NWHRC: Women & Alzheimer's Disease

Cover story:

Women & Alzheimer's Disease
An estimated 4.5 million Americans - more than half of them women - have Alzheimer's disease. Given the aging of the baby boomers and the growing number of "oldest old," those 80 and above, that figure is expected to more than triple by 2005, when an estimated 13.1 million Americans will be living with the disease. Yet, despite the prevalence of the disease, American's overall knowledge of Alzheimer's disease is severely lacking. Find out what scientists know now about the causes of Alzheimer's disease, why early diagnosis is so important but still tricky, the 10 warning signs of the disease, advances in treatment and prevention through regular exercise and eating a healthy, nutritious diet and much more, and much more in this issue. Full story

Estrogen and Alzheimer's Disease
For a long time, researchers thought that the hormone estrogen protected women against the development of Alzheimer's disease, and that menopausal hormone therapy could delay or even prevent the onset of the disease. That is no longer the case. Full story

Caregiving and Alzheimer's Disease

The typical caregiver is a 46-year-old woman, married and working outside the home. Overall, she spends as much as 50 percent more time giving care than male caregivers, according to the Family Caregiving Alliance. The personal toll on a caregiver's health can be enormous, resulting in a weakened immune system, greater risk of cardiovascular disease, and overall, an increased risk of early death. Caregiver burnout is increasingly viewed as a public health issue. Find out what caregivers can do to avoid burnout. Full story

Departments:

Lifestyle Corner: Take a Walk: Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH
Until recently, Alzheimer's disease seemed like the black hole of medical research. Now major scientific studies are shedding light on the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing one's risk for developing the disease. Activities that stretch your mind, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and others are turning up again and again as important in major studies. Find out more about what you can do, and learn more about lifestyle changes that may help a loved one with Alzheimer's disease cope better with various aspects of the disease, such as sleeping problems and anxiety. Full story

Ages & Stages: Cardiovascular Disease & Alzheimer's Disease
One of the most intriguing discoveries around Alzheimer's disease in the last few years is that many of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease - high blood pressure, being overweight, high cholesterol levels, a sedentary lifestyle -- are also risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Although researchers are still exploring the link, they have several theories. Full story

Ask the Expert: Common Questions and Answers about Alzheimer's Disease

"I've heard that there are stages of the disease. Can you explain what they are and what they mean for me as a caregiver?" "How do I know when it's time to move my father into a nursing home?" Full story

Resources
National organizations and Web sites for more information

References

© 2004 The National Women's Health Resource Center. All rights reserved. Reproduction of material published in the National Women's Health Report Online is encouraged with written permission from NWHRC.

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