DEAR DR. ROACH: My grandmother had very advanced Alzheimer’s disease by the time she died. My mother, who is now 60, is showing frequent signs of memory loss, but she doesn’t want to admit that she has Alzheimer’s. What should I do? I’ve understood for a long time that she’s going to suffer the same fate as her mother, but if there’s any action I can take now, I want to know. — D.T.

ANSWER: It is up to your mother whether she wants to move forward and try to get a diagnosis. However, I would recommend that she do, as there are several benefits.

First, what she has might not be Alzheimer’s: It may be something very treatable. Not everybody with a family history of Alzheimer’s gets the disease. This may be causing you undue stress. Another reason to seek a diagnosis is that the treatments we have for Alzheimer’s, though limited, are best when begun early. It also might be possible to enter into a trial for new treatments. Finally, she can make plans for the future, including financial and end-of-life care. All adults should do that anyway, but now is really the time for her to make sure.

DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 65-year-old woman who contracted hepatitis C 40 years ago from a life-saving blood transfusion. I was fortunate to receive effective treatment for hepatitis C, and have been cured. I have no liver damage and am in good health. I would like to be able to donate blood and become an organ donor. Has there been any research done to see if this is possible? — S.C.

ANSWER: You cannot donate blood with any history of hepatitis B or C, even if it is thought that you have been cured for many years. The blood banks are extra vigilant to maintain the safety of the blood supply, and are very reluctant to change policies, even if they seem to be outdated.

However, the many people still living with hepatitis C often need organs, especially the liver and kidneys, and people with a history of hepatitis C (active or cured) certainly may donate organs, which are donated to people who have hepatitis C.

We need more organ donors. Over 120,000 people in the U.S. alone are waiting for organs. It’s easy to sign up at www.organdonor.gov in the United States, or www.cantransplant.ca in Canada.

The booklet on hepatitis explains the three different kinds. Readers can obtain a copy by writing:

Dr. Roach

Book No. 503

628 Virginia Dr.

Orlando, FL 32803

Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. ROACH: Does the dental amalgam that is used for fillings cause ALS? — Anon.

ANSWER: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive degenerative disease of the nervous system. The cause of ALS is not known. Most experts believe that there is a genetic predisposition to ALS (an interesting gene, NEK-1, has just been identified), and that certain environmental exposures can lead to the disease. Although heavy metals — like lead, arsenic and mercury (found in dental amalgam) — are toxic to the nervous system in large doses, there is no reliable evidence connecting them to ALS.

Veterans of the Gulf War have higher-than-expected rates of ALS, and one theory is that bacteria found in desert sand, disturbed by military vehicles, might trigger ALS. We still have a great deal more to learn about both the cause of and treatment for ALS.

The ALS Association, www.alsa.org, does research, advocates for people with the disease and has much good information on its website.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to [email protected] or request an order form of available health newsletters at 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

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