Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink, and results in the death of brain cells. The most common cause of Alzheimer’s disease is dementia, a condition characterized by a continuous decline in thinking, and behavioral and social skills that can affect a person’s ability to function independently. It can also result in changes in personality and behavior, such as depression, mood swings, changes in sleep habits, and distrust in others.
Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer’s. Early signs of the disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. With the progression of the disease, the patient will develop severe loss of memory, and may find it hard to carry out everyday tasks smoothly. A family member may also notice the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The person will routinely misplace possessions, repeat statements and questions, get lost in familiar places, and eventually the names of family members.
Multitasking is especially difficult for the person due to difficulty in concentration, and they would find it challenging to manage finances. There will be a decline in the ability to make reasonable decisions and judgements in the everyday scenarios. In the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the person may not be able to do the routine and sequential steps, such as brushing and dressing.
Causes of Alzheimer’s disease
One of the common causes of Alzheimer’s disease includes the fall in protein level in the brain that disrupts the normal functioning of neurons and triggers toxic events. Damage to neurons results in their losing out the connections, and they eventually begin to die. A combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors may also cause the onset of Alzheimer’s disease in many people. The damage in the brain starts in the region that controls memory, while the spreading to other parts of the brain occurs in somewhat predictable patterns.
Alzheimer’s is not the normal part of ageing, but as you age, your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease increase. Many people with Down’s syndrome also develop Alzheimer’s disease. People with serious head trauma are at a greater risk of developing the Alzheimer’s disease. Many large-scale studies have linked the excessive consumption of alcohol with an early onset of dementia. Difficulty in falling asleep, or staying asleep is also associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Lack of exercise, high blood pressure, obesity, and poor control of type 2 diabetes can also trigger the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
The physician may conduct physical exams such as reflexes, coordination, muscle tone and strength to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Blood tests may help the doctor in ruling out the possible causes of memory loss. They may conduct MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computerized Tomography) to detect the specific brain changes caused due to Alzheimer’s disease. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan be performed by the doctor to diagnose the disease. Some medications, such as cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil (Aricept) and galantamine (Razadyne) may be prescribed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease by the doctor. The drug called Memantine (Namenda) helps in slowing down the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Besides medications, creating a safe and supportive environment is important for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
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