World Alzheimers Month - Ping Pong Tournament To Spread Awareness

Remember those who can’t remember.

September 2015 will mark the fourth global World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise awareness and the theme for World Alzheimer's Month 2015 is Remember Me.  The decision to introduce the full month, to contain the existing World Alzheimer's Day September 21st was made to enable national and local Alzheimer associations worldwide to extend the reach of their awareness programs over a longer period of time.

An overall healthy aging may help keep your brain as well as your body fit. Regular physical exercise directly benefits brain cells by increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain.

I was happy to share my passion for Table tennis with several others who joined the Ping Pong tournament conducted to raise awareness in a fun and active environment, whilst highlighting the link between table tennis and brain health. The non-profit organization 4get-me-not Alzheimer’s and DUBAI FESTIVAL CITY MALL in collaboration with the German Neuroscience Center, hosted a two-day table tennis free play and tournament on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th September at Dubai Festival City Mall, in the Festival Square area. The tournament was co-organized by Affiliation of Dynamic table tennis athletes in the UAE (ADTTA).

It is a fact that worldwide, 47 million people are living with dementia and this number is set to jump to 76 million by 2030. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death and the only cause in the top 10 that can’t be prevented, cured or slowed.

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Memory loss that disrupts daily life, difficulty in completing familiar tasks at home, office etc., problems with words while speaking, misplacing things, changes in personality and withdrawal from work and social activities are few key symptoms to pay attention to.

Some of the common factors that may contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease are lack of exercise, Smoking, High blood pressure, High blood cholesterol, Poorly controlled diabetes, A diet lacking in fruit and vegetables and lack of social engagement

A healthy diet to the heart and the brain with whole grains, fruits and vegetables especially apples, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats is recommended. Try and do something new every day as your brain cells are stimulated when you think of or do anything new. A brisk walk is the park improves memory,

Early diagnosis and intervention methods are improving dramatically, and treatment options can improve quality of life. By learning the facts, you can help change the numbers. Each time you talk about Alzheimer's disease, you help raise awareness and inspire action.

While Alzheimer’s currently has no cure, early diagnosis means early treatment. That increases a person’s chances of maintaining independence for as long as possible and planning including lifestyle changes and making legal and financial arrangements

It is said that “An ounce of prevention is a worth a pound of cure”. So please do participate in any sports to keep your mind and body active and help to spread Alzheimer’s awareness this September.

Article by NITYASHRI SANKARAN, Pupil in grade 7 at the Delhi private school, Sharjah