Deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease Soaring

Deaths from Alzheimer’s disease are increasing at an alarming rate. Over the last decade there has been a 68% rise in mortality linked to dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is now the sixth most common cause of death in the U.S. Dementia often leads to swallowing problems. This in turn can cause a person to inhale food or beverages and develop pneumonia. Immobility can also lead to blood clots. Malnutrition is another common outcome, making people more susceptible to complications from infection.
There are no effective treatments to prevent or significantly delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Recent drug studies have been disappointing.
There are, however, a number of approaches through foods and beverages that may be helpful, though none are a panacea. The Mediterranean diet has shown some promise, especially compared to a typical high-sweets American diet. Coffee drinkers may have some protection, and curry might also be helpful. Certain drugs can increase the risk of dementia. We discussed Alzheimer’s disease and how families can handle it with two renowned experts in the field, Dr. Murali Doraiswamy and Lisa Gwyther, MSW, in 2009.
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp#mortality