Dementia Time Bomb

[Gob]

Ever-growing waistlines could result in a big increase in the number of people who develop dementia in the future, researchers have warned.

Previous studies have shown that being overweight in middle age increases the odds of developing the mental disorder.

Data presented at the European Congress on Obesity suggests stemming the rise in obesity will cut dementia.

The Alzheimer's Society charity said regular exercise and a healthy weight were important for reducing risk.

Piling on too many pounds is known to be bad for the body, but there is growing evidence that it is also bad for the mind.

Nobody knows exactly what causes dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, but body weight appears to be a risk factor.

One study of 8,500 Swedish twins showed that those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30, who are classified as obese, were almost four times as likely to develop dementia as those with a normal BMI.

Even those who were clinically overweight, a BMI between 25 and 30, were 71% more likely to develop dementia.

In England 24% of men and 26% of women are obese.

Researchers from the UK Health Forum used computer models to compare what would happen if obesity rates stayed the same or increased to 46% of men and 31% of women by 2050, which has been predicted by some groups.

They said rates of dementia would go from 4,894 cases in every 100,000 people over 65 to 6,662 cases in every 100,000 people over 65.

Keeping obesity levels constant would save around £940m in dementia care, the study predicted.

Tim Marsh said: "We've known for a long time about the risks to cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, type 2 diabetes, so this is a new concern.

"Obesity is a major concern that's going to have a major economic impact on the country and this further compounds that.

"The trouble is there's a 25-year lag in this. Obesity started increasing in the 80s."

Jessica Smith, a research officer at Alzheimer's Society, said: "It's easy to see the immediate impact of piling on the pounds, but we can't afford to ignore the long-term effects.

"Evidence shows that obesity increases the risk of developing dementia. This study highlights the impact obesity will have on the numbers of people with the condition in the future.

She added that "maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly - especially in midlife - are hugely important in reducing your risk".

[Long Run]

On the upside, many will forget why being obese is not a good thing.

[dales]

There is an Alzheimer Society - didn't they forget why they're there?

[Lord Jim]

You mean to tell me that the fact that I've gotten fatter means I'm going to lose my memory?

Well thank God, at least I'm not going to lose my memory....

[Guinevere]

I've said it before, and I've said it again, dementia is not a laughing matter. Those of you making jokes, I hope you never have to deal with it. It is one of the most painful experiences of my life, watching my father's mind slip away, and its even more painful and frustrating for him.

[Crackpot]

Fuck you for poo pooing our coping mechanisms

[Lord Jim]

Except for the "fuck you" part, CP raises a legitimate point...

It's human nature to poke fun at the things we're afraid of....

[Crackpot]

it's the unmitigated gall to assume that people haven't or aren't dealing with it that gets to me.

[dales]

If i'm ever incapcitated by Alzheimer's i'm swallowing a bullet.

Why should i put my family thru hell and the taxpayers paying out a ship load of money for an incurable condition?

[Guinevere]

CP, you're an unmitigated asshole. Grow up already, why don't you.

[Crackpot]

Let me clue you into something sister I have and possibly will deal with it. Part of being a grownup is realizing that people deal withrhings differently. So you can cut your self righteous bullshit.

[Big RR]

Guin--I will tell you that I have found that sometimes humor is the only way to deal with painful situations. I am the medical proxy/attorney for a very dear friend of mine (in his early 50s) who has both rapidly progressing dementia and physical disabilities due to progressive neurological disease. He is in a nursing home a good distance from me (I've been working on a transfer but the red tape is horrible), and I try to visit as often as I can; if I couldn't laugh about it I'd be crying all the time. It's not a lack of caring or due to callousness, it's a coping mechanism. Indeed, we'll sometimes even tease him if he's starting to get flustered--and it often seems to calm him down and evoke a laugh; I'm sure he is frustrated and scared by what's happening, but the gentle teasing reminds him he's still the same guy to us.

We all cope differently, but sometimes it's "whatever gets you through the night".

[dgs49]

This may be obsolete science, but it was long thought that enhanced oxygen was beneficial to slow and treat dementia, though certainly not a cure. Hyperbarric chambers were in vogue for a while. People with more active lifestyles have better circulation, and process oxygen better in their lungs and heart. This may partly explain why fatties - arguably having less active lifestyles - may be more prone.

My PCP considers me to be at risk for dementia, and I have been taking B12 shots for years, as a preventive measure. I wholeheartedly agree with Dales on tbe best treatment protocol, though I'm thinking a high-speed, one vehicle motorcycle accident might be a funner way to go. Messier, but funner.

[dales]

I believe my method has less chance of error.




Shall we try our proposed methods and we'll each get back to the BBS?

[Lord Jim]

My PCP considers me to be at risk for dementia

Dave, I seriously doubt that your fan club here is going to let that one slide....

[rubato]

Just another reason to address the obesity epidemic.

yrs,
rubato

[Joe Guy]

Dementia is probably caused by all that lead in the rice people are eating.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Or paint chips

[dales]

They make snack chips from paint?

Who wudda thunk it?

[oldr_n_wsr]

They make snack chips from paint?

Who wudda thunk it?

They must, what with 1/2 million kids having high levels of lead in their blood stream. I guess the FDA (or the USDA) was hit hard by the sequestration.