It might seem like a bizarre connection, but a common mouth germ could be responsible for more than just bad breath. It may be one more puzzle piece in understanding why and how Alzheimer’s disease forms. The bacteria that causes bad breath and gingivitis, the same mouth germ that can cause endocarditis if it travels to the heart, may now be implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown the...
I follow news closely because of selfish worry I may develop dementia following the loss of both parents to this devastating brain disease. My middle-aged siblings and I are -children of dementia. A history lesson may be in order for perspective. The German physician Alois Alzheimer studied Auguste Deter in 1906; you can think of Auguste as dementia’s patient zero. Dr. Alzheimer worked to understand...
Everyone’s brain gets a bit dim with age; it’s part of the normal aging process. However, forgetfulness can also be a sign that -something more serious- is at play, such as dementia, hypothyroidism, medication interactions, brain tumor, trauma or another disease. If an illness is to blame, quick intervention is vital. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the difference between normal forgetfulness...