Separating Fact from Fiction: Common Myths About Alzheimer's Disease Debunked
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Separating Fact from Fiction: Common Myths About Alzheimer's Disease Debunked

A progressive neurological disorder, Alzheimer's disease is often misunderstood due to various long-held myths and misconceptions. These myths can hinder understanding and delay diagnosis and treatment.

Here, we address six of the most common myths about disease.

Myth 1: Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Are the Same

A common misconception is that Alzheimer's disease and dementia are interchangeable terms. Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, while Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. Other types of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia.

Myth 2: Only Older Adults Develop Alzheimer's

While age is a significant risk factor*, Alzheimer's is not exclusive to the elderly. Early-onset Alzheimer's can occur in individuals as young as 30, although it is rare. Approximately 5% of people with Alzheimer's have early-onset forms of the disease, however, this is more likely to be related to genetic risk factors than the late onset variant.

Myth 3: Memory Loss Is a Normal Part of Aging

While some memory loss can be expected with aging, Alzheimer's-related memory loss is different. It involves more severe and persistent memory problems that interfere with daily life. It is crucial to differentiate between normal age-related forgetfulness and Alzheimer's symptoms.

Myth 4: Alzheimer's Is Solely a Genetic Disease

Although genetics can play a role in the development of Alzheimer's, it is not solely a hereditary disease. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and exposure to environmental risks also contribute to the risk. Having a parent with Alzheimer's does not guarantee that one will develop the disease.

Myth 5: There Is No Hope or Treatment for Alzheimer's

While it’s true there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, there are treatments available that can manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Medications can help with cognitive symptoms, and ongoing research is exploring new treatment avenues. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly enhance the quality of life for those affected.

Current medications cannot stop worsening of symptoms or bring lost memory back, but can help to slow the progression of the disease.  Beginning these medications earlier in the disease course may help to preserve daily functioning and allow for planning for the future.  Equally as important as medications are support networks, addressing safety issues, and proper living arrangements.

Myth 6: Alzheimer's Can Be Prevented

No definitive prevention method exists today. However, certain lifestyle choices may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's. These include maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and managing cardiovascular health. However, these strategies do not guarantee prevention.

Dispelling myths about Alzheimer's disease is crucial for improving understanding and support for those affected. By recognizing the facts, individuals and caregivers can seek appropriate medical advice early, which can lead to better management of the disease and enhanced quality of life for patients and their families.

 

Jennie Smyth is a PA with the neurology department of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. 

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How to Become a Mask Wearer

Long before COVID-19, online chat groups for people with pulmonary fibrosis (PF) were filled with posts about how uncomfortable it is to wear a mask in public: not physically uncomfortable, a fact that was barely mentioned, but psychologically uncomfortable. For people with this condition or the lung transplant used to cure it, catching a cold or the flu could be deadly. They need to wear masks in public to help protect themselves from getting ill.

The participants discussed how awkward it is riding the bus in a mask, going to the grocery store in a mask, or boarding a plane while wearing one. They were mostly self-conscious that others would think they were ill or weak. Many would rather suffer the risk of getting fatally sick than put a mask on in a department store.

Now, we've all been directed to wear masks in public. Both Bennington and Wilmington's Select Boards have passed local mandates requiring masks in public places. This—along with distancing and handwashing—are crucial parts of returning to a more normal way of life. Suddenly, we are all feeling the psychological discomfort PF patients have felt for many years.

People usually have an interest in blending in. And, just like doing anything out of the ordinary, wearing a mask for the first time definitely feels like putting yourself out there. If we want to return to a somewhat normal way of life, masks are crucially important, along with frequent, thorough handwashing and keeping a distance from others.

Here are a few tips for making the leap from being someone nervous about wearing a mask to being a person who wears one regularly.

Do it for others. We know that people can spread COVID-19 as many as a few days before they get sick. Even if you feel fine, you could have COVID-19 right now without knowing it. At the same time, masks are far better at keeping sick people from spreading germs than they are at keeping people from getting sick. So wearing a mask isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of altruism. It's like saying, "I am not certain that I am not sick, so I want to pay those around me the consideration of limiting the likelihood I will infect them." Think of it as a badge of kindness.

Get a mask that fits. We know that masks are not completely comfortable physically. Getting the right fit makes a big difference in their "wearability." Cloth masks are readily available online and from local groups. The Green Mountain Mask Makers have excellent information and resources. If you can, purchase a few types in a few sizes to see which you like best. Buy enough of that type to allow washing between trips out in public.

Get a mask that you like. Once you have found a mask source and as long as you have a choice, pick one that you like. You can choose colors that match your wardrobe or that represent your interests, like camouflage. There are even masks that look like fashionable scarves when they hang around your neck. The sooner we start thinking of masks as part of our outfits, as essential and unremarkable as shoes or a belt, the healthier we will all be.

Try to quit caring about what others think. This one is hard. But one wise PF patient wrote, "I just don't give a darn!" Essentially, he shared that if people want to judge him for wearing a mask, so be it. Their opinions don't have a single thing to do with him. Many in the chat group applauded his confidence and vowed to adopt his attitude.

If we all do our best, soon the cultural scale will tip. Wearing a mask or not wearing one will cease to be a political statement. It will be normal. And thankfully, if wearing a mask in public, handwashing and sanitizing, and keeping our distance are all normal, going out into public again can be safe and normal too.

Donna Barron, RN, is the infection preventionist at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

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