MSDH Stresses Prevention During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Mississippi has the highest death rate in the nation for Alzheimer’s, a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. An estimated 7.4 million Americans over age 65 are currently living with the condition, a number expected to nearly double by 2050. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) wants you to know that despite the data, you may be able to stave off the disease by making intentional decisions to improve your brain health.
People with one or more of these 10 symptoms should see a physician to determine the cause:
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and not being able to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood or personality
Hinds County is ranked fifth for Alzheimer’s prevalence for the second consecutive year, and Black Americans are twice as likely as White Americans to develop it. In addition to seeing your doctor if you notice symptoms, we recommend taking these steps to help prevent the disease.
Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging. For more information on recognizing and preventing brain diseases, visit https://msdh.ms.gov/dementia. You can also call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 helpline: (800) 272-3900.
Stay up to date on news on the MSDH Healthy Mobile App, on our website www.msdh.ms.gov, and on social media: facebook.com/healthyms, twitter.com/msdh and Instagram.com/healthy.ms
