Why is Alzheimer's considered to be a rare disease in India?

Certain cultures are more 'accepting' of older adults and their diminished capacities (if they have Alzheimer's) and may not see it as abnormal.... thus they would not seek medical help, nor be diagnosed.

So, in some cultures, there may be just as much Alzheimer's, it is just under-reported.

Also, (I don't know if this is true for India) but there might be a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease in cultures where fish consumption is high. DHA contained in fish may be a neuro-protective agent.

If it is rare in India, then this is a GREAT question.

I know this isn't an answer but I am interested in seeing other answers if it is rare in India.

Thank You for asking the question.

Did you know that Floride is linked to Alzheimers? Did you also know that the government forities your tap water with floride and there are also some companies that fortify their bottled water with floride?

Alzheimer's might be considered a rare disease in India because they have a low incidence of this disease. There are so many differences in cultures, it's hard to say why but it might be the fact that they have less modified foods, full of preservatives, pesticides and all that junk. Also older people die at a younger age their, so they don't get the chance to get the disease.

My mind is cloudy on this issue!!

I wander who told you this. Just because it's not as popular as other diseases such as diabetes, cancer, TB.,etc., but it's definately there. The symptoms are not so obvious and it takes time to realize whether one is actually really suffering from it or not, so many people wouldn't just consult a doctor for this. It can also be a temporary phrase in life. Today, everybody is so stressed and the diets and lifestyles are so unhealthy and pollutions adding to these problems, more and more diseases are discovered. And this does not limit to any country! Check out the web for more details.

Hi there,

I work in the field of health-care. And would like to let you know that it is not rare in India. It is as prevalent here as it is in any other country of the world. Just because it is reported less in India it is considered that the incidence of this disease is less.

The only issue in India is that people do not take such patients to doctors. Due to lack of awareness most people are not able to identify the early symptoms. Even when the symptoms are full-blown, most family members just consider it as something which happens with everyone with old age. This is of course not true.

Others start considering it as an embarrassment and start confining such elderly people to their homes, keeping them away from the public eye because they just assume that their parents have gone mad.

Some people, specially in the rural areas, would rather go to a Tantrik rather than a doctor.

On top of it all since there is no cure at present, some people just think why bother. What most people forget is that if it cannot be cured it can at least be managed. The awareness about management of any disease not just Alzheimers is very much missing in India.

Please do your bit in raising awarenss about this disease.

Thanks!

One theory is that Indians use a lot of turmeric, which is supposed to have some preventive properties

is it?

This might be due to their food habits and life style. The people here are exposed to so much of pollution and contaminated water, i think the system builds a strong immunity against some diseases.