Anxiety disorders are common across the world, thought to affect around 40 million adults each year. However, as if these feelings of worry and fear aren't enough to contend with, a new study suggests that older people who have worsening anxiety symptoms may be more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that increasing symptoms of anxiety were linked to higher levels of beta-amyloid, which is a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, in the brains of older people with normal cognitive functioning.
Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia characterized by problems with memory and thinking, as well as changes in behaviour.The precise causes of Alzheimer's disease remain unclear, but scientists believe that beta-amyloid plays a key role.
This is a protein that can form "plaques," which have been found to block nerve cell communication in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.These plaques are considered to be a hallmark of the disease, and research has suggested that an increase in beta-amyloid levels can occur up to 10 years before the onset of Alzheimer's symptoms.According to the new study, anxiety could play a significant role in increased beta-amyloid levels among older adults.
Studies have suggested that depression and anxiety might be indicators of Alzheimer's, since symptoms of these mental health conditions often occur in the early stages of the disease. It was found that adults who showed an increase in anxiety symptoms over 5 years of follow-up also had higher levels of beta-amyloid in their brains. The researchers say that this indicates that worsening anxiety might be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease. The scientists point out that follow-up studies are required to determine whether older adults who experience an increase in anxiety symptoms actually go on to develop Alzheimer's.
What can you do to relieve anxiety?
1. Yoga
2. Healthy Food with lots of fruits and salads
3. Lot of water intake
4. Exposure to fresh and clean air
5. Physical exercise
Stay healthy and stay blessed!