Alzheimer’s is an incurable disease, which is also the most common form of dementia, and includes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. This worsens as it progresses and can also lead to death. It is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Dementia is a disorder of the brain that severely impairs a person’s ability to perform daily activities.
It has been proven in a recent study that every 67 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. An estimated 7 million Americans are living with this noncurable disease.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
This disease typically develops around age 65, and the risk increases with age. There is a multiplicity of causes that lead to Alzheimer’s disease, which are as follows:
- Genetic factors – It has been proven that less than 5 per cent of the time, Alzheimer’s is caused by specific genetic changes. If you have a first-degree relative, like your parent or sibling, who has the disease, then you are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. In most cases, Alzheimer’s disease does not exhibit dominant inheritance, in which environmental and genetic differences may act as risk factors.
- Sex –Women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than men because they live longer.
- Lifestyle and heart health –Basically, there is some evidence that suggests that the factors that put you at risk of heart disease may increase the chances that you will develop Alzheimer’s. These include lack of exercise, high blood pressure and cholesterol, poorly controlled diabetes, a diet lacking fruits and vegetables and smoking.
- Lifelong learning and social engagement – People are at higher risk of developing this deadly disease because of lower levels of education, fewer mentally challenging activities and fewer social interactions.
Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:
Alzheimer’s disease progresses slowly, and initially it attacks the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Some of the symptoms of this disease are as follows:
- Memory loss, including not being able to recognise family members and trouble in reading or writing, are the warning signs of developing Alzheimer’s
- A decline in recognition, such as word-finding, vision issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment, is also an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Symptoms also include forgetting how to brush teeth or comb hair.
- In the later stages, symptoms become more severe, and the affected person gets more aggressive or wanders away from home.
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease:
Generally, Alzheimer’s disease can be effectively diagnosed only after the death of the diseased person, by performing an examination of brain tissue and pathology in an autopsy. But, due to the advancement in the field of technology and medicine, doctors have developed various methods to determine whether a person who is having memory problems has possible Alzheimer’s dementia or probable Alzheimer’s dementia. To diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors may perform or ask many questions and tests; these may include:
- Questions regarding overall health, previous medical problems and ability to carry out daily activities
- Complete physical exam, including neurological exam
- Performing various standardised medical tests, like blood and urine tests, to identify other possible causes of the disease
- Brain scans or MRIs may also be done to distinguish Alzheimer’s from other possible causes
Early detection of this diagnosis is beneficial for various reasons. The early diagnosis can provide people with various opportunities to identify whether their symptoms are from Alzheimer’s or from another cause, namely, stroke, tumour, sleep disturbances or any other side effects of medications.
Also read: 5 Myths about Alzheimer’s Disease Debunked
Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease:
Early detection and treatment can help families plan for the future, address financial and legal matters, make living arrangements, and develop support networks. It is a fact that Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured, but its symptoms can be well managed and controlled by taking suitable medications and proper care. These are mentioned below:
Caregivers – Alzheimer’s is a deadly disease in which caring for the affected person should be the main priority. This disease affects caregivers physically, emotionally, and financially. So, it should be the main priority of the caregivers that they do not get frustrated by the behaviour of the Alzheimer’s patient. The caregivers must develop a strong support network of family and friends to handle the stress related to caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. Caregivers may follow the steps below to support a person’s sense of well-being and ability to function:
- Remove excess furniture from the home and throw rugs
- Try to reduce the number of mirrors at home, as people with Alzheimer’s may find images in them frightening.
- Always keep keys, wallets, mobile phones, and other valuables in the same place at home as they were before, so they don’t get lost.
- Try to develop the habit of carrying a mobile phone with location services enabled so you can call if you get lost, and so people can track your location.
Home placement of a nurse – This is not easy for everyone, as families need to consider their financial condition, emotional capacity, and other factors before hiring a nurse. It is also not a certainty that the caregiver you are hiring will be physically or emotionally able to provide care because even with the best care, the person’s condition and mental status with Alzheimer’s disease will decline.
Medications – Alzheimer’s medications can help the diseased person for a time with memory symptoms and other cognitive changes. Cholinesterase inhibitors and Memantine are drugs widely prescribed by doctors to treat cognitive symptoms. In general, these medicines are used to help slow symptom worsening. Moreover, Rivastigmine and Galantamine are drugs that help Alzheimer’s patients in lowering the symptoms from getting worse.
Exercise – Staying fit helps a person fight diseases. So, regular exercise is very important for everybody’s wellness plan. It is very important for a person who has Alzheimer’s, and a daily 30-minute walk can help improve the sufferer’s mood. Moreover, always ensure that the person with Alzheimer’s carries identification when walking unaccompanied.
Nutrition – Caregivers and other family members must keep a check on Alzheimer’s patients, as people with Alzheimer’s may forget to eat and lose interest in healthy food choices. Sometimes they may also forget to drink enough water, which can lead to dehydration and constipation. So, try to offer them high-calorie foods, as well as healthy shakes and smoothies, to meet their daily intake requirements. You can also supplement milkshakes with protein powder to ensure adequate protein and other nutrients. Furthermore, ensure that the person with Alzheimer’s drinks at least several full glasses of liquids every day.
Medicine availability and access guide:
Access to Alzheimer’s medications has become more convenient through online purchase. Choosing
AllDayChemist for Alzheimer’s medications offers several advantages, especially for convenience. The platform offers a wide range of prescription medications for Alzheimer’s at an affordable rate. Moreover, customers can compare products, strengths, and brands from the comfort of their couch without visiting a local pharmacy.
Also Read: Rejuvenate your Brain, Give it a Break
Takeaway!
People with Alzheimer’s disease normally live 8 to 10 years after developing symptoms. But this may vary from person to person and also depends on physical condition. Basically, Alzheimer’s is not usually the actual cause of death, but it acts as a contributing factor. For example, the major cause of death in people with Alzheimer’s is pneumonia, which is a lung infection and may go untreated in people with Alzheimer’s because they are unable to recognise that they’re ill. Pneumonia is not the only cause of death in Alzheimer’s patients, but if Alzheimer’s becomes fatal, there is also a chance of losing life when all bodily systems fail.
