Do you sometimes think, "Oh, I don't remember things very well anymore?" Forgetting where your keys are or where your glasses are is a normal part of aging. But if this forgetfulness becomes more than normal when you're in your 40s or 50s and starts affecting your daily activities and even your job, you should be a little concerned. Because Alzheimer's Disease , a condition in which memory is gradually lost, which we've all heard of, can sometimes occur earlier than we think, that is, before the age of 65.
What exactly is this young-onset Alzheimer's disease?
Simply put, this is Alzheimer's disease that develops in people under the age of 65. Most often, this condition appears in people in their 40s and 50s. However, very rarely, this disease can develop in people in their 30s.
Receiving a diagnosis like this can be a real shock. It means you need to prepare for some big changes in your life right now. As Alzheimer's disease takes away your memory, your ability to think clearly, and eventually your ability to function independently, you need a strong support system . So the best thing to do is to work with your family, friends, and organizations that can help you make a plan for the future.
What are the symptoms of this disease?
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in young adults are largely similar to those of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. It starts with forgetfulness and minor problems with brain function. Over time, these can become severe and interfere with daily activities. Let's look at some of the changes to watch out for.
| Symptom category | Explanation and examples |
|---|---|
| Memory problems | Forgetting where things were, forgetting the day, asking the same question over and over again. |
| Problems with words and language | Not being able to remember words right away when speaking, or using the wrong word. |
| Visual problems | Difficulty understanding what you read, inability to distinguish distances. |
| Difficulty with complex tasks | Inability to perform previously well-practiced tasks (e.g., cooking according to a recipe, balancing household expenses). |
| Interference with daily activities | Difficulty performing routine tasks at work or at home, getting lost and unable to find your way around. |
| Changes in behavior and personality | Decreased ability to choose between good and bad, frequent mood swings, personality changes (feeling like you're not the same person you used to be). |
| Physical discomfort | Difficulty speaking, swallowing, or walking over time. |
What are the reasons for this situation?
Most experts believe that Alzheimer's disease is caused by the buildup of two types of proteins in the brain called amyloid and tau . Think of it as unwanted "junk" that builds up between our brain cells. When these proteins build up too much, they interfere with communication between brain cells and affect how we think.
Scientists are still learning a lot about why some people develop the disease at a young age. In some cases, it may be something that runs in families . That is, it may be due to changes in the genes you get from your parents. People with Down's syndrome (Trisomy 21) also have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease at a young age.
How to diagnose the disease?
The important thing is that a single test cannot confirm the presence of this disease. A doctor uses several methods to confirm this.
First, your doctor will ask about your medical history and discuss your current symptoms. Then, they will perform several tests to check your memory and problem-solving skills.
In addition, you may be referred for various scans to see if there are any changes in your brain and to rule out other causes of these symptoms.
- CT scan : This is a method of taking detailed pictures of the inside of the body using a powerful type of X-ray.
- MRI scan: This uses magnets and radio waves to take very clear pictures of the brain.
- PET scan: This can detect whether the amyloid and tau proteins we talked about earlier are deposited in the brain. But these are very expensive.
In addition, there are new blood tests that look at the levels of certain proteins in the blood (e.g., the Precivity AD test) to predict whether these deposits may be present in the brain. In some cases, the doctor may also suggest testing for genetic changes associated with young-onset Alzheimer's disease.
What are the treatments for this?
The most important thing you can do while living with this condition is to stay as positive as possible. Continue to do things you still enjoy and enjoy. Try things like yoga and deep breathing exercises to calm your mind.
It is also very important to maintain good physical health. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly .
There are medications that can help manage some of the symptoms of young-onset Alzheimer's disease. Your doctor may prescribe medications like these to help manage memory loss:
- Aducanumab-avwa (Aduhelm)
- Donepezil (Aricept)
- Donanemab (Kisunla)
- Galantamine (Razadyne)
- Lecanemab-irmb (Leqembi)
- Memantine (Namenda)
- Memantine-donepezil (Namzaric)
- Rivastigmine (Exelon)
These medications cannot cure the disease completely. But they can delay the progression of symptoms for a few months or years or improve symptoms . This gives you more time to work independently and live independently.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe sleeping pills, antidepressants, or tranquilizers to manage other problems associated with Alzheimer's disease, such as insomnia and anxiety.
How do you plan to live with the disease?
There are some plans you can make now that will help you a lot later. For example, meet with a lawyer to learn about your legal needs. When the time comes that you can no longer make decisions for yourself, you can give someone you trust, called a "power of attorney," the legal authority to make decisions about your health and finances.
It's also a good idea to think about how you'll cover future medical expenses. Consider things like safety equipment at home and the help of a professional caregiver. Talk with your family about your financial situation and how much you'll need to afford good care.
This is the best time to build your "support team." Many people will join this. Your relatives, friends, neighbors, and health professionals all have a role to play here.
The most important thing is to understand what you want, make a clear, realistic plan for it, and communicate it to those around you.
Take-Home Message
- Alzheimer's is not a disease that only affects the elderly. It can also affect people under the age of 65 and younger people.
- Don't ignore early symptoms like memory loss, slurred speech, and difficulty performing routine tasks.
- If you or someone close to you has these symptoms, see a qualified doctor (doctor) immediately for advice.
- Life is not over just because you have been diagnosed with this disease. With proper planning and the support of family and friends, you can move forward.
- Treatment can control symptoms, improve quality of life, and prolong independence.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න