Is your loved one forgetting things? Let's talk about Alzheimer's Disease

You may think that it is normal for your mother, father, or grandmother to forget things as they get older. But is this forgetfulness so severe that it is affecting your daily activities? Are you losing your memory of conversations or recent events? Then this may be more than just a normal part of aging. It may even be the beginning of Alzheimer's Disease. So let's not be afraid of this, but be aware of it.

What exactly is Alzheimer's disease?

Simply put, Alzheimer's is a disease that damages our brains and gradually takes away our memories. It is most common in people over the age of 65. But this is not a normal part of aging. It is a disease. It starts with forgetting recent events. But surprisingly, you can remember things that happened years ago. As the disease progresses, other symptoms begin to appear.

• Difficulty concentrating on something.
• Inability to perform even simple tasks such as making tea, for example.
• Feeling confused and frustrated , especially at night.
• Major changes in behavior, such as sudden anger, constant anxiety, and depression.
• Getting lost , forgetting where you are and even where you are going.
• Physical problems such as a strange gait and loss of balance .
• Difficulty talking and communicating with others.

As the disease progresses, you may forget even your loved ones. You may even be unable to dress yourself, eat, or use the toilet on your own.

Are Alzheimer's and Dementia the same thing?

Although these two words are often heard together, there is a slight difference between the two. Let's understand it this way. Think of "Dementia" as a big umbrella. Under this umbrella are a number of diseases that cause problems with memory, thinking ability, and behavior. That is, dementia is not the name of one specific disease, but a general name for a collection of symptoms. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common specific disease under the umbrella of dementia. That is, not everyone with Alzheimer's disease has dementia. But not everyone with dementia has Alzheimer's disease. There are other types of diseases that cause it.

What are the stages of Alzheimer's disease?

This disease progresses through three main stages. It is important for the patient and their caregivers to be aware of this.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

Scientists are still not sure why some people develop the disease and others do not. But they do know that the symptoms are caused by two main types of damage to nerve cells in the brain. 1. Proteins become tangled together inside nerve cells, forming clumps called neurofibrillary tangles . 2. Protein deposits called beta-amyloid plaques build up between nerve cells. It is not known exactly how or why this damage occurs, but it is suspected that it has something to do with a protein in our blood called ApoE (apolipoprotein E).

Is this a hereditary disease?

The answer to this question is a bit complicated. There is no single genetic cause of Alzheimer's disease. However, it has been found that certain genetic mutations can increase or decrease the risk of developing the disease.

How to diagnose this disease? (Diagnosis)

If you suspect that you or a loved one has Alzheimer's symptoms, the first thing you should do is see a doctor . Your primary care doctor can refer you to a neurologist. When you go to see the doctor, it is very important to have a family member with you, especially someone who knows him/her well. This is because the patient may forget some things. The doctor will mainly ask about:

• Are there any problems with memory or thinking ability? If so, to what extent?
• Have there been any changes in behavior or personality?
• How have these problems affected daily life?

In addition, several tests can be done to confirm the diagnosis:

• Neurological tests that measure memory, problem-solving ability, attention, and language ability.
• Blood and urine tests to ensure that there are no other medical conditions.
• A psychiatric evaluation to check mental health.
• A spinal tap is a test that involves taking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the spinal cord.
• Brain scans , including `CT` (Computed Tomography), ` MRI` (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and `PET` ( Positron Emission Tomography ) scans.

Are there things we can do to protect ourselves from Alzheimer's disease?

There is no way to 100% prevent the development of this disease yet. However, we can reduce the risk of developing the disease through certain lifestyle changes.

• Control high blood pressure : High blood pressure increases the risk of developing memory problems later in life.
• Exercise regularly: Physical activity is very good for your brain health.
• Follow a healthy diet:Reducing sugar and saturated fats and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help protect the brain.
• Stay social: Talking to others and participating in different activities helps keep the brain active.
• Take care of your head: Severe head injuries can increase the risk of Alzheimer's later in life, so always take safety precautions.
• Be careful about hearing loss: It has been found that untreated hearing loss can lead to decreased thinking ability as you age.

Advice for Caring for an Alzheimer's Patient

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, it is a big commitment and a challenge. Patience, kindness, and understanding are very important here. The following tips will help you.

• Manage your medications: Since patients tend to forget things, it is your responsibility to administer medications on time. Use pill trackers.
• Maintain a routine: Try to do things like bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time every day. This will reduce confusion for the patient.
• Make to-do lists: Write down things like to-dos and appointments in large letters and post them in a visible place.
• Give independence whenever possible: Don't go around helping the patient with things they can do on their own. This will help maintain their self-confidence.
• Provide clothes that are easy to wear: Choose clothes with elastic and Velcro instead of buttons and lace.
• Make your home environment safer: Remove slippery carpets. Provide good lighting. Install handrails in the bathroom and toilet.
• Speak patiently, respectfully, and clearly: Include them in conversations. Listen patiently to what they have to say.

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