Many people think of Alzheimer's disease as a disease that affects only memory and causes people to forget things gradually. But the truth is that it is much deeper than that. The symptoms of this disease can be both mental and physical. This means that the disease can have a big impact on the way you walk, talk, and other body processes. It is very important to be aware of what can happen as the disease progresses. This will give you and your loved ones a lot of strength to face these challenges.
What is this connection between the brain and the body?
The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unknown. But doctors believe that the symptoms are caused by the accumulation of two types of harmful proteins in the brain cells. These are called amyloid and tau . Simply put, imagine that there are pathways in our brain that carry messages between nerve cells. These two types of proteins accumulate in those pathways and form large clumps. We also call these clumps plaques and tangles . These clumps completely disrupt the normal functioning of the brain, and even healthy cells die.
This damage usually starts in the part of our brain that stores memories. That's why people with early-stage Alzheimer's have trouble remembering things. As the disease progresses, these protein clumps spread to the parts of the brain that control physical activity.
That's why even the normal things we do every day, like walking, eating, going to the bathroom, and talking, gradually become impossible to do.
The disease affects each person differently. The disease can progress very slowly. Some people live for up to 20 years after diagnosis, but the average life expectancy is between 4 and 8 years.
Physical changes to expect
What symptoms you have and when they appear will vary from person to person. Surprisingly, some people start to experience physical problems before they experience severe memory loss.
One study found that people who walk slowly and have poor balance are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease within the next 6 years.
The table below lists some of the physical changes you may experience with the disease.
| Physical change | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Loss of balance or coordination | I feel dizzy when I walk and I'm constantly falling. |
| Stiff muscles | Things like bending and stretching your arms and legs become difficult, and your body's flexibility decreases. |
| Dragging feet on the ground | When I walk, I feel like my feet are dragging along the ground instead of lifting properly. |
| Difficulty getting up or sitting down from a chair | Because you can't control your body, you can't do these things without someone's help. |
| Muscle weakness and excessive fatigue | I feel so helpless that I can't do anything. |
| Change in sleep pattern | Problems arise such as feeling sleepy throughout the day, but not being able to sleep at night. |
| Inability to control urine or stool | The body cannot control these because the messages from the brain are weak. |
| Seizures and uncontrolled shaking | These conditions can occur due to disruption of the brain's electrical activity. |
The challenges of caring for a patient
Over time, many people with Alzheimer's disease lose the ability to do things on their own. They may need help with simple things like brushing their teeth, combing their hair, bathing, and changing clothes.
It also becomes increasingly difficult to communicate meaningfully. Therefore, the caregiver is advised to keep the conversation as simple as possible. It is also best to ask questions that can be answered with short answers, such as "yes" or "no." In the later stages of the disease, the ability to speak may be completely lost.
Another major challenge is difficulty chewing and swallowing food. This is a bit dangerous, as there is a high risk of food getting stuck in the throat or accidentally going into the lungs. Therefore, when giving food, it must be crushed well, cut into small pieces or blended (puréed). If the food is not given properly, conditions such as malnutrition or dehydration can occur. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a diet in a way that allows you to eat safely and nutritiously. Sometimes your doctor will also advise you to give liquid vitamin and protein supplements.
In some cases, you may need to be referred to a residential care facility to receive the care you need. It is important to discuss this with your family and doctor to make the best decision.
How does the body gradually stop functioning?
When the body is weakened like this, the risk of developing other health problems increases.
- Weakened immune system: When the body's ability to resist disease decreases, various infections can easily develop.
- Pneumonia: Especially if something like food or drink accidentally enters the airway, it can cause serious infections like pneumonia.
- Accidents due to falls: Due to lack of balance, there is a risk of frequent falls. This can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones.
Many people with Alzheimer's die from complications such as pneumonia, another infection, or heart attack.
So the best thing you can do is to talk openly with your family about how you will receive the care you need, early in your illness. These can be difficult topics to talk about, but having a plan in advance will make it much easier for you and your family to make decisions in the future.
Take-Home Message
- Alzheimer's is not just a disease that causes memory loss. It affects your entire body.
- Physical symptoms, such as loss of balance and slow walking, may sometimes appear before memory loss.
- Difficulty swallowing food is a serious risk, so when feeding, make sure to crush it well and give it safely.
- Infections such as pneumonia and accidents due to falls are common complications of this disease.
- Always talk to your doctor about any changes in your patient's condition and care plans.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න