| Some assume that Alzheimer's disease merely | | | | with frustration, as stress can make matters worse. |
| affects the memory of a person. This can be true, | | | | Intellectual pursuits such as mathematics or even a |
| but only in the early stages of the disease. In the | | | | simple crossword puzzle, performed daily, can work |
| case of Auguste Deter in 1901, the first person to be | | | | wonders on the mind of a senior citizen. This |
| diagnosed, her symptoms began lightly, and only | | | | intellectual activity is merely an offshoot of social |
| gradually did it begin to take its toll. Admitted into a | | | | activity, designed to present new challenges to the |
| mental institution, she was treated by Dr. Alois | | | | physical prowess of the human brain, and to never |
| Alzheimer, who treated her with several tests. At | | | | allow it to grow bored and slack, like a malfunctioning |
| first memory loss seemed the only culprit. But in time | | | | couch potato. Since some folks out there consider |
| her condition grew worse. Overtaking her entire brain, | | | | the word "intellectual" to be frightening, maneuver |
| it seemed Auguste Deter had lost any ability to | | | | around the matter to fit the lifestyle. From |
| function on her own will. | | | | computers or, to the computer-illiterate, |
| This tragedy of Alzheimer's amounts to a person's | | | | pick-up-and-play peripherals like the Nintendo DS, |
| inability to remain themselves. It is enough for a | | | | intellectual stimulation can be as accessible as channel |
| disease to take a person's life; it is another for it to | | | | surfing, and twice as fun. |
| shatter their sense of self. | | | | Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown, though as of |
| In light of this colossal toll, a variety of methods exist | | | | yet unproven, to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's |
| to keep the disease at bay. One of the common | | | | disease. This happens because DHA, a fatty acid |
| conceptions of preventative measures remains to | | | | present in Omega-3, reputedly interrupts the |
| engage in social activities. Several studies and theories | | | | formation of tau, a protein that causes complications |
| reveal that people who do not regularly socialize, or | | | | in the fibers of the brain, thereby being one of the |
| do not, in some way, engage in reciprocity, are more | | | | two catalysts that lead to Alzheimer's. This can only |
| susceptible to an early onset of Alzheimer's. So those | | | | be seen as a preventative measure or as therapy to |
| who ritually remain in solitude, who give their brains | | | | slow down the disease. It is in no way a cure. And so |
| very little new information to process, should make | | | | a diet primarily made up of fish, as seafood tends to |
| the effort to "exercise" their frontal lobes. The point | | | | be fortified with Omega-3, as well as eggs, is a sure |
| here is stimulation of the brain; and any activity not | | | | way to start the day. |
| rote and preordained should in turn be stimulating. | | | | Of course, a fortified diet and stimulation of the brain |
| Intellectual challenges may be the most refined way | | | | should be general practice for anybody. But in the |
| to stimulate the lobes of your brain. This kind of | | | | fight against Alzheimer's, it can turn out to be a |
| "agitation" can be seen as a physical message. It | | | | lifesaver in the effort to save one's sense of self. |
| works out all the kinks. But don't confuse stimulation | | | | |