What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain condition that causes progressive decline in a number of areas.
Starting from memory, cognitive or thinking ability, speaking ability, and behavior.
This disease can target young adults. However, most cases occur in those over 60 years old (elderly).
In the early stages, sufferers will experience mild memory disorders. For example, having difficulty remembering the names of objects, conversations with anyone, and events that have recently occurred.
This disease can worsen over time, making sufferers unable to perform daily activities. In severe cases, Alzheimer’s disease can even make sufferers confused.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Symptoms of this condition appear along with the development of the disease and the lifestyle of the sufferer.
In general, the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s are a decrease in memory or dementia and the sufferer’s brain function.
However, dementia is only the initial symptom. As the disease progresses, other symptoms will emerge.
What Do People with Alzheimer’s Feel?
The following is an explanation of some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s that sufferers can also feel:
1. Symptoms of Memory Loss
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Repeating statements and questions.
- Forgetting the chat, the appointment.
- Forgot to put something down.
- Get lost in a familiar place.
- Forgot family member’s name.
- Forgetting the names of frequently used objects.
- Difficulty expressing thoughts.
2. Symptoms of Loss of Reason in Thinking
- Difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially when calculating.
- It’s hard to do two jobs at once.
- Difficulty managing finances.
Eventually, sufferers are unable to recognize and count.
3. Making wrong judgments and decisions
Sufferers experience a decline in the ability to make sound decisions and judgments. Wearing clothes that are not appropriate to the theme of the event, for example.
4. Planning to Do Daily Tasks
Sufferers need a plan to carry out their daily routines in sequence.
As the disease progresses, sufferers often forget how to do simple activities such as dressing and bathing.
5. Symptoms of Personality and Behavior Changes
- Depression
- Apathetic.
- Don’t want to socialize.
- Mood swings.
- Don’t trust other people.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Delusion.
Alzheimer’s Risk Factors
Some of the triggers for Alzheimer’s include:
- Age. The risk of Alzheimer’s increases with age due to unhealthy lifestyles.
- Family history and genetics. Having a genetic mutation in your family increases the risk of Alzheimer’s in about 1 percent of people.
- Down syndrome. Alzheimer’s is related to the three copies of chromosome 21 that people with Down syndrome have.
- Gender. Women are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s than men.
- Cognitive disorders. People with cognitive disorders will experience memory problems that are at risk of developing dementia due to Alzheimer’s.
- Head trauma. Head injuries from sports, accidents, and surgical procedures are a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s later in life.
- Air pollution. Air pollution particles accelerate the degeneration of the nervous system which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s.
- Excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol triggers changes in the brain that are associated with an increased risk of dementia early on.
- Poor sleep patterns. Difficulty sleeping and not having good quality sleep are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
- Lifestyle and heart health. Lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, cholesterol, hypertension, and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes trigger Alzheimer’s later in life.
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease occurs when brain proteins fail to function normally, disrupting the performance of brain cells (neurons).
When neurons are damaged, brain cells lose their connections to each other and eventually die.
There are two brain proteins that are the main causes of Alzheimer’s, namely:
- Beta-amyloid. The deposition of this protein causes toxic effects that can disrupt communication between brain cells.
- Neurofibril. This is a protein that plays a role in carrying nutrients into brain cells. If it is not on track, it can interfere with the process of nutrient delivery which triggers toxic effects on brain cells.
Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis
Here are some examination steps that a doctor can take:
1. Physical and Neurological Examination
The examination aims to review overall neurological health by testing the following:
- Reflex.
- Muscle strength.
- Ability to get up from a chair and walk.
- The senses of sight and hearing.
- Coordination of body movements.
- Laboratory tests.
2. Neuropsychological Test
This examination aims to determine the sufferer’s memory and thinking skills.
This neurological test is a starting point for tracking the development of Alzheimer’s symptoms that may appear later.
3. Brain Imaging
Whole-brain images show abnormalities associated with Alzheimer’s such as trauma or tumors that cause cognitive changes. Brain structure imaging includes:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This procedure uses radio waves and magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the brain.
- Computerized tomography (CT). This procedure involves special X-rays to produce cross-sectional images (slices) of the brain.
- Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET scan. The procedure can identify patterns of brain degeneration in sufferers.
- Amyloid PET imaging. The procedure aims to measure the amount of amyloid deposits in the brain.
Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
Here are some common treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease :
1. Medicines
- Cholinesterase inhibitors. These drugs work by improving communication between cells in the brain.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors. Drugs can improve neuropsychiatric symptoms of agitation and depression.
- Memantine (Namenda). The drug works by slowing the progression of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s symptoms.
- Antidepressants. These drugs can help control behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s. However, it is important for people with this condition to be careful in consuming them. This is because experts believe that these drugs can affect blood pressure. Is that true?
2. Changes in Daily Habits
- Keep valuables in the same place so you don’t have trouble finding them.
- Store the medication in a safe place. Use a daily schedule to determine the correct dosage of medication.
- Use notes to find out what activities you have done today.
- Carry identification when traveling.
Complications of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s symptoms such as memory loss, decreased speech ability, and other brain changes hinder the treatment that sufferers undergo.
This condition is prone to causing other health problems in Alzheimer’s sufferers, such as:
- Unable to tell others if experiencing pain or side effects of medication.
- Cannot explain symptoms of other diseases.
As Alzheimer’s disease enters its final stages, brain changes begin to affect physical function. These changes can cause:
- Decreased ability to swallow which can lead to dehydration and malnutrition. Difficulty swallowing also increases the risk of choking which can lead to respiratory distress and aspiration pneumonia.
- Decreased body coordination makes Alzheimer’s sufferers prone to falls and are at risk of fractures.
- The emergence of bedsores or decubitus ulcers due to lying in bed for too long.
Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention
While there are some Alzheimer’s risk factors that a person cannot change, such as age and genetics, you may be able to manage other factors to help reduce your risk.
Research shows that having a healthy lifestyle helps protect the brain from cognitive decline.
The following strategies can help reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease:
- Stay mentally active. Try playing games like chess, reading, doing crossword puzzles, playing a musical instrument, or doing other hobbies that require brain power.
- Be physically active. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which can affect brain cell health. Wear protective headgear if you participate in activities that increase your risk of head injury.
- Stay socially active. Regularly talking to friends and family and joining in group activities can help keep your memory sharp.
- Consume healthy foods high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are useful in increasing brain cell capacity and maintaining long-term memory. In addition to food, you can also consume health supplements so that antioxidant intake is met, to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Avoid certain intakes. Make sure to limit or not consume alcoholic beverages. Because alcohol is closely related to the decline in cognitive function of the brain.
When to See a Doctor?
It is recommended that you immediately check your condition if you or someone close to you experiences symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Early treatment can certainly help slow the development and severity of this disease.