Health news, tips and features: Healia Health Blog

March 19th, 2008

10 Million Baby Boomers May Develop Alzheimer’s Disease

Health News posted 4 years ago by The Healia Team

The Alzheimer’s Association released a report Tuesday stating that Alzheimer’s disease is now the seventh deadliest disease in the nation and that women are at greater risk of the disease than men. The report also predicts that an estimated 10 million American baby boomers (1 out of every 8) will develop Alzheimer's disease in their lifetime.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and fatal brain disease, and the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior severe enough to affect work, life-long hobbies, or social life. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, has no current cure, and is fatal.

This projected rise will make a huge impact on baby boomers' lives, their families, and the nation's health-care system. Most people with Alzheimer's are eligible for Medicare, so a high number of Alzheimer's patients will put a major strain on the federal health insurance program. The increase in Alzheimer's cases will also burden the long-term care system.

Researchers have found a connection between Alzheimer's and cardiovascular disease. Diet, exercise, and blood-pressure control may help fight cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. To find out more information about Alzheimer’s disease, visit healia.com.