A new study published in the September 4, 2007 issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, indicates that people who currently smoke are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or dementia than those who smoked in the past or are non smokers.
Study author Monique Breteler, MD, PhD (Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands) states that “Smoking increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease, which is also tied to dementia…Another mechanism could be through oxidative stress, which can damage cells in the blood vessels and lead to hardening of the arteries. Smokers experience greater oxidative stress …read more

A University of California study has determined that exposure to secondhand smoke can increase the risk of developing dementia. According to Thaddus Haight, study author, ‘…elderly people with high lifetime exposure to secondhand smoke were approximately 30% more likely to develop dementia than those with no lifetime secondhand smoke exposure…’ (Secondhand Smoke Increases Risk of Dementia)
The findings of this study were being presented this week at the 59th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology held in Boston.

Since my mother and aunt didn’t smoke, we didn’t have this situation to worry about…whether smoking had affected their memories or was a fire danger in their homes.  If they had, I know we would have been concerned about their inability to be safe while smoking…and whether they would have started a fire with the cigarette or when lighting it.
I do know that with cooking, we became very concerned that Mother would start a fire, either by placing something flammable on the burner or by leaving a pot or frying pan on it with the heat going.  She did scorch …read more