My grandfather died in his mid-70's of what was then called "hardening of the arteries." I remember him wanting to lock the barn and all the outbuildings (nobody locked barns). Only at the funeral did the stories come out about what Grandma had been dealing with: delusions, verbal abuse, bathroom issues. They had 9 children; only the eldest and the youngest were girls. The youngest girl is still alive; one of the boys died young of a heart attack. Of the other seven, at least four and probably five had severe dementia by the time they died, in their 70’s. My father was the middle child. Seeing all his brothers and his older sister in nursing homes, not knowing me, I was always afraid it was only a matter of time until he got AD. But I didn’t dare discuss this with him or my mother. Then in his early 70s Dad had a hip replacement and did not do well coming out of the anaesthetic; he was very confused and disoriented. I was distraught, and so far away. Finally after several days Mom said on the phone that he was much better and no longer confused. My relief must have been evident; anyway I finally confessed that I had been afraid he would get AD, like all his family.
Mom: Oh, he’ll never get that. Me: What, why not? Mom: For the same reason his brother Olen won’t ever get it. Me: ?? Mom: Oh, you know, they both took all those pain-killers like aspirin and ibu-profen when they were younger because of their knee pain (Dad) and back pain (Uncle). And she told me about a study that had indicated that use of these drugs acted as a preventive of AD. Well, she was right. My father lived till 86 and died of a heart attack and Uncle Olen of heart failure, also in his 80’s. Neither had dementia.
Well, I know that later studies have not collaborated this. And, yes, I know that only the early onset AD is supposed to be hereditary. But still I don’t feel bad about the ibu profen I take for my bad knees!
Interesting...................Jim always hated to take medication. For him to take an asprin for a headache was a big deal. He would ever ride out terrible fevers/flu withoug any meds. Hmmmmm, I take an aspirin a night, I gonna make it two!
My husband always took at least one aspirin a day for his heart for years. He always took a full strength aspirin not the lower dose ones. He has FTD now so who knows........
Doesn't work for everyone. My DH has been on aspirin, sometimes taking as many as 8 a day and later on prescription drugs for arthritis since his early 30's. He was diagnosed with AD at 73. My Dad didn't take medicine of any kind until the last couple of years of his life. He died at 99 with a sharp, clear mind. Oh how I wish they could find something that simple that would work.
Be careful with ibuprofen as it will cause kidney damage if you OD. There was Seattle Seahawk player a few years ago that lost both kidneys because the trainer/doctor had him on high dosages of ibuprofen. As we have found with the tylenol notices any of these can cause damage if abused. I always try to take a break now and then.
Susan L - My cousin was taking an aspirin at night. She was taking it on an empty stomach and as she slept all night, it created bleeding in her stomach. It took a while for the doc to realize what caused the bleeding, she never thought to tell him about the aspirin, it seemed so benign. She's OK now, but takes the baby aspirin in the morning--as I do also.