Anxiety Clinic & Health Care

What is Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that causes brain cells to deteriorate and die. As the disease progresses, it begins to affect the person’s memory and cognitive function. Whilst the disease typically occurs in older people, it has been diagnosed in patients under the age of 40 (known as early-onset dementia).

What causes Alzheimer’s disease?

Scientists have thus far not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of Alzheimer’s, but have found several factors that could potentially increase the risk of developing it. Below are some of the risk factors associated with the condition:

Age: Studies have shown that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years after a person reaches 65.

Gender: Women generally live longer than men which make them more prone to developing Alzheimer’s.

Family history: People with a first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s are far more likely to develop the disease themselves.

Health history: People suffering from other health problem such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are more likely to develop this condition. Smokers are also at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

The most common symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease:

Gradual loss of memory is one of the early symptoms prevalent in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Other symptoms include wandering, depression, dramatic changes in mood, social withdrawal and changes in sleeping habits.

What are the potential complications of Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease can increase in severity if left untreated. People with the condition can often have difficulty swallowing. As a result, food may get into the lungs which can lead to pneumonia. Urinary incontinence is also common among Alzheimer’s patients, as are serious injuries from falls.

How is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?

A doctor will perform tests that determine a patient’s coordination, balance, muscle tone, strength and reflexes. Another important part of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease is neuropsychological testing, whichprovides details of mental function compared to other people of the same age. A CT or an MRI scan may also be necessary in order to get a better view of the brain.

What treatment options are there available?

Whilst Alzheimer’s is a serious and frustrating condition, there are fortunately many treatment options available. Some doctors will prescribe a class of medications called Cholinesterase inhibitors, which work by increasing the communication between brain cells.Memantine (Namenda) is another commonly prescribed medication to treat Alzheimer’s disease, also effective at increasing the communication between cells.

Exercise can also be of enormous benefit to those with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that approximately 30 minutes of exercise each day can help improve cognitive function, as can a healthy and varied diet. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants that help promote brain health.

Nutrients found in fish oil such as Omega 3 have also been shown to improve cognitive function. The easiest way to get the recommended intake of Omega 3 fatty acids is to eat two-three servings of fish per week. Vegetarians or those who do not like fish can take a supplement. Additionally, researchers have discovered that engaging in intellectually-stimulating activities can help preserve cognitive functioning.Care homes offer such opportunities on a regular basis.

As people age one of the health concerns that they worry about is Alzheimer’s disease. Some confuse Alzheimer’s with age related dementia, but dementia and Alzheimer’s are not the same thing. Dementia is actually a group of symptoms that may be a result of aging and may be signified by memory problems, reasoning problems, and thinking problems while Alzheimer’s is actually a disease that affects different parts of the brain.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease:
There are several symptoms that can indicate an individual is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Just because a person has one or even several different symptoms doesn’t automatically indicate that a person has Alzheimer’s disease, but that person should see a physician for further assessment. Symptoms include:

• Repetition: Often questions are repeated within minutes, or even seconds with no memory that the same question had been asked before.
• Memory Loss: Anyone can forget things, especially things from the past, but Alzheimer’s patients tend to forget things that happened recently. They sometimes even forget what happened yesterday or early today.
• Disorientation: Another sign of Alzheimer’s disease is being confused and lost in places the person should be able to navigate with ease. An example might be getting lost in the neighborhood the person has lived in for years.
• Personality Change: Sometimes a sign of early onset Alzheimer’s disease is drastic change in personality. A person might suddenly become untrusting of close family members for no apparent reason. There might be accusations about a spouse or children, or a formerly happy extrovert might become more quiet and private.

An Appropriate Diagnosis
Just because someone has one or more of these symptoms does not mean they have Alzheimer’s. It could indicate an adverse reaction to medication, or it could be another medical problem such as suffering from a stroke. Only a physician can determine for certain whether the cause of the symptoms is Alzheimer’s disease or not. Matters are complicated for the patient and their doctor because there is no single test to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease; instead the doctor must conduct several assessments to determine the cause of changing behaviors.

The doctor will perform a mental status test to determine how the person is functioning. The doctor will test short-term memory, how well they follow directions, and their problem solving skills. The doctor will also conduct neurological tests and will likely take images of the brain. The images which might include CT scans, MRI’s, and PET scans can help determine if a stroke or other problem has caused the change in behavior.
Care for Alzheimer’s Patients
For those patients who do have Alzheimer’s disease, there are more options now than in the past. There are several medications that, although they cannot cure Alzheimer’s, can slow the progression of the disease and sometimes improve some cognitive abilities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, more care will be needed.

One common solution isnursing homes that are equipped to take care of Alzheimer’s patients. These facilities can offer trained medical staffs who know specifically how to safely treat those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, as well as being able to keep these patients safe from themselves and others. These facilities also offer patients appropriate activities to keep them interested and challenged on a daily basis.

No one wants a loved one to have Alzheimer’s disease, but by paying attention to the symptoms early on, this disease can be medicated so that more good times are in the future. Through the help of doctors and other caregivers, there can be many years enjoying the company of loved ones.