Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a prevalent form of dementia among the elderly population that gradually erodes cognitive abilities, memory, and ultimately the capacity to do even the most basic tasks.

It is believed that aberrant protein accumulation within and around brain cells is the root cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

Forgetting previous discussions or experiences is one of the early warning symptoms. It eventually leads to severe memory loss and the inability to carry out daily duties. Communication difficulties, a lack of awareness of the environment, physical decline, trouble swallowing, and more could be present. Alzheimer’s disease symptoms develop over time and initially manifest later in life.

Symptoms

• Memory issues – forgetting recent conversations or events – misplacing items. It is one of the first signs of cognitive impairment..

• Forgetting the names of places and objects, having trouble thinking of the right words, confused.

• Poor judgment or finding it difficult to make decisions – Asking questions repetitively

• Quite hesitant to try new things.

• Movement difficulties – Less flexible

• Word finding, vision issues, and impaired reasoning or judgment may signal the very early stages of the disease. Studies are using biomarkers to detect changes in the brain, in cognitively normal people who may be at greater risk for disease.

Causes & Risks

• Increasing age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, and isn’t a part of typical aging.

• Alzheimer’s is characterised by changes in the brain leading to deposits of certain proteins.

• Causes include a combination of age-related factors, along with genetic, environmental, and lifestyle.

• Health care providers use several methods to help determine whether a person who is having memory problems has Alzheimer’s.

• The importance of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s may differ for every person involved.

• Alzheimer’s causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia – memory loss.

Check it out to know more about Alzheimer’s disease