10 myths and truths about Alzheimer's disease

4. If your memory starts to go, you must be developing Alzheimer's.
False Memory loss is a natural part of aging -- Alzheimer's disease is not. Though Alzheimer's features memory loss, it is also characterized by other distinct symptoms, such as lack of judgment or reasoning, disorientation in time and place, and changes in mood or behaviour. Alzheimer's affects a person's ability to function on a day-to-day basis: simple tasks, such as brushing his or her teeth or using a microwave, become a challenge, which can contribute to the sudden mood swings that Alzheimer's sufferers sometimes experience. It's important to remember that while they lose their cognitive abilities, Alzheimer's sufferers never lose their feelings -- it's crucial to treat them with the same respect and care that you did before they were diagnosed with the disease.

5. Alzheimer's disease means a downward spiral into confusion, misery and sadness.
False With the love and support of family and friends, people with Alzheimer's disease can live well postdiagnosis. The past five years have seen several studies conducted on the quality of life in patients with Alzheimer's or related dementia. Researchers found that while caregivers often felt sad or frustrated over their loved ones' memory loss or struggle to perform everyday tasks, the people affected often had less insight into those losses and, therefore, rated their quality of life higher than their caregivers did.

To help an Alzheimer's patient, family members should try to stay calm and remain positive when possible. A little bit of empathy on the part of the caregiver can go a long way toward making the patient's quality of life better -- he or she won't feel so alone or like a burden.

6. Exposure to aluminum causes Alzheimer's disease.
False Researchers have conducted many studies in the last 20 years on the relationship between exposure to aluminum and Alzheimer's disease. The results of the studies have been so inconsistent that experts conclude that there is only a weak association -- if any -- between the two.

The main factors that may contribute to developing Alzheimer's are lifestyle-related, such as a diet high in processed or fatty foods, which can lead to high cholesterol and high blood pressure. These factors increase the risk of heart disease and also of having mini-strokes, which in turn increase the risk of dementia.

Maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits through your 50s and 60s are good ways to try to prevent Alzheimer's, so improve on those first before you throw out your aluminum pots and pans.