Each and every year, since 1994, September 21 is a day to fight Alzheimer's disease, initiated by organizations involved in this disease study and research aimed to slow down its progression. Even in ancient Greece the relation between old age and continuous decline in thinking was noted. First described by a German doctor Alois Alzheimer in 1907, the disease was characterized as one of the common forms of acquired dementia (dementia). Alzheimer's disease was recognized as an independent disease. Often females are more prone to this disease. Till today Alzheimer's disease has been considered incurable. The main reason for this condition is likely to be heredity. This question has not been completely understood, but a number of genes determined the disease has already been identified.
According to statistics, on average, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the person lives for about 7 years and only 3% overcome the 15-year mark.
Dementia primarily affects elder people. At age up to 50 years old dementia only develops in one person out of thousand; in people over 65 the chances of getting ill increase to one per 20 people; among people over 80 every fifth person is diagnosed with the disease. Currently in the world more than 35 million people are suffering from senile dementia. According to experts, this number will increase steadily and may reach 115 million people by 2050.
The best prevention of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia is a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, sports and the ability to cope with stress.