Common Myths About Alzheimer’s Disease
There exist a number of myths surrounding Alzheimer’s disease, which can be easily cleared up with a little knowledge. Among these myths include such claims as silver dental fillings causing an increase in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and that aluminum causes memory loss. In addressing these concerns, the reader will be able to debunk ridiculous claims and better treat themselves or their loved ones.
The first myth is that Alzheimer’s is not fatal which, unfortunately, is not true. This disorder will destroy brain cells and cause memory loss, odd behaviors and loss of body functions. It will slowly take away your ability to live a normal life as was enjoyed before the disease was contracted. There also exists the idea that only elderly people can receive this disease; however, in early onset Alzheimer’s, those under the age of 65 can develop dementia, with over half a million sufferers in America. The early onset of Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 10% of all Alzheimer’s cases in the United States.
The myth exists the idea that the artificial sweetener, contained in such products as NutraSweet called Aspartame, causes memory loss and can affect the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The US Food and Drug Administration approved this sweetener in the mid-1990s, and since then, many health concerns have been raised about this product. In 2006 the FDA, after many criticisms, concluded that after a hundred clinical studies Aspartame does not cause Alzheimer’s and is perfectly safe for human consumption.
Another myth, usually used by people who want to wish away the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, is that memory loss constitutes a natural part of aging. While this is certainly true, severe memory loss is usually a symptom of a serious illness that requires immediate treatment.
Throughout the period of the 1960s, it was believed aluminum might cause Alzheimer’s disease, and many people were suspicious about drinking out of aluminum cans or cooking with aluminum pans. Since these public concerns, there been a number of studies conducted in there and found no links between aluminum at Alzheimer’s disorder, and it is concluded that everyday aluminum used by consumers does not pose a threat to good health.
Another popular myth was a theory that flu shots can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, which was proposed by a doctor whose license had been suspended by the state of South Carolina. A few mainstream studies actually link flu shots with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s. The Canadian Medical Journal found in 2001 found that older adults who had received childhood vaccinations had a much lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than those who would not, and the Journal of the American Medical Association found a reduced risk of death from all causes in adults who had received flu shots.
Another myth is that there are treatments available to stop Alzheimer’s disease in its tracks, which is unfortunately not the case. The disease can be managed and drugs can slow the symptoms for about six to 12 months, however, this will not actually improve the illness itself.
The last myth to be debunked is that silver fillings can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. Silver dental fillings usually contain about 50% mercury, which is a heavy metal known to be toxic to the brain. A number of health agencies such as the World Health Organization and the FDA endorsed the use of amalgams as safe, and studies by the National Institute of Health and the New England Journal of Medicine confirm these findings.
With so much information out there it is easy to become confused as to what is fact and what is fiction. Hopefully, debunking most of these myths will clear up any misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease and lead to the correct treatment options. While we currently do not know the causes of Alzheimer’s, the future of research looks bright.