11-3
Part Two:
Health, Dementia, and
Alzheimer’s Disease
Health
•
•
•
•
•
As the body grows older, the body’s disease-fighting immune system
weakens, making the elderly MORE vulnerable to life-threatening
problems.
Ex- Cancer, Pneumonia
However, because the elderly have fought more small sickness
throughout their life-time, their collection of antibodies, they are
LESS vulnerable to short-term ailments, (common flu, cold viruses,
etc).
Memory begins to deteriorate with age, more slowly in women than
men.
Exercising is GOOD for the brain! Exercise stimulates brain cell
development and connections.
Dementia







A mental erosion
In Latin “de” means without and the root of “ment” is “mens”
meaning mind
Dementia- without mind
Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain
diseases. It affects memory, thinking, language, judgment,
and behavior.
Degenerative- irreversible, cannot change
Common in the elderly
A common type of dementia- ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Alzheimer’s Disease




Alzheimers Disease- a progressive and irreversible brain
disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of memory,
reasoning, language, and physical functioning.
After 5-20 yrs, the person becomes emotionally flat, and
eventually mentally vacant.
The cause: Loss of Brain cells and deterioration of neurons that
produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
Physically active people are at less risk, as well as people who
have an active, challenged mind— commonly the mind of an
educated, active reader.