Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and affects individuals living inAnguilla. The disease can have a great effect on affected individuals and persons taking care of them as well.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease, first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer, is a progressive brain disease which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe.
During the course of the disease, protein ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’ develop in the structure of the brain leading to the death of brain cells. People with Alzheimer’s disease also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
While there are some common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, it is important to remember that everyone is unique. No two people are likely to experience Alzheimer’s disease in the same way.
People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words. As the disease progresses, they may:
• become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events
• experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss
• become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems
• have difficulty carrying out everyday activities. They may get muddled checking their change at the shops or become unsure how to work the TV remote
As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer’s will need more support from those who care for them. Eventually, they will need help with all their daily activities.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
So far, no single factor has been identified as a cause for Alzheimer’s disease. It is likely that a combination of factors, including age, genetic inheritance, environmental factors, lifestyle and overall general health, are responsible. In some people, the disease may develop silently for many years before symptoms appear.
Age
Age is the greatest risk factor for dementia. Dementia affects one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in six over the age of 80. However, dementia is not restricted to older people.
Genetic inheritance
Many people fear that they may inherit Alzheimer’s disease and scientists are currently investigating the genetic background to Alzheimer’s.
We do know that there are a few families where there is a very clear inheritance of the disease from one generation to the next. This is often in families where the disease appears relatively early in life.
In the vast majority of cases, however, the influence of inherited genes for Alzheimer’s disease in older people seems to be small. If a parent or other relative has Alzheimer’s, your own chances of developing the disease are only a little higher than if there were no cases of Alzheimer’s in the immediate family.
Environmental factors
The environmental factors that may contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease have yet to be identified. A few years ago, there were concerns that exposure to aluminium might cause Alzheimer’s disease. These fears have largely been discounted.
Other factors
People who have had severe head or whiplash injuries also appear to be at increased risk of developing dementia. Boxers who receive continual blows to the head are at risk too.
Research has also shown that people who smoke, and those who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or diabetes, are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s. You can help reduce your risk by not smoking, eating a healthy balanced diet and having regular checks for blood pressure and cholesterol from middle age. Maintaining a healthy weight and leading an active lifestyle – combining physical, social and mental activity – will also help.
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease
If you are concerned about your own health, or the health of someone close to you, it is important to seek help from your doctor. An early diagnosis will have a number of benefits including the opportunity to plan for the future and access treatment, advice and support.
There is no straightforward test for Alzheimer’s disease or for any other cause of dementia. A diagnosis is usually made by excluding other causes which present similar symptoms. Your doctor will need to rule out conditions such as infections, vitamin deficiency, thyroid problems, depression and the side-effects of medication. A referral to a specialist might be needed to make the diagnosis.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can come as a shock. Even if you have been half expecting it, this will be a worrying and upsetting time. It can also be hard for those close to you. You will all need a great deal of reassurance and support. However, there is much that you can do in the early stages that can help to make life easier and more enjoyable both now and in the future. Please talk to your doctor and others to gain as much knowledge about the disease.
Treatment
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Drug treatments are available that can temporarily alleviate some symptoms or slow down their progression in some people. These drugs are not a cure, but they may stabilise some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease for a limited period, typically 6-12 months or longer.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease
Much can be done at a practical level to ensure that people with Alzheimer’s live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Those taking care of individuals should talk to their health care providers and others so that they can be better prepared to take care of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that affects many individuals and is more common in women than men. When a person with Alzheimer’s disease finds that his or her mental abilities are declining, he or she often feels vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support. The people closest to him or her – including his or her carers, friends and family – need to do everything they can to help the person to retain his or her sense of identity and feelings of self-worth. There is no cure for this disease. Current Alzheimer’s disease medications and management strategies can temporarily improve symptoms, maximize function and maintain independence, and prevent progressive brain disease. Scientists are still working on developing drugs to prevent this progressive brain disease.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over twenty eight years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
