There are many causes of dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause. Alzheimer’s disease is progressive disorders that cause brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die. Current Alzheimer’s disease medications may temporarily improve symptoms or slow the rate of decline, but there is no cure for the disease at this time.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder. The disease severely affects memory, thinking, learning and organising skills – and eventually affects a person’s ability to carry out simple daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of the aging process. Alzheimer’s is a disease whose symptoms worsen over time. Many clinicians believe the disease process may go on for 10 years or longer before the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease appear.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Scientists believe that, for most people, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. The exact causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not fully understood, but at its core are problems with brain proteins that fail to function normally, disrupt the work of brain cells (neurons) and unleash a series of toxic events. Neurons are damaged, lose connections to each other and eventually die. Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease have an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain. The build-up of these proteins — called amyloid protein and tau protein — leads to cell death.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. An early sign of the disease is usually difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, memory impairments worsen and other symptoms develop.
At first, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may be aware of having difficulty with remembering things and organising thoughts. A family member or friend may be more likely to notice how the symptoms worsen.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary from person to person and worsen over time. Besides memory loss, other symptoms include:
• Putting objects in odd places
• Confusion about events, time and place
• Repeating questions
• Trouble managing money and paying bills
• Trouble performing/taking longer to perform familiar tasks
• Getting lost/wandering
• Not being able to sleep
• Changes in personality and behaviour including agitation, anxiety and aggression
• Having groundless suspicions about family, friends and caregivers
• Poor judgment or reasoning
• Trouble recognising family and friends
• Difficulty learning and remembering new information/recent events
• Difficulty performing multistep tasks, such as dressing or cooking
• Having hallucinations, delusions or paranoia
• Difficulty speaking/finding the right words
• Difficulty reading, writing and working with numbers
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty swallowing
Diagnosis
A detailed history and physical examination are important in making the diagnosis. A neurological examination is vital in helping to make the diagnosis. A number of tests might be needed to rule out other similar conditions. Brain imaging tests might be warranted.
Which medicines are used to treat Alzheimer’s disease?
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but available medications temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and help with behavioural problems that may appear during the course of the disease.
Prevention
Alzheimer’s disease is not a preventable condition. However, a number of lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s can be modified. Evidence suggests that changes in diet, exercise and habits — steps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease — may also lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia. Heart-healthy lifestyle choices that may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s include the following:
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a diet of fresh produce, healthy oils and foods low in saturated fat
• Follow treatment guidelines to manage high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol
• If you smoke, ask your doctor for help to quit smoking
Studies have shown that preserved thinking skills later in life, and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, are associated with participating in social events, reading, dancing, playing board games, creating art, playing an instrument, and other activities that require mental and social engagement.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia in many countries including Anguilla. The disease is associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It can affect memory, thinking skills and other mental abilities. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not yet fully understood, although a number of things are thought to increase your risk of developing the condition. There is no cure for the disease but there are some treatments that can help in the management of this progressive brain disorder.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-eight years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5828).
