Calves know

video on Wikimedia about PADClick for Wikimedia video about PAD

When you are with your parent who is over 50, have you heard them complain of pain in the calf of the leg while walking or at rest?

That may be a sign of PAD, Peripheral Artery Disease. PAD is a circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. It is also called "PVD" for peripheral vascular disease.

Other symptoms of PAD include 1) foot or toe wounds that won't heal or heal very slowly, 2) coldness in the lower leg or foot. A doctor can perform simple tests to diagnose PAD.

The incidence of Dementia has been proven to be higher among those with Cardiovascular disease with PAD. It has also been shown that PAD is a risk factor for Alzheimer's. (ref)

People with PAD may not have cardiovascular disease but simply have fatty deposits in their arteries, lessening their capability to transport blood. However, PAD can reduce blood flow to the heart and brain, not just the legs. Reduced blood flow to the brain will result in damaged cognitive function and the onset of dementia or Alzheimer's.

To fight PAD, a person should eat healthy, exercise, and stop smoking. All this is MUCH easier said than done. Yet, the prospect of memory problems is a strong encouragement to anyone who desires to be in good health well into their retirement years.

Most people who smoke or overeat want to do better. They may not understand why they cannot overcome their addictions. Perhaps if they can achieve a small victory, they will feel able to do better. For example, if they are in the habit of having dessert every evening, having dessert only on Sundays is an idea. Special rewards are more fun than continuous routine.

Some people are more encouraged to change a pattern if their sacrifice will help another person. If your parent is interested in homeless missions or a foreign mission, perhaps each skipped dessert can remind them to contribute a quarter to a piggy bank for that cause. Eventually, they will be able to donate a significant gift, and that may make them feel better than simply the reward of better health.

Getting older and memory

First in a series on Dementia

Dementia is a condition of some elderly people. The older an elderly person becomes, the more likely it is that they can develop dementia.

Normally, "elderly" is defined as "over 65." It is past "middle age."

Various diseases of the nervous system and their symptoms may be involved in dementia. It is common that more than one disease process will be involved, and include both neurodegenerative and vascular diseases.

What are the neurogenerative diseases? They include Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's and "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." We will look at each of these in this blog series.

What are vascular diseases? They include stroke, "peripheral artery disease, (PAD)," blood clots, and other conditions relating to blood flow and the vascular (blood vessels) system.

As we think about dementia, let's always keep a positive outlook. Perhaps this series will help you think of ways to prevent it in your own life, or if a family member or loved one suffers from it, you will learn to understand them better.