Elderly people are warned by a recent study that stress can increase their risk of having Alzheimer's disease. The research revealed that old people who are exposed to stressful situations are twice likely to develop a mental disorder that leads to Alzheimer's.
Albany Daily Star said the study conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System discovered that aging people who are stressed are likely to have mental problems like mild cognitive impairment than those who are not stressed. Researchers advised the elderly to have proper stress management techniques to help them avoid having Alzheimer's.
"Perceived stress reflects the daily hassles we all experience, as well as the way we appraise and cope with these events," said research author and neurology expert Mindy Kat. "Perceived stress can be altered by mindfulness-based stress reduction, cognitive-behavioral therapies and stress-reducing drugs. These interventions may postpone or even prevent an individual's cognitive decline."
The same report also highlighted that aside from Alzheimer's, old people are also at risk of acquiring other mental illnesses if they are stressed. It was noted that these diseases can, more often than not, also lead to extreme memory loss.
According to Alzheimer's Society, 60 percent of people with mild cognitive impairment later develops Alzheimer's disease. It added that one of the contributing factors to this effect is chronic stress among old individuals.
ALZ.org said adults can determine if they are stressed when they are always angry, anxious, depressed, lacks sleep and finds it hard to concentrate. It noted that for the elderly to avoid stress, they should know the cause and address it accordingly.
The same report also suggested that people should find ways to relax like listening to music or going to a spa. Communicating your feelings to the people you love is also important to live a life without stress.
