Instruction
Risk Factors
1-In summary, AD is one of the neurodegenerative severe health disorders, which usually begins at any stage, matures gradually, and climaxes at advanced stages of growth and development. Typically, amnesia, alongside dementia or cognitive malfunctions, characterizes the initial stages of this incurable disease.
Precisely, genetics, lifestyles, alongside environmental factors, form the primary causes of the disease. Several risk factors identified that might be related to to the development of AD are advancing age, the apolipoprotein (APOE) e4 gene, female sex, family history of AD, mild cognitive impairment, smoking, obesity at midlife, diabetes, midlife hypertension, midlife high cholesterol, moderate and severe traumatic brain injury, fewer years of formal education, and lower levels of social and cognitive engagement (DiMarco et al., 2014).
Exposure to specific environmental factors such as toxic chemicals and brain injuries, among others, are also notable risk factors for AD.
Certain risk factors are modifiable, such as in the case of an unhealthy lifestyle, smoking, obesity, and non-compliance with medication regimens for diabetes and hypertension. Although studies on depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance currently do not demonstrate any correlation to AD, screening, and treatment for these conditions are relatively low-cost and potentially preventive measures to be considered in a more holistic approach to AD prevention (Burke et al., 2018). Identifying and educating patients on modifiable risk factors is vital in promoting quality of life.
However, despite all the modifiable risk factors, as advanced nurse practitioners, we have to be aware of our patient's advanced age, especially from 65 years onwards, and recognize if AD signs and symptoms become evident or more pronounced.
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Describe risk factors for development of Alzheimer’s disease and whether any are modifiable.
Age is the most important risk factor for AD. This may result from a significant accumulation of environmental exposures. Genetic components also play a substantial role in AD. Heritability estimate of approximately 60% based on the twin study design and 24%-53% cases based on genome-wide association studies (Lo, et al. 2019)
Some modifiable risk factors for early Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment have been identified. Diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, hyperlipidemia, use of anticholinergic medications, head trauma, depression, anxiety, lack of social interaction, lack of cognitive leisure activities, loneliness, isolation, lack of physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, and poor diet are some of the modifiable risk factors. Interventions would be to control blood pressure, encourage physical activity, control diabetes, stop smoking, and opportunities to increase social engagement can be addressed by the nurse or healthcare provider (Hope, 2020).