It is the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States. 16.1 MILLION AMERICANS provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias, estimating 18.4 BILLION hours of care valued at over $232 BILLION. Between 2000 and 2015 deaths from heart disease have decreased 11%, while deaths from Alzheimer's disease have increased 123%. 1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer COMBINED. In 2018, Alzheimer's and other Dementias will cost the nation $277 BILLION. By 2050, these costs could rise as high as $1.1 TRILLION. There are 5.7 MILLION Americans living with Alzheimer's now, and  this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 MILLION by 2050. Read these startling numbers in the article, "Facts_and_Figures".

Alzheimer's is preventable. Read the articles, What Is Dementia? "Alzheimer's Prevention" and "Alzheimer's-Vitamin D3"

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement, often including tremors. Nerve cell damage in the brain causes dopamine levels to drop, leading to the symptoms of Parkinson's. Parkinson's often starts with tremor in hand, slow movement, stiffness, and loss of balance. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's Disease, but treatments are available to help relieve the symptoms and maintain quality of life.

The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown. Recently, there has been a surge in awareness of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome (GM) and its role in health and disease. Of particular interest is an association between the GM and Parkinson's disease (PD) and the realization that the GM can act via a complex bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) has made investments in the microbiome study. The microbiome is a universe of bacteria inside us, most living in our gastrointestinal tracts. It includes more than a thousand species of bacteria, which have around 3 million genes. Though some of the bacteria are harmful, others provide us with vital nutrients such as vitamins A, D and K and short-chain fatty acids and some actually release neurotransmitters. Due to its size, complexity and influence on health, the microbiome is sometimes referred to as a separate organ.

"We have discovered for the first time a biological link between the gut microbiome microorganisms found in association with both healthy and diseased humans, and Parkinson's disease. More generally, this research reveals that a neurodegenerative disease may have its origins in the gut, and not only in the brain as had been previously thought."

--- Sarkis Mazmanian, lead researcher the Californian Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within your spine, which can put pressure on the nerves that travel through the spine. Spinal stenosis occurs most often in the lower back and the neck.Some people with spinal stenosis may not have symptoms. Others may experience pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness. Symptoms can worsen over time. Spinal stenosis is most commonly caused by wear-and-tear changes in the spine related to osteoarthritis. In severe cases of spinal stenosis, doctors may recommend surgery to create additional space for the spinal cord or nerves.

The types of spinal stenosis are classified according to where on the spine the condition occurs. It's possible to have more than one type. The two main types of spinal stenosis are:

1. Cervical stenosis. In this condition, the narrowing occurs in the part of the spine in your neck.
2. Lumbar stenosis. In this condition, the narrowing occurs in the part of the spine in your lower back. It's the most common form of spinal stenosis.

Please read the following articles:
Walking after Spinal Cord problems; Managing Walking Complications with Spinal Stenosis; Spinal-Stenosis-Fact-Sheet