Smokers and Alzheimers

There are so many reasons to quit smoking. We don't need another one. But I just received this Health Alert by email:

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts:
Memory
Another Reason NOT to Smoke

We have been warned for many decades not to smoke. Now the World Health Organization says that tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the world, surpassing heart disease for the first time. Five million people die of causes linked to tobacco use annually.

Medical research is providing additional warnings to smokers. A study in the publication Neurology reported that older adults who smoke face an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, worse mental health was also more likely in persons who smoke than in non-smokers.

Most people know that smoking cigarettes can cause lung cancer. However, smoking is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease -- especially if you have the ApoE4 (apolipoprotein E4) gene. According to recent research presented at the International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease in Chicago, heavy smokers (and heavy drinkers) develop Alzheimer's disease years earlier than people with Alzheimer's who do not drink or smoke heavily.

On top of this bad news comes some more: Smoking in midlife might increase the chance of Alzheimer's in later life among those who already carry this increased genetic risk. Read on ... http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/alerts/memory/
And if you need help stopping the tobacco habit, you can take advantage of this geat opportunity to quit smoking and make a donation to the American Heart Association at the same time!

Great American Smoke Out

On Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at 7 PM, Debbie Lane will hold a 2 hour session for those who want to quit smoking at the Elks Lodge, 237 S. Pinellas Ave, Tarpon Springs. The cost is only $49.00 and 100% will be donated to the American Heart Association.

To register, contact Debbie Lane at www.wisdomhypnosis.com.
If you know anyone who still smokes, please pass along this information.

Elks Lodge
237 S. Pinellas Ave.
Tarpon springs, FL
Nov. 17 at 7 PM!