Are Women the Primary Targets of Alzheimer’s Disease
Just as criminal investigators strategically attempt to understand the psyche of serial crime doers in order to stay steps ahead in the game, so do scientists and doctors in the continuing battle against the most popular type of dementia, the Alzheimer’s disease.
Among their efforts is determining the population niche that presents higher probability to suffer from Alzheimer’s in order to focus their efforts into understanding why these groups are the likely targets and how they can work against falling prey to the disease.
Many people believe that women are higher risk targets of Alzheimer’s. Based on a 2007 study by the Alzheimer’s Association in the United Sates of America, out of all the aging population in America beyond 70 years old, 14% are currently suffering from dementia. If broken down into gender, 16 percent of these aged women and only 11 percent of aged men are estimated to be victims of this very saddening illness.
But do not make the mistake of drawing quick conclusions on the gender-preferences of Alzheimer’s. Take a step back. Scientists and doctors have come to realize that it is not due to any specific attributes of women that merit the higher percentage of victims within their circle. It is basically due to the fact that women have proven to live longer than men. Think about it. If one enjoys a longer life expectancy, it is only logical that this aging disease is allowed more time to afflict the individual. Needless to say, the complete cycle of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is likewise permitted to take place, causing a stronger impact and attention on the individual.
There are several symptoms before the onset of severe Alzheimer’s. Among them are declined memory recalls, hardship encountered in doing common tasks, speaking deficiencies, shifts in mood, manners and personality, and becoming passive, in general. All these symptoms can mark the different stages of Alzheimer’s.
According to studies, there are generally seven stages in Alzheimer’s disease. The first stage is, ironically, one where no particular symptom can be detected. Stage two will exhibit normal aging ‘slips’ in behavior that makes it very difficult and even close to impossible to differentiate as Alzheimer’s. It is on the third stage and onwards that Alzheimer’s can be a consideration.
Now, unless the inflicted individual is able to live long enough to exhibit all these symptoms and stages in Alzheimer’s, a diagnosis of the disease cannot be made. Because of this, women, who are proven to live longer than men, are observed to suffer from Alzheimer’s more than men.
Just as criminal investigators strategically attempt to understand the psyche of serial crime doers in order to stay steps ahead in the game, so do scientists and doctors in the continuing battle against the most popular type of dementia, the Alzheimer’s disease.
Among their efforts is determining the population niche that presents higher probability to suffer from Alzheimer’s in order to focus their efforts into understanding why these groups are the likely targets and how they can work against falling prey to the disease.
Many people believe that women are higher risk targets of Alzheimer’s. Based on a 2007 study by the Alzheimer’s Association in the United Sates of America, out of all the aging population in America beyond 70 years old, 14% are currently suffering from dementia. If broken down into gender, 16 percent of these aged women and only 11 percent of aged men are estimated to be victims of this very saddening illness.
But do not make the mistake of drawing quick conclusions on the gender-preferences of Alzheimer’s. Take a step back. Scientists and doctors have come to realize that it is not due to any specific attributes of women that merit the higher percentage of victims within their circle. It is basically due to the fact that women have proven to live longer than men. Think about it. If one enjoys a longer life expectancy, it is only logical that this aging disease is allowed more time to afflict the individual. Needless to say, the complete cycle of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s is likewise permitted to take place, causing a stronger impact and attention on the individual.
There are several symptoms before the onset of severe Alzheimer’s. Among them are declined memory recalls, hardship encountered in doing common tasks, speaking deficiencies, shifts in mood, manners and personality, and becoming passive, in general. All these symptoms can mark the different stages of Alzheimer’s.
According to studies, there are generally seven stages in Alzheimer’s disease. The first stage is, ironically, one where no particular symptom can be detected. Stage two will exhibit normal aging ‘slips’ in behavior that makes it very difficult and even close to impossible to differentiate as Alzheimer’s. It is on the third stage and onwards that Alzheimer’s can be a consideration.
Now, unless the inflicted individual is able to live long enough to exhibit all these symptoms and stages in Alzheimer’s, a diagnosis of the disease cannot be made. Because of this, women, who are proven to live longer than men, are observed to suffer from Alzheimer’s more than men.
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