Understanding Alzheimer's

As people grow older, they experience some slowed thinking and occasional lapses in memory which are normal part of aging. But more serious memory loss, confusion and changes in mental functioning that affect the person’s ability to carry out daily activities may be symptoms of something else.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. (Dementia, the loss of mental functions, may be caused by other disorders, too.) AD is a slowly progressive disease of the brain, destroying brain cells which cause severe memory problems, and problems in thinking and behavior.

Most individuals with the disease are age 65 and older. Nearly half of people who are 85 and older may have this disease.

AD is named after a German physician, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first described the disease in 1906. He performed an autopsy on the brain of a 51-year-old patient who was thought to have mental illness, and discovered abnormal plaques and tangles in the brain tissue which are the hallmarks of what is now called Alzheimer’s disease.

SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER’S

According to the checklist provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease are :

1. Memory loss. Forgetting recently learned information and forgetting more often.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
3. Problems with language. Forgetting simple words or substituting unusual words.
4. Disorientation to time and place.
5. Poor or decreased judgment. Ex: Wearing layers of clothing on a warm day
6. Problems with abstract thinking. Unusual difficulty in performing complex mental tasks.
7. Misplacing things. Putting things in unusual places.
8. Changes in mood or behavior. Rapid mood swings for no apparent reason.
9. Changes in personality. Ex: Feeling afraid or suspicious
10. Loss of initiative. Ex: Sleeping more than usual; Not wanting to do usual activities

It is important to consult a physician for complete evaluation when the person exhibits several of these signs.

RISK FACTORS

It is not yet fully understood what caused Alzheimer’s disease. However, certain risk factors noted are : age, family history and genetics.

Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol also appear to be risk factors.

TREATMENT

At present there is no cure to AD. But current medications provide some improvement in cognitive and behavioral symptoms and may slow the progression of the disease.

Non-medical treatments which are helpful are: exercise, nutrition, activities and social interaction.

WAYS TO REDUCE RISK FOR DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER’S

1. Keep a proper diet.
2. Get adequate vitamins.
3. Do not smoke.
4. Exercise.
5. Minimize stress.
6. Engage in social activities.
7. Keep the brain active through intellectually stimulating activities.

CARING FOR PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S

The following are helpful tips for caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Encourage good nutrition.
2. Incorporate exercise, activities and social interaction.
3. Keep the environment safe by removing things that could harm the patient (e.g., matches, sharp objects, car keys).
4. Provide “guides” for patient towards desired behavior, like labeling drawers to put things in proper places.
5. Include simple activities that provide structure and sense of accomplishment for the patient.
6. As a caregiver, you must also take care of yourself, so do take some breaks.

(References: Alzheimers.org, Alz.org, WebMD.com, MedicineNet.com, Alzheimer’s Disease)

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