HEALTH

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of irreversible dementia (gradual loss of memory, intellect, rational thought and social skills). Nearly 7 out of 10 people with dementia have the Alzheimer’s type.

While Alzheimer’s disease affects up to 1 in 10 Australians over 65 years of age, and up to 3 in 10 Australians over 85, it is not a normal part of ageing.

The brain contains millions of brain cells (neurons) that organise how the brain stores memories, learns habits and shapes our personality. Signals pass along the connections between brain cells in the form of chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Alzheimer’s disease affects these cells and chemicals, disturbing memory, impairing thinking and causing behaviour changes over time. People with Alzheimer’s disease eventually need long-term care and support. There are 2 main types of Alzheimer’s disease: • Sporadic Alzheimer’s is the most common form and usually occurs after age 65. Its cause is not fully understood. • Familial Alzheimer’s (sometimes referred to as ‘hereditary’) is caused by a very rare genetic condition and results in dementia, usually in people in their 40s and 50s. This is known as younger onset dementia.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? Early on, Alzheimer’s disease may be hard to notice. The first signs are usually memory loss and difficulty finding the right words for everyday things. However, many people have trouble with memory but don’t have Alzheimer’s — so it’s important to visit a doctor to work out the exact cause of memory problems.

Other common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include: • vagueness in daily conversation • lack of enthusiasm for activities you once enjoyed • taking longer to do regular tasks • forgetting well-known people or places • difficulty processing questions and instructions • a decline in social skills • unpredictable emotions

Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes classified into three stages, based on the severity of symptoms: 1. Mild Alzheimer’s disease: early signs of dementia, no additional support is usually needed. 2. Moderate Alzheimer’s disease: symptoms are difficult to cope with and support is likely to be required. 3. Advanced Alzheimer’s disease: continuous care in all daily activities may be needed.

Symptoms will progress differently between people, depending on what areas of the brain are affected. As the disease progresses deeper into the brain, other functions are affected and symptoms get worse.

For people with familial Alzheimer’s disease, mutations in three genes have been found to increase the production of amyloid plaques that damage the brain. There are other ‘risk-factor genes’ that may increase a person’s chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease earlier in life. How is Alzheimer’s disease treated? Although there is no cure, certain treatments may improve symptoms for a time. Many people with Alzheimer’s disease also learn ways to cope with their symptoms, and improve their quality of life. Other interventions If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, it may be helpful to make changes to their. Check out Dementia Australia’s help sheets.

Source; and more info. At: healthdirect.gov.au/alzheimersdisease

Our dietitians are here to help you with heart healthy nutrition.

Tess Keightley

Tess believes there is space for all foods in our diets and has a very balanced approach to nutrition. She can work with you to create realistic and sustainable goals that are best suited to your needs and lifestyle.

At EONLife Wellness you can work one-on-one with our dietitians so they can provide you with individualised nutrition support to improve your health via nutrition coaching, tailored meal plans and nutrition education.

To find out more, call our friendly team at EONLife Wellness on 07 5414 1100. EONLife Wellness is a sister company of Heart HQ. Visit www.hearthq.com.au for more details.

Megan Rowley

Megan can support you to create balanced and realistic nutrition goals. She can create individualised nutrition interventions that support and manage your health concerns, while fitting in with your lifestyle.

For our bodies to work, we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. People with diabetes can’t convert sugar to energy efficiently. This leads to high levels of sugar in the blood, called hyperglycaemia.

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, controls our blood sugar levels. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or your body becomes resistant to insulin.

There are different types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

People with type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin and require lifelong insulin replacement to survive. The disease can occur at any age, although it mostly occurs in children and young adults.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with hereditary factors and lifestyle risk factors. These include poor diet, not getting enough physical activity, and being overweight or obese. People with type 2 diabetes may be able to manage their condition through lifestyle changes. However, they may also need diabetes medications or insulin replacement to control blood sugar levels.

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after the baby’s birth. Women who had gestational diabetes while pregnant are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later. What are the symptoms of diabetes? Common symptoms of diabetes include: • excessive thirst or hunger • passing more urine than usual • feeling tired and lethargic • unexplained weight loss (for type 1), or gradual weight gain (for type 2) • having cuts that heal slowly • itchy skin or skin infections • blurred vision

Type 1 diabetes is usually spotted quickly, since symptoms can appear suddenly. Most people with type 1 diabetes are diagnosed before the age of 19.

Many people with type 2 diabetes, however, don’t have symptoms at all or have signs that go unnoticed for a long time. When should I see my doctor? Diabetes is serious but can be managed well with a combination of medicines and lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis and treatment can also help to reduce the risk of more serious complications. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of diabetes or have concerns about your risk of diabetes. Can diabetes be prevented?

While type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, there is clear evidence that maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and following a healthy eating plan can delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes. Healthy habits that can help prevent type 2 diabetes include: • healthy eating • maintaining a healthy weight, or losing weight if you are overweight or obese • regular physical activity • quitting smoking • reducing your alcohol intake (fewer than 4 standard drinks a day)

Source; and more info. At: healthdirect.gov.au/diabetes

DIETITIANS AT THE HEART OF YOUR HEALTH

Residents of the Sunshine Coast now have access to a new dietitian service with a focus on heart healthy nutrition.

Tess Keightley and Megan Rowley of EONLife Wellness work with patients one-on-one to provide them with individualised nutrition support to improve their heart (and overall) health. They offer nutrition coaching, tailored meal plans and nutrition education.

“Improving your diet quality can significantly improve your heart health,” says Tess. “With the support of your dietitian, the right diet can help reduce your blood pressure, manage your weight, reduce cholesterol levels and improve your blood sugar levels.”

Tess believes there is space for all foods in our diets and has a very balanced approach to nutrition. She works with patients to create realistic and sustainable goals that are best suited to their treatment plan and lifestyle. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition and Tess will work with you to create a nutrition plan suited to your individual needs.

Megan also supports patients to create balanced and realistic nutrition goals. She can create individualised nutrition interventions that support you and manage your health concerns and treatment, while fitting in with your lifestyle.

It was her own family history of cardiovascular disease that led Megan to seek experience within the cardiac rehabilitation space during her studies.

EONLife Wellness, a sister company of cardiac care specialists Heart HQ, is based in Sippy Downs and has ample patient parking.

To find out more or to make an appointment with Tess or Megan, call the friendly EONLife Wellness team on 07 5414 1100 or visit www.hearthq.com.au for more details.