|  | Mental Health | General Mental Illness

Alzheimers & Head Injuries

While the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not yet known, there is certain evidence that suggests that the condition is related to head injuries. Trauma to the brain may bring on the disease earlier than if not exposed to the injury. Also, there is correlation that brain trauma can lead to Alzheimer's later in life.

  1. Alzheimer's Disease

    • Alzheimer's disease is a disease of the brain that affects more than five million Americans and is the seventh leading cause of death in America, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Gradually the disease wipes out brain cells, leading to memory loss, and progressively becomes fatal. The disease was first recognized in the early 1900s by a German doctor named Alois Alzheimer.

    Medical Evidence

    • The Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation states that during head injuries, enzymes are created in the brain and are toxic to the body. These enzymes are caused by trauma to the head, decreasing blood flow to the brain. These enzymes also create another form of enzyme, called beta-secretase. Beta-secretase leads to the creation of plaque, which is found in Alzheimer's patients.

    Veterans Research

    • According to healthodpedia.com, a survey of U.S. veterans revealed that trauma to the head early in life is connected with an increase of Alzheimer's. The odds for the brain disorder were higher in those who suffered more severe head trauma earlier in life.

    Football Players at Risk

    • Former players in the National Football League are more susceptible to develop Alzheimer's disease and other mentally-related conditions. Players between age 30 and 49 were more than 10 times more prone to have difficulty with memory issues than those men of similar age who never competed in professional football.

    Prevention

    • While head injuries cannot always be prevented, there are certain precautions that can be taken to minimize head injuries. This includes always wearing your seat belt when you are in the car, wearing a helmet when competing in sports and driving a motorcycle, and making your home safe from falls by making sure railings are secure.

General Mental Illness - Related Articles