Do you sometimes forget things? Where your keys are, someone's name, or what you were going to do... Small forgetfulness is normal for everyone. But for some people, this forgetfulness can affect them in a serious way. Today we are going to talk about a disease that seriously impairs memory and affects the brain. That is Alzheimer's Disease.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Simply put, Alzheimer's is one of the main types of dementia, which causes memory loss and cognitive decline. To be precise, it is a neurodegenerative disease. This means that over time, the cells in our brain become damaged and destroyed. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer's disease may lose important brain functions such as memory and the ability to speak.
Imagine, about 24 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. One in ten people over the age of 65 may have this disease. Also, about one in three people over the age of 85 are said to have Alzheimer's disease.
Although there are treatments to control these symptoms, there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. If you suspect that you or someone close to you has these symptoms, it is best to see a doctor immediately for advice.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's disease doesn't affect everyone the same way, but in general, it can cause your ability to:
- Memory
- Ability to think logically
- Speaking ability (language)
- Behavior and personality
- Understanding of the surrounding environment (space)
Often, someone with memory loss or other Alzheimer's symptoms may have difficulty recognizing changes in their own mind and body. These symptoms are sometimes more noticeable to your loved ones.
These symptoms gradually worsen over time (progressive decline). If you or someone you know has these dementia-like symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Memory loss
Memory loss is the main and most common symptom of Alzheimer's disease. This can make it difficult for you to remember things that happened recently (short-term memory) or things that happened a long time ago (long-term memory).
You may have difficulty remembering these things:
- Faces, names
- Some facts
- Where you are (even if it's a familiar place like home)
Memory problems caused by Alzheimer's are much more serious than the little things we usually forget where we put our phone or wonder if we locked the door.
Difficulty thinking logically
A person with Alzheimer's may often seem confused or take an unusually long time to make decisions. This can make it difficult for you to do the following:
- Decide what to do next.
- Cook according to a recipe
- Make plans.
Language-related issues
Alzheimer's disease can make it difficult for you to speak, read, or understand language (aphasia). You may:
- Talks and communicates less than before
- If someone speaks several languages, they will switch languages and speak in a confused manner.
- The language spoken most often in childhood will be switched back to
- Uses the wrong words
Changes in behavior and personality
You may notice changes in the mood or personality of someone with Alzheimer's disease. They may:
- You can be very suspicious (even of people you've known for years).
- Mood swings may occur frequently (may even be more aggressive than usual)
- You may experience frequent restlessness, paranoia, or hallucinations.
- You may lose confidence in yourself and your loved ones.
Everyone has bad days and difficult times. But the mood and personality changes caused by Alzheimer's are much more intense and sudden than a normal outburst of anger or rage.
Decreased awareness of the surrounding environment
You may find it difficult to appreciate how close things are to your body, or you may feel less in control of your body than before. This may include:
- Crashing into furniture
- It's hard to pick up something.
- Difficulty making fine hand movements like tying shoelaces or typing on a keyboard
Doctors classify Alzheimer's disease into several stages. These stages tell you how close you are to dementia, how severe your Alzheimer's disease is, or how quickly it has progressed.
What are the causes of Alzheimer's disease?
The main cause of Alzheimer's disease is the abnormal deposition of two types of proteins in the brain. Specifically, two types of proteins called amyloid and tau.
You know, our brains have billions of nerve cells, or neurons . These neurons are what help us think, learn, remember, and plan. That amyloid protein I mentioned sticks together inside brain cells and clumps together into plaques . Tau protein clumps together into tangles . These plaques and tangles prevent neurons from functioning properly. They interfere with the electrical and chemical signals that travel through them.
When amyloid and tau proteins build up in the brain, they gradually kill neurons. This is what causes permanent damage and the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The death of nerve cells starts in one part of the brain, and then gradually spreads to other parts. Alzheimer's often begins in the part of the brain that controls our memory - the hippocampus .
Experts are still researching Alzheimer's disease to figure out exactly what causes these protein deposits. Researchers believe that these protein deposits start long before symptoms start to appear. It may have started as early as 10 years before you notice any changes.
Is Alzheimer's disease hereditary?
Yes, Alzheimer's disease can be genetic.
If one of your parents or siblings has the disease, your risk of developing Alzheimer's is 10% to 30%. If two or more of your siblings have the disease, your risk of developing Alzheimer's is about three times higher than the average person.
People with the APOE e4 gene are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer's. Also, people with that gene are more likely to develop Alzheimer's at an earlier age (earlier age of onset). But not everyone with the APOE e4 gene will develop Alzheimer's. It is only one factor that increases the risk.
What are the risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease?
Researchers still don't know exactly why some people get Alzheimer's and others don't, but these things may be risk factors:
- Being of black or Latino descent
- Environmental factors (something about where you live, work, or frequent)
- Genetic changes
- Severe head injury (Traumatic brain injury)
- Smoking
- Your age (Alzheimer's disease usually affects people over 65)
- Your overall health status
Some health conditions can also increase the risk of Alzheimer's. For example:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Down syndrome caused by Trisomy 21
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obesity
What are the complications of Alzheimer's disease?
The biggest complication of Alzheimer's disease is the damage it causes to the brain. This can cause permanent changes to your thinking, your ability to use your body, and your personality. As the disease progresses, you may develop various complications. Some of them can be life-threatening.
Complications such as these can occur:
- Deterioration in overall physical health
- Infections (for example, pneumonia or skin infections)
- Seizures
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
You may lose control of your body, which can increase your risk of:
- Bedsores
- Dehydration or malnutrition
- Falls, fractures and other accidents
- Urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence
- Tooth decay, cavities, and other dental problems
How is Alzheimer's disease diagnosed?
Doctors use several methods to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. The first step is to talk about your current health and medical history.
Your doctor will talk to you and your family. They will ask you questions and learn about your health and daily activities. If you know you have risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, tell your doctor about it.
Your doctor will ask your family if they have noticed any symptoms or changes that you may not have noticed. They may ask about:
- Your ability to perform your normal tasks
- Changes in your mood, behavior, and personality
- Current medications
- Medical history
- Overall health status
The doctor will also give you a complete physical exam and neurological exam. They will also rule out other conditions that could be causing memory problems and other symptoms.
The doctor will also use several tests, such as:
- Blood tests
- Brain MRI (Brain MRI)
- Cognitive tests
- CT scan
- PET scan
- Psychiatric and mental health evaluations
- Urine tests
These tests help your doctor look for signs of amyloid proteins and see if they have damaged your brain.
Your doctor will work with you and your family to create a treatment plan that's right for you. They will help you set realistic goals for your short-term health and long-term condition.
What are the treatments for Alzheimer's disease?
Your doctor may suggest treatments to slow the progression of dementia. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but treatments can help control symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Starting treatment as early as possible is the best way to protect your brain health throughout your life. However, there is currently no treatment that can stop or reverse Alzheimer's disease.
There are several types of medications that can help control the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Your doctor will tailor a combination of these to suit your needs. You may need:
Cholinesterase inhibitors
These medications block an enzyme that speeds up the damage to the brain caused by Alzheimer's disease. They can improve some memory problems and reduce the risk of behavioral changes. Your doctor may prescribe medications like these:
- Donepezil
- Galantamine
- Rivastigmine
Clinical trials
Scientists are constantly researching Alzheimer’s disease and possible treatments. Ask your doctor if there are any clinical trials that might help you. Clinical trials are tests or research studies that involve people who volunteer to take part in a particular disease or condition. These trials may give you the opportunity to try new treatments that are not yet widely available.
If you are diagnosed early, you may have more opportunities to participate in clinical trials.
Lecanemab or Donanemab
Lecanemab and Donanemab are intravenous (IV) medications. They are two types of drugs called monoclonal antibodies . These drugs can help your body's immune system target and destroy amyloid proteins. They can help remove some of the amyloid before it can damage the brain, slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Lecanemab targets amyloid fibers before they clump together. Donanemab targets amyloid proteins that have already clumped together to form plaques.
Like all other treatments, these drugs do not completely cure Alzheimer's disease, nor can they reverse the damage already caused by amyloid.
NMDA receptor antagonists
If you have Alzheimer's, your body makes too much of a chemical called glutamate . This damages brain cells. NMDA antagonists work by blocking or filling the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the brain that bind to glutamate. This may slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Memantine is a commonly used NMDA antagonist. Your doctor may suggest other medications depending on your health condition and the stage of Alzheimer's disease.
Symptom-management medications
Your doctor will recommend medications or other treatments to help control your symptoms as they arise. You may need:
- Antidepressants: These medications can treat things like anxiety, restlessness, mood swings, and depression.
- Antipsychotics/neuroleptics: These medications can treat things like paranoia, hallucinations, and agitation.
- Antiseizure medications: These medications can sometimes also treat mood swings.
How is the lifespan?
Alzheimer's disease does not affect everyone the same. Most people over the age of 65 with Alzheimer's die within four to eight years of being diagnosed with the disease. But some people live for decades, especially if they are diagnosed before age 65.
Talk to your doctor about living with Alzheimer's disease (AD). They can help you set realistic goals and expectations. They can also help you decide when hospice care might be a good option for you and your family.
If you need support, talk to a mental health counselor . It's very common for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families to feel extra stress and anxiety, especially after a diagnosis. These feelings are real and valid. A mental health professional can help you understand your thoughts and feelings and help you cope with them.
Can Alzheimer's disease be prevented?
Some Alzheimer's risk factors, like your age and genetics, you can't change or control. But you can manage other factors and reduce your risk. Maintaining good overall health can help protect your brain from cognitive decline. You can try these things:
- Follow a healthy diet: Eating a nutritious, varied diet can help keep your brain and overall health in good shape. Your doctor may recommend a specific eating plan, such as the Mediterranean diet or the DASH diet .
- Get enough physical activity: Exercise and physical activity increase blood and oxygen flow to the brain. This can improve the health of your brain cells. You don't have to be a big athlete to stay active. Walking, gardening, cycling, or any hobby that gets your body moving are all great ways to stay active.
- Stay mentally active: Play board games, read books, do crossword puzzles, play a musical instrument, or engage in other hobbies that challenge your brain to learn new things and use them.
- Stay social: Talk to your loved ones or people in your community regularly. Joining group activities like religious services, exercise classes, book clubs, or community volunteer work can help keep your brain active.
If someone in your family has Alzheimer's and you're concerned about it, talk to your doctor about genetic testing. They can check for genes or genetic changes that may increase your risk of Alzheimer's.
When should you see a doctor?
If you or someone you love is having problems with memory or thinking, see a doctor. They can determine if the problems are due to Alzheimer's or another condition.
Once you are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), you will need to see your doctor for regular check-ups. Your doctor will monitor the progress of the disease and adjust your treatment as needed.
You can also ask your doctor some questions like:
- What symptoms or changes should my family and I look out for?
- Is there a way to predict how quickly Alzheimer's disease will progress?
- What treatment is best for me?
- Am I eligible for a clinical trial?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a truly terrifying condition. Sometimes it can feel like time stands still, or it can feel like it's going by so fast. There is no wrong way to live with a condition like Alzheimer's disease.
Finally, the most important thing
Alzheimer's disease is a serious condition. But remember, you are not alone. Whether you have Alzheimer's or are caring for someone with Alzheimer's, your doctors are always there to help you. They can help you make recommendations for treatments and clinical trials, answer your questions, connect you with resources, and help you understand what to expect. It's important to recognize symptoms early and seek medical attention. Also, the support of family and friends is invaluable on this journey. Don't forget to take care of your mental health, too.
Alzheimer 's, Alzheimer's, Dementia, Memory Loss, Brain Health, Aging, Neurological Disease
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