One in five people over 70 in Turkey are showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, according to Dr Serdar Taşdemir, a neurology specialist at ISÜ Medical Park Hospital in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, who stressed the importance of taking preventive measures against the future onset of the disease.
‘Participating in mental and physical activities, exercising regularly, reading, learning new skills and taking part in social activities can significantly delay the onset of Alzheimer’s,’ Taşdemir explained to media, adding that the disease begins to manifest itself with subtle symptoms such as memory problems and progressively deteriorates cognitive functions, eventually affecting the daily activities of the sick person, who gradually loses autonomy until they lose motor skills and the ability to interact with their environment.
‘The disease, named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, becomes more common with age, particularly from 65 onwards. There are currently 45 million people worldwide diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and this number is expected to reach 135 million by 2050. In Turkey, 1 in 5 people over the age of 70 show symptoms of the disease, with a higher incidence among women,’ the doctor said.
For Taşdemir, lifestyle factors contribute to the increase in Alzheimer’s cases in Turkey: ‘Longer life expectancy, irregular diet, sedentary lifestyle, uncontrolled hypertension, diabetes and chronic diseases are the main risk factors,’ explained the neurologist, who added that while there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet, good sleep habits and regular physical and mental activities delay its onset.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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