Alzheimer’s rates have reached an impressive number as experts ask for change

Alzheimer’s disease now affects more than seven million people in the United States and almost four out of five North -Americans say they would like to know if they have it before the symptoms arise.

This data comes from the annual report of the Alzheimer’s Association, entitled “Facts and figures of Alzheimer’s disease”.

“For a long time, it was like:” Oh, I would not want to find out. “So, knowing that people can make more now is to make a difference in stigma,” said Dr. Elizabeth Edgerly, Principal Director of Community Programs and Services for the Alzheimer’s Association, in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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Edgerly referred to the advancement of technology that allows the early detection of Alzheimer’s, making the tests more accessible than ever.

Traditionally, Alzheimer’s Pre-Symptoms have involved expensive and invasive methods such as PET scans and spinal taps.

And when it comes to senior health, it can be difficult to determine the level of emergency in potential red flags, according to Edgerly.

“We are trying to get to the place where cancer is today: more openness, support and survival.”

“People are struggling to try to find out: Is normal aging, or something we should review?”

Another obstacle is that the tests can take a long time. “This process can take months or even years to reach the point where someone has a definitive diagnosis,” said Edgerly.

The introduction of a new blood test – which may predict the likelihood that Alzheimer’s will develop in a person before the symptoms begin – makes the process much less puzzling, the expert said.

“It is much more common, more affordable, more accessible.”

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The increasing desire for transparency could also be related to the strong increase in care costs and care labor.

The national cost of taking care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia is expected to reach $ 384 billion by 2025, up to $ 24 billion only a year ago, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

About 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $ 413 million.

“Anyone who has taken care of someone or having close friends who have affected each other … It’s hard not wanting to change this,” said Edgerly, whose mother suffered a form of dementia.

“I am a neurologist, here is why dementia is increasing and how to reduce the risk”

Three out of five people surveyed said they would accept a moderate or even high level of risk to take medicines to curb the progression of the disease.

Although much research is still needed in the progression of the disease, Edgerly said that people can take action to reduce their risk.

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“Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables; the Mediterranean diet is probably the one that most people know – exercise, handle things like high blood pressure … All this seems to make a positive difference,” he told Fox News Digital.

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With more than 140 treatment options in the works, Edgerly said that the North -Americans may feel more optimistic than ever on the reality of Alzheimer’s, even when the risk grows in the midst of an aged population.

“We are also seeing that there is a greater recognition from Alzheimer’s,” said the expert. “For a long time and still many people are not diagnosed. But these numbers change.”

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“We are trying to get to the place where cancer is today: more openness, support and survival.”