Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. It is, currently, incurable, degenerative, and terminal. Generally, Alzheimer's is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less prevalent early onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier.
In the United States, there are currently 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, including their caregivers. Over the next 40 years, with the expected aging of the U.S. population, Alzheimer's disease will exact a significant toll on the United States, both in terms of health care costs and number of people diagnosed with the disease.
A simple DNA test can evaluate your risk of an Alzheimer's diagnosis. As mentioned above, today there is no cure for Alzheimer's but an Alzheimer's Association report demonstrates that small and perhaps more readily available treatments to delay the onset or slow the progression of the disease are available. Small steps taken today may help to improve the quality of life of the person diagnosed with the disease as well as lessen the emotional and financial cost on the family.
It is estimated that Medicare costs are three times higher for the Alzheimer's patient and private health insurance premiums are 26% higher. Having a DNA test performed by a private DNA collector, (as opposed to your insurance company's designated laboratory) will not impact your health insurance premiums as the report is confidential and only available to the participant. I don't know about others, but lately I've received "informative pamphlets" from my private health insurance company regarding my health which is obviously based on blood work and/or prescriptions. I pay them a monthly fee to keep my costs down, not to get involved in my private health issues. I can't shake the feeling that someone (other than my doctor) is reading my private laboratory reports and compiling information about me that will somehow impact my future. (Perhaps I won't be allowed to live in a "assisted living faciltiy" or an "over 55 community" based on today's tests.)
If you participate in a private DNA test and the results indicate you carry a higher lifetime or genetic risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimers, it is certainly recommended that you consult with your physician. You have the option of letting your private health insurance know about your condition by limiting the tests your doctor orders. Your physician can do an initial assessment of symptoms and determine whether you actually have the disease or it has not yet developed. It is important to understand that a genetic risk does not necessarily mean the disease will fully develop in certain individuals. There are significant environmental factors over which you do have control in order to either delay onset or avoid onset.
Congress is currently reviewing an act to develop a federal plan to address the future impact of Alzheimer's disease on the U.S. population. (H.R. 4689). For more information, you can contact the National Alzheimer's Project Act via email at advocacy@alznj.org.
Today, your
local DNA collector doesn't just let you know "who's the daddy" but your
local DNA collector can also provide what is known as
Predictive Genetic Tests. Are you predisposed to colorectal cancer or does your
DNA tell us that you have a predisposition to Celiac's disease?
Your
local DNA collector can collect a small sample of your DNA via finger stick blood drop (think of a diabetic test strip) and within days provide you with your risk factor expressed in terms of a percentage for developing the following diseases.
It is important to note that although you may have risk factors for these diseases, there is no concrete evidence that you would develop the symptoms or full blown diseases. However, a few preventive measures taken today may contribute to your quality of life later on.
Diseases on the Preventive Genetic Test- Lupus
- Graves' disease
- Celiac disease (** change your diet now)
- Multiple sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Atrial fibrillation
- Heart disease (** change your diet now)
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Venous thromboembolism
- Alzheimer's disease (remove sources of Aluminum in your household)
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis (increase use of tumeric in foods)
- Migraine
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes (increase activity; cut down on carbohydrates)
- Cancers
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Gastric cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Skin cancer
When we hear a diagnosis of cancer, many of us still think it is a "death sentence". But cancers are curable and in some cases preventable based on diet and exercise. Much of the treatment today, (although nothing is pleasant) is not as debilitating as it once was. Diagnosis and early detection are once again key to improving your quality of life. Are you prone to skin cancer - use high strength sun screen creams, use a foundation with SPF in it and avoid strong hot sun hours between 11 am and 2pm in your teens, 20s and 30s and improve your chances of avoiding any serious skins conditions. Are you prone to gastric cancer - go easy on the hot liquids, caffeine and hot, spicy foods.
After you have a predictive genetic test, it is always best to consult with your Primary Care Physician in order to determine any steps you should immediately take based on results. Minors should not be subjected to Predictive Genetic Testing.
