July 24 & 25, 2002
There are several ways
to hold back Alzheimers
By KATHY SCOTT
He was an educated, well-
spoken, compassionate and
gentle man and he could not
remember my name. My fa-
ther’s beloved personality
was lost, or trapped, some-
where inside his dementia.
To watch him spiral into a
pit of darkness and bewil-
derment was heart-wrench-
ing. Now as my mother’s
memory begins to fade, my
siblings and I wonder if de-
mentia is in our future. If we
forget where we have
parked the car are we step-
ping onto that terrifying
path of forgetfulness and
fear? What can we do to
keep our memories intact
when family genetics point
toward memory impair-
ment?
Scientists are constantly
researching diseases that
cause dementia. Different
drugs are currently being
tested. These drugs may
someday be used to keep de-
mentia at bay or even re-
verse it. Since Alzheimer’s,
for instance, does not usual-
ly strike until later years,
holding back the conse-
quences of the disease for a
couple of years can be ex-
tremely helpful.
A couple of discoveries of
importance include the use
of anti-inflammatory drugs,
vitamin E and estrogen. It
seems that people with
arthritis have a lower occur-
rence of dementia. Swelling
of the brain occurs at some
point in dementia and if an-
ti-inflammatory drugs re-
duce swelling arthritic
joints, then they may well
reduce inflammation of the
brain. Many of us frequently
consume anti-inflammatory
drugs and do not even real-
ize that we may be doing
our brains a favor. Vitamin E
is a simple over-the-counter
attempt to keep our minds
clear for a little longer.
Estrogen, a common hor-
mone offered to menopausal
and peri-menopausal
women, is also reputed to
delay some of dementia’s
nightmarish symptoms. This
treatment has not been ab-
solutely proven but some
women who take an estro-
gen replacement do find
some success in maintaining
memory.
Some of our everyday ac-
tivities may have to be al-
tered to protect us from de-
~mentia. Research suggests
that if you are pre-disposed
to a certain type of
Alzheimer's disease, you
would do well to stay away
from high-fat foods. Since
more and more of us are at-
tempting to cut high-fat
food out of our diets, we can
consider this practice a good
one for our heads as well as
our hearts. Keep track of
your blood pressure. High
blood pressure may cause a
reduction in blood to the
brain. Making sure that your
blood pressure is within nor-
mal limits is another easily
accomplished precaution to
take. Play games, read, take
a college course—do any-
thing that exercises your
mind. Wear your seat belt
when you drive or ride.
Protect your head by wear-
ing a helmet when you ride
a bicycle, motorcycle or any
other form of transportation.
Take your vitamins and eat
your fruits and vegetables.
These common activities
and precautions are some-
thing we can do now before
we reach the age of maxi-
mum danger.
Oh, and about that lost car
question? Experts say that
from time to time we all for-
get where we have parked
the car. So don’t panic un-
necessarily.
Staff photo by Lib Stewart
SERVING THE COMMUNITY - The Bessemer City Health Care Center located behind Besse-
mer City Middle School may be the best kept secret for health care in western Gaston County.
The center, staffed by nurse practitioner Sherley Brito, offers medical services to all ages.
BRITO, from page 3
comes to preparing Mexican
dishes, he rarely deviates
from their diet, preparing
vegetables they both like to
eat.’
Bessemer City Health Care
Center could be one of the
best kept secrets in the
greater Bessemer City area.
Planning began for the
satellite clinic in 1994. The
health center opened in 1998
and is funded through
grants to provide a
convenient, local health care
facility for the community.
The center continues to be
governed by Advocates for
Healthy Citizens, a board of
school, community and
health care representatives.
Brito sees 15 to 16 patients
on a daily basis. She
diagnoses, refers to
specialists when necessary,
prescribes medications,
operates an in-house
laboratory and provides
electrocardiograms and
immunizations, among other
duties.
Family roots are important
to the Brito family. She
recalled that growing up in
Costa Rica the siblings use
both their parents’ last
names, but when a woman is
married she takes her
husband’s last name.
“This means you belong to
. that person,” said Brito.
Brito’s youngest patient is
18 months of age and her
oldest patient is 93. Her
three-person staff includes
receptionist Pamela Seagle
and nursing assistant Olita
Conrad. Conrad, of Smyrna
SC, a certified medical
assistant, has been'with the-
clinic since it opened.
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