Alzheimer's Disease

Exactly one year ago today, my husband and I were flying back to the midwest to attend his grandfather's funeral. Let me just say, it's not the way we wanted to spend the fourth of July. Greg has such fond memories of his grandfather while he was growing up, many that he will never forget. But the one memory that will last for the rest of his life, is the last time he got to see his grandfather before he died.

This picture was taken at Christmas time 2012, roughly six months before his grandfather died. Greg and I went to visit his grandparents (along with our dog) while we were visiting family for the holidays. When we showed up, his grandpa saw him from across the room and immediately his face lit up, and he threw his arms up for a giant bear hug. The reason this memory is so precious, is because the last time Greg saw his grandpa, his grandpa not only recognized him, but he knew exactly who he was. 

Greg's grandfather died of Alzheimer's Disease. He was diagnosed a couple years before that and he responded relatively well to treatment. However, like any other Alzheimers patient, he had his good and bad days. Days that he remembered who he was and who his family was, and days that he didn't. 

In honor of Greg's grandfather, July's prayer topic will focus on Alzheimer's disease and overall brain health. (Check out our 52 weeks, 52 prayers campaign to learn more about our prayer topics). 

A few facts about Alzheimer's Disease:

1. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells resulting in loss of memory, thinking, language, and behavioral skills. There is no cure, and the disease will continue to worsen with time.
2. Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the number of people dying from Alzheimer's is growing rapidly. Currently, 1 in 3 seniors cause of death is due to Alzheimer's disease.
3. Every 67 seconds, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
4. Women are more at risk than men. At age 60, a woman's odds of developing Alzheimer's disease are 1 in 6. For breast cancer, the odds are 1 in 11.
5. Scientists don't yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer's disease, but it is clear that this disease develops because of a complex series of events that take place in the brain over a long period of time. This means that Alzheimer's disease is not brought on by trauma, but by everyday ordinary factors like genetics, the environment, and one's lifestyle.

Before you write off this month's prayers, thinking that you don't need to pray over your brain health, think again. The things that you are doing right now are greatly affecting your brain and the odds of whether or not you will get Alzheimer's disease someday.

What can you be doing now to prevent Alzheimer's disease?

1. Breathe. Sounds easy enough right? Do this exercise with me. Sit up straight in a chair and jut your chin straight forward as far as you can. (don't jut it up toward the ceiling, jut it straight out). You should feel a strain in the back of your neck as you do this. Now, close your mouth and try to breathe through your nose. Take at least 4 deep breathes. Now bring your chin back and down, so that your head is directly in line with the rest of your spine. If you are sitting against the wall, try to place your entire spine against the wall, and then place your head against the wall as well, with your chin down. Again take 4 deep breathes. Notice how much easier it is to breathe the second time around? Most of us spend long hours of the day with our chins jutted forward. This cuts off oxygen to the brain, which over a long period of time can lead to Alzheimer's. Notice the next time you are working at the computer, or driving your car. These are two areas where we severely jut our chins forward. Make an effort to keep your head back, or take some time each night to pull your chin back and take some deep breathes.
2. Tension. Where do you hold your tension? If you hold your tension in your upper back/shoulders/neck area, you have a greater risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. Why? When your neck and shoulders are tense, blood flow is restricted. Because your body is so tight around your neck, it's hard for the blood to travel through the shoulders and neck and to the brain. This ultimately cuts off oxygen to the brain. Over long periods of time, this can lead to Alzheimer's disease. Also, those who hold tension in their neck/shoulders/upper back are more likely to jut their chins out (see #1) during everyday tasks. When your neck is tight, your entire head will be shifted off balance because your muscles are off balance due to the unnatural tension. Regular stretching, or yoga, works wonders to loosen tight areas and relieve tension. If you carry stress and tension in your upper back, shoulders, or neck, doing regular stretching or yoga will help to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease. 
3. Essential Oils. Because there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, prevention is key. There are some essential oils that have been known to help reduce the risk of getting alzheimer's. These oils help to increase blood flow to the brain, and relieve any neck and shoulder tension (see #1 & #2). These oils can be applied daily, or as needed, directly to the neck, shoulders, and back. For more information on essential oils for Alzheimer's prevention, contact me here.

What will we be praying for with regards to Alzheimer's disease?

The weekly prayers for this topic will focus heavily on prevention against Alzheimer's disease, and clarity of mind and spirit throughout our entire lives. We will also touch on genetics, finding a cure, and wisdom with environmental and lifestyle choices. Follow along with us each week to get the updated prayer. Pray these prayers over your own health, your spouse, your children, your parents and grandparents.

To find the weekly prayers, head over to my website, where the weekly prayer is posted each week on the right side bar.

The prayers will all be posted on Instagram as well. Follow me @abbyshroka in order to see the new prayer each week.

The prayers will also be posted to our Facebook page. By liking us on Facebook, you will have access to each week's prayer. Click here to like is us on Facebook.

I want to thank all of you who made the commitment to partner along with us as we pray over our health each week for 52 weeks. I am already so inspired as I hear what God has done in the last four weeks to bring healing to so many suffering from stomach pain and digestive disorders! If you missed those prayers, you can find them here.

I cannot wait to see what God has in store for the next four weeks as we pray over our brain health and against Alzheimer's disease.

Wishing you all Health, Hope, & Happiness
Abby