Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative neurological condition in which brain cells die, impairing memory and other cognitive abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent form of dementia in the elderly, with symptoms appearing around the age of 60.
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Fundamentals
- Alzheimer’s disease manifests itself as progressively worsening cognitive symptoms.
- Alzheimer’s disease affects not only a person’s memory, but also their language, thinking, and reasoning skills, as well as their ability to communicate with others.
- It begins with forgetting about events and discussions, but eventually progresses to significant cognitive deterioration due to aberrant changes in the affected person’s brain.
- Researchers named the disease after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a scientist who examined the brain of a deceased woman who died of an unexplained mental ailment.
- He noticed that the woman’s condition had a significant impact on her memory and vocabulary, as well as causing her to act in unanticipated ways.
- The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
- This brain illness is not a typical aspect of aging, but rather a genuine ailment that necessitates immediate medical intervention.
- However, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are not the same things.
- Alzheimer’s disease affects 60-80% of dementia patients, but dementia is a broader term that refers to cognitive deterioration severe enough to impede daily life.
- The most significant risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease is getting older.
- Most people who suffer from this disorder are in their sixties.
- Patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease before the age of 65 are more likely to be classified as having early-onset Alzheimer’s.
- Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic illness that is likely the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
- However, according to some recent estimates, it may be the third leading cause of mortality, following heart disease and cancer.
- A person with Alzheimer’s disease can live up to 8 years after being diagnosed on average, but if other circumstances are taken into account, they can live up to 20 years.
- Although medications can help to reduce or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, there is no cure for the condition.
- Treatments can aid patients by advancing their disease stage or by enhancing their productivity.
- A person may experience significant impairments, such as infections, malnutrition, and dehydration, in the last stages of the condition, which can lead to death.
Alzheimer's Disease: How Common Is It?
- Alzheimer’s disease affects over 5.8 million Americans aged 65 and up, as per researches conducted in 2020.
- Eighty percent of individuals surveyed are 75 years old or older.
- Beyond the age of 65, the number of persons living with the condition doubles every five years.
- By 2060, this figure is expected to nearly triple to 14 million individuals.
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that starts mild but quickly becomes severe. Memory loss is the most common sign of Alzheimer’s disease, and the inability to complete daily tasks can help diagnose the disease. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may forget things and be unable to order their ideas in the early stages, but the abnormal changes in the brain have catastrophic consequences in the later stages.
There are a few key signs listed below that can aid in the early detection of the illness.
Memory Lapses
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble remembering new information, and as the condition progresses, it may become difficult to function on a regular basis.
- Getting lost in places where they’ve been before.
- Using the same statements and queries over and over.
- Forgetting events, appointments, and other critical responsibilities.
- Forgetting the names of acquaintances or family members.
- Losing things and having trouble processing thoughts.
Analytical Reasoning
Alzheimer’s disease impairs a person’s ability to think, focus, and make decisions. Multitasking is exceedingly tough for them since their brain does not allow it.
- Counting numbers and paying bills is difficult.
- Completing complex activities is proving troublesome.
- Incapable of making sound decisions.
Unable to Recognize
Alzheimer’s disease causes a person’s ability to recognize familiar persons and objects to deteriorate. Basic tools are hard for them to use.
Changes in Personality or Conduct
A person suffering from this neurological condition experiences personality and behavioral changes, such as:
- Having increased mood swings, depression, anger, and emotional outbursts.
- Loss of apathy.
- Facing mood swings and irritation.
- Isolating socially and experiencing apathy towards people.
- Having auditory or visual hallucinations.
Spatial Issues
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may struggle to keep balance, spilling things and tripping over as a result of their inability to retain equilibrium.
Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
The existence of plaques and tangles inside the brain causes Alzheimer’s disease, while the breakdown of synaptic connections between neurons causes cognitive decline. There are several stages, ranging from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the condition.
The next part follows will go over the stages of Alzheimer’s disease and some of the
symptoms that accompany it.
Mild Stage Alzheimer's
Individuals with mild Alzheimer’s disease typically have memory loss and cognitive
impairments, making it difficult to carry out tasks such as recalling items, dealing with behavioral changes, and wandering aimlessly.
Moderate Stage Alzheimer's
The areas of the brain responsible for reasoning, focus, and sensations are impaired in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Delusions, difficulty recognizing relatives and friends, confusion, and difficulty dealing with unfamiliar situations are all potential manifestations.
Severe Stage Alzheimer's
Patients with advanced Alzheimer’s disease lose their ability to converse with others and become reliant on others owing to the existence of plaques and tangles in their brains, the brain shrinks, and brain cells die as a result of this.
Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
Scientists haven’t yet discovered a single cause for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are multiple factors that increase a person’s risk of developing this neurological ailment.
- The most significant risk factor for this condition is advanced age.
- As a person becomes older, the chances of having cognitive impairment increase.
- Genes may possibly play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, though the scientific basis for this is unknown.
- Genetic factors are likely to be complex.
Healthy practices, which have been found to prevent cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, may also minimize the risk of subjective cognitive decline, according to emerging scientific data.
Management of Alzheimer's
- There are currently no drugs or treatments available that are specifically developed to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
- Some behavioral therapy can benefit Alzheimer’s patients with restlessness, anxiety, despair, and sleep issues.
- People can cope with the changes by identifying what sparked these actions and avoiding or modifying those things.
- Changing locations, new caregivers, or being asked to bathe or change clothes are all potential triggers.
- Predictable, familiar and easily navigable environments will likely help people feel more secure and at ease.
- Engaging in social events, learning, dancing, solving puzzles, creating artworks, playing instruments, and other activities that demand mental and social involvement have been linked to maintained reasoning abilities and a lower chance of Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
If you’ve been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or are caring for someone who has the disease, keep in mind that help and support are available to help you live your best life.
