with this brain disorder may not observe this mental decline. However,  these signs can be more apparent to their loved ones or people they are close to. If you see any of the above-listed symptoms in anyone around you, you should take them to the doctor as soon as possible. 

The following are the symptoms of mild Alzheimer’s   

• Troubles in making plans

• Taking longer than usual to finish daily tasks

• Misplacing objects more often

• Unable to find the right words to express thoughts and feelings

• Having difficulty problem-solving

The following are the symptoms of moderate Alzheimer's

• Trouble in recognizing family and friends

• Unable to solve basic math

• Can't do self-care on their own

• Sleep disturbance

• Personality changes more often

• Increased memory loss and confusion

• Being forgetful a lot

• Forgetting basic details like address and phone number 

The following are the symptoms of severe Alzheimer's

• Being unaware of one's own surroundings

• Needs help with all daily activities, such as eating, walking, and brushing

• Unable to communicate effectively

• Prone to infections such as pneumonia and skin infections

• Total memory loss

Role of Exercise in Alzheimer's Disease:

Exercise is the key to a healthy and active lifestyle. Daily exercising can do wonders for your overall health, including mental health. Do you know exercise is highly effective and fruitful for people living with Alzheimer’s disease? It doesn't cure the condition completely, but it can help control the severity of the symptoms.

One of the core benefits of exercise is 8 hours of peaceful sleep. Lack of sleep can disrupt alertness, hindering the daily tasks that require mental alertness. Exercise is also effective in elevating mood. As a result, the chances of encountering mood swings are less. Repetitive tasks like indoor bicycling, walking, and folding laundry can ease the anxiety symptoms in people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Such tasks don’t require critical decisions or a high consciousness level. Moreover, they can be satisfied knowing they have achieved something once they have completed the task.

Please check with your loved one’s doctor to know the type of exercise suitable for them. The doctor may conduct a thorough analysis to find the exercises that suit their fitness level, overall health, and ongoing treatments. Along with this, the doctor may also advise on the following:

• The types of exercise that should be completed avoided

• The types of exercise that they should focus on

• How hard they should be working out

• What should be the duration of the exercise session 

What are the Benefits of Exercise for Alzheimer’s Patients?

Regular physical activity can lead to the following benefits for Alzheimer's patients:

Enhanced Cognitive Function:

If you are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, you should exercise regularly as it slows down cognitive decline, which, as a result, improves memory, enhances attention, and boosts executive functioning.  

Better Mood and Fewer Symptoms of Depression:

People living with Alzheimer’s often encounter the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. In order to reduce these symptoms, they should engage in easy-going physical activities such as running, jogging, or brisk walking. Physical activities release feel-good hormones, promoting a better mood and well-being.

Improved Sleep Quality:

Regular physical activities can improve sleep patterns in people living with Alzheimer’s. As a result, it improves sleep quality and reduces night-time agitation.

Elevated Physical Endurance and Strength:

Engaging in moderate to vigorous physical training can improve muscle strength, coordination, and balance. Improving physical fitness reduces the chances of falling and helps you maintain balance independently. 

Boost Blood Flow:

When you engage in any physical activity, it enriches blood flow to the brain, delivering vital nutrients and oxygen that improve brain health and cognitive function.

Promotes new brain cells:

Exercise also encourages the development of brain-derived neurotrophic factors. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor comes out as a protein that stimulates the growth and maintenance of brain cells.

Conclusion:

Alzheimer’s is a neurological disorder that is more common in people above 65 years of age. The first signs of this may take 10 years or more to appear. As soon as you come across any of the above-listed symptoms of this condition, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. People with Alzheimer's should include exercise in their daily routines. Engaging in physical activity results in ultimate benefits such as enhanced cognitive function, better sleep, improved blood flow, etc., easing the associated symptoms.

FAQs:

1. How does exercise help prevent Alzheimer's? 

Regular exercise can be highly fruitful for people living with Alzheimer’s. A study revealed that regular exercise for one year promoted a small increase in the size of the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the major brain area that plays a significant role in memory. Over a short period, aerobic exercises such as running and jogging can improve how healthy adults act on tests associated with thinking. 

2. How can I exercise my brain to prevent dementia? 

In order to prevent brain dementia, you should engage yourself in brain-challenging games such as tabletop, videogames, jigsaws, sodoku, crosswords, chess, and other memory games. You should go for games where you utilize your brain and interact with other people. Playing such games will exercise your brain, lessening your chances of developing dementia.

3. Does an active mind prevent Alzheimer's?

There is a multitude of studies that reveal that interacting with people around you, maintaining social connections, and keeping your brain active can diminish the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia, with aging.

4. How is math key to preventing Alzheimer's? 

Studies conducted in the past reveal that cognitive training, such as solving mathematical problems, can assist in slowing down cognitive decline. Along with this, you should also focus on eating a balanced diet packed with vegetables, fruits, and lean protein, being physically & socially active, and engaging in aerobic exercises.