Is an elderly person in your home, perhaps your beloved mother, father, grandmother or aunt, starting to forget things? Do they suddenly lose their memory of what they were talking about? Do they forget even simple things like where their keys were or whether they have eaten? Often we dismiss this as "this is just how it is with age." But not all memory loss is just a normal part of aging. Sometimes it's something deeper, like the onset of a condition like Alzheimer's Disease .
Why is it so late for some people to be diagnosed with this disease?
Simply put, Alzheimer's is a disease that gradually destroys brain cells, affecting memory, thinking ability, and behavior. This is not just a normal part of aging. However, some of the attitudes and lack of knowledge in our society make it difficult to diagnose this disease at an early stage.
Imagine, one of our aunts living in a village starts to forget things. The family thinks, "Oh, she's old." They don't think they need to see a doctor. Perhaps they avoid this because they think about the inconvenience and expense of taking her to a big hospital in the city.
For reasons like these, when the disease is diagnosed late, the patient's condition can gradually worsen. It also becomes a great challenge for the family to take care of him.
The most important thing is to take care of memory loss without dismissing it as "just a normal part of aging." If it is recognized early, it will be much easier for the patient and you to cope with the condition.
Let's look at some of the misconceptions in our society and what the truth is.
| What we usually think (Common Misconception) | Medical Reality |
|---|---|
| It's normal for memory to decline a little as we age. Why is that, doctors? | While mild forgetfulness can occur with normal aging, Alzheimer's disease is a condition in which memory, thinking, and behavior change to the point where it affects daily life. |
| There is no cure for this disease anyway. So there is no point in showing it to the doctor . | Although the disease cannot be completely cured, there are medications and treatments that , if detected early, can help control symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, and improve the patient's quality of life . |
| Mom/Dad doesn't want to go to the doctor because they'll ask questions about their memory. It feels like a disrespect to them. | The questions and tests the doctor asks are not intended to measure the patient's intelligence, but to accurately assess brain function and diagnose the disease. This is a step taken to help them. |
Symptoms that can become severe when the disease is diagnosed late
If the disease is not diagnosed and treated early, symptoms can worsen over time. In addition to memory loss, other dangerous symptoms can occur. Research has shown that people who are diagnosed late often experience the following symptoms:
- Agitation & Aggression: A person who was previously calm may suddenly become angry, scold others, and become aggressive.
- Delusions & Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that are not really there. For example, suspecting someone has stolen money or seeing people in the house who are not there.
- Major behavioral changes: This can include things like inappropriate social behavior and loss of inhibition.
- Abnormal Sleep Patterns: Problems such as sleeping during the day and staying awake at night, or not being able to sleep at night can occur.
- Changes in Eating/Appetite: Loss of appetite or overeating.
- Trouble with Movement: You may lose your balance and have difficulty walking.
Imagine, if our grandmother, who used to always smile, suddenly starts to criticize everyone and be suspicious of everyone... We need to understand that it's not her fault, it could be part of the disease.
Why is there so little data on this in our country?
You know, most of the research done on Alzheimer's disease in the world has been done using populations in Western countries. That means we don't know for sure whether the genetic influences and lifestyle factors found in those studies affect Sri Lankans in the same way.
Also, even cognitive tests that measure memory and thinking ability are designed to suit Western culture and educational patterns. In our country, factors such as a person's level of education and the environment in which they lived can affect the results of these tests.
So, we need more research and data on how this disease affects our people. But for now, the best thing to do is to be aware of the symptoms and seek medical advice as soon as possible.
What to do if you have memory problems?
If you suspect that you or someone in your family is experiencing these types of memory problems or behavioral changes, the best thing to do is to see a doctor you trust .
1. See your primary care doctor: First, talk to your family doctor (GP). He or she can run some tests to see if this could be Alzheimer's or if it's due to something else (such as a vitamin deficiency or thyroid problem).
2. Referral to a Specialist: If necessary, your family doctor will refer you to a neurologist or psychiatrist . These specialists can perform more in-depth tests and accurately diagnose the condition.
3. Don't be afraid: Remember, seeing a doctor is the best step you can take to help your loved one. It's not disrespectful to them, but a way to show your love and care.
Take-Home Message
- Not all memory loss that occurs with age is normal. It can be a symptom of a disease like Alzheimer's.
- Ignoring it, saying "this is just how it is when you get older," can make the disease worse. It is very important to detect the disease at an early stage .
- If you have any concerns about your memory or behavior or that of a family member, talk to your doctor without delay.
- Although the disease cannot be completely cured, managing the symptoms allows the patient and family to live a better quality of life.
- Caring for someone with Alzheimer's is a journey that requires patience and understanding. They need your love and support more than ever.
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