Debunking common myths about Alzheimer's and Dementia

- There are so many myths that surround Alzheimer's and dementia most of them have no scientific basis and push some very harmful rhetorics about the disease.

1. “IF MY PARENTS HAVE ALZHEIMER’S I WILL ALSO GET ALZHEIMER’S”

- It is normal to have these thoughts but unfortunately this is not always the case. You might have a higher risk of getting Alzheimer's but it is not guaranteed. Some patients with no family history of Alzheimer's can also develop the disease. There are a lot of environmental factors

besides genetics that can cause the development of the disease

2. “ ONLY OLDER PEOPLE GET ALZHEIMERS”

- This is a common myth that has been disproved since symptoms can

appear as early as in your 30s to your 60s. Early onset Alzheimer's is rare but it affects 10% of people with Alzheimer's.

3. “ VACCINES CAN CAUSE ALZHEIMER’S”

- There have been no correlations made between getting vaccines and

an increased risk of getting Alzheimer's. In fact, studies have shown that people who have gotten a flu (influenza) and pneumonia

vaccine had a 17% lower incidence of getting Alzheimer's.

4. “MEMORY LOSS IS NORMAL AS YOU AGE”

- It is common to be forgetful as we age but as we know Alzheimer's

entails a lot more than forgetting the name of someone you just met. It is a neurodegenerative disease that causes the death of our brain

cells. Some signs to look out for can be someone getting lost in

familiar places or forgetting how to use common everyday objects -

5. “ THERE IS A CURE FOR ALZHEIMER’S”

- Unfortunately, there are no known cures as of right now but there is

dedicated research to the subject. There are treatment options

available to improve the symptoms temporarily and even slow down

the progression of the disease

6. “ALZHEIMER’S IS CAUSED BY ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ”

- This is a myth that originated in the 60s and 70s but studies have

been conducted and there is no link seen between using aluminium products and Alzheimer's.