Degenerative Disease

Although Japan has the longest life expectancy of any country in the world the prevalence of vascular dementia appears to be higher in Japanese American men than their counterpart Caucasians (Health and Health Care of Japanese-American Elders, Tanabe). Individuals at high risk for this disease would include those who are overweight and/or obesity, smokers, and those who are physically inactive (Gelber, Petrovitch, Masaki, Abbott, Webster Ross, Launer, White, 2011). Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and healthy behaviors at a young age has shown to be of great importance in prevention of this degenerative disease. The Japanese religion of Shintoism emphasizes purity and cleanliness (Gelber et al., 2011). Thus making health promotion, diet and
exercise an approachable topic of discussion for this culture (Gelber et al., 2011).

A second possible disparity Japanese-Americans face is their unwillingness to report changes in mental status (Health and Health Care of Japanese-American Elders, Tanabe).
The majority of Japanese-American’s tend to have a stigma associated with mental illness and therefore many do not seek direct medical assistance. A diagnosis of mental health disease could bring shame or “hazukashii” to ones family (Gelber et al., 2011). “If there is access to health care services, then they are most likely to be utilized for medical problems, but there would be more reluctance with respect to mental illnesses (Gelber et al., 2011). According to a recent case-control study, additional causes of vascular dementia can include Parkinson’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, subdural hematoma, vitamin B12 deficiencies, and trauma (Gelber et al.,
2011). Preventative measures associated with lowering the risk of vascular dementia in Japanese American men include maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
This includes, moderate alcohol consumption, maintaining a diet higher in fish, fruit, vegetables, cereal, legumes, and ratio of monounsaturated fats to saturated fat, while lower in meat and dairy products (Gelber et al., 2011). Increasing the number of elements to ones health profile in turn reduces the risk of dementia. Surprisingly, moderate alcohol intake during midlife has been linked to improved cognitive performance later in life; opposed to non-drinkers and heavy drinkers whom are at an increased risk of impairment (Gelber et al., 2011). Treatments for this degenerative disease have shown only marginal improvements. Therefore it is imperative that Japanese American men take all preventative measures possible. Traditional Japanese American remedies are often used to supplement medical treatment (Health and Health Care of Japanese-American Elders, Tanabe). Kampo, which aims to restore an individual’s energy flow; herbs, acupuncture, moxibustion, and shiatsu are not uncommon in the Japanese American culture (Health and Health Care of Japanese-American Elders,
Tanabe).