Breaking the myths

What ultimatly got me interested in researching and finding out more information about Alzheimer's disease is my own family experience. With a grandmother now reaching the very late stages of the disease at age 97 I have been curious as to what was expected and normal for people suffering from it. When I first asked someone if they knew what caused the disease I got a very interesting answer; aluminum. Supposedly this person had read somewhere that drinking out of aluminum or cooking with aluminum could be a factor in the unfortunate development of alzheimer's. This specific myth began in the 1960's and 1970's when a single suspicion led to the increased concern about everyday exposure to aluminum.
Other myths have also developed as alzheimer's becomes more prominent. Such as many people believe that memory loss is a normal part of aging. With a new understanding of how the disease affects the brain it is easier to comprehend what kind of changes occur with the disease. Alzheimer's causes brain cells to misfunction and die causing permanent memory loss and damage. Normal memory loss involves short term memory such as forgetting the name of someone just met versus forgetting the name of your children or long term friends or family members.
Other myths:
Alzheimer's is not fatal.
Alzheimer's only occurs in older people. This is not true as proven with early-onset Alzheimer's it can happen as young as 30.
Flu shots increase risk of disease.
Silver Dental fillings increase the risk.
There are treatments available to stop the progression of Alzheimer's.