“I forgot how to tie my shoelaces again. I might have an Alzheimer . . .”
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia. Dementia is a broader term for conditions caused by brain injuries or diseases that negatively affect memory, thinking, and behavior.
These changes interfere with daily living. Most people with the disease get a diagnosis after age 65. If it’s diagnosed before then, it’s generally referred to as early onset Alzheimer’s disease. There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic ongoing condition. Its symptoms come on gradually and the effects on the brain are degenerative, meaning they cause slow decline. Anyone can get Alzheimer’s disease but certain people are at higher risk for it. This includes people over age 65 and those with a family history of the condition.
Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t the same thing. The terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” are sometimes used interchangeably. However, these two conditions aren’t the same. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia.
Dementia is a broader term for conditions with symptoms relating to memory loss such as forgetfulness and confusion. Dementia includes more specific conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and others, which can cause these symptoms. Causes, symptoms, and treatments can be different for these diseases.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Experts haven’t determined a single cause of Alzheimer’s disease but they have identified certain risk factors, including:
Age
Most people who develop Alzheimer’s disease are 65 years of age or older.
Family history
If you have an immediate family member who has developed the condition, you’re more likely to get it.
Genetics
Certain genes have been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
Having one or more of these risk factors mean that risk level of develop Alzheimer’s disease raises. But it doesn’t mean that it will develop.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Everyone has episodes of forgetfulness from time to time. But people with Alzheimer’s disease display certain ongoing behaviors and symptoms that worsen over time. These can include:
Memory loss affecting daily activities, such as an ability to keep appointments
Trouble with familiar tasks, such as using a microwave
Difficulties with problem-solving
Trouble with speech or writing
Becoming disoriented about times or places
Decreased judgment
Decreased personal hygiene
Mood and personality changes
Withdrawal from friends, family, and community
Symptoms change according to the stage of the disease.
Alzheimer’s stages
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, which means the symptoms will gradually worsen over time. Alzheimer’s is broken down into seven stages:
Stage 1
There are no symptoms at this stage but there might be an early diagnosis based on family history.
Stage 2
The earliest symptoms appear, such as forgetfulness.
Stage 3
Mild physical and mental impairments appear, such as reduced memory and concentration. These may only be noticeable by someone very close to the person.
Stage 4
Alzheimer’s is often diagnosed at this stage, but it’s still considered mild. Memory loss and the inability to perform everyday tasks is evident.
Stage 5
Moderate to severe symptoms require help from loved ones or caregivers.
Stage 6
At this stage, a person with Alzheimer’s may need help with basic tasks, such as eating and putting on clothes.
Stage 7
This is the most severe and final stage of Alzheimer’s. There may be a loss of speech and facial expressions.
As a person progresses through these stages, they’ll need increasing support from a caregiver.
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease
It difficult to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease unequivocally. The doctor can use examinations and tests to assess your mental abilities, diagnose dementia, and rule out other conditions. The doctor likely starts by taking a medical history. They may ask about your:
Symptoms
Family medical history
Other current or past health conditions
Current or past medications
Diet, alcohol intake, or other lifestyle habits
Next the doctor will likely do several tests to help determine if there is Alzheimer’s disease or not.
Alzheimer’s treatment
There’s no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, your doctor can recommend medications and other treatments to help ease your symptoms and delay the progression of the disease for as long as possible. The doctor may also recommend antidepressants, antianxiety medications, or antipsychotics to help treat symptoms related to Alzheimer’s.
These symptoms include:
Depression
Restlessness
Aggression
Agitation
Hallucinations
Although age is the largest risk factor and the greatest predictor of whether someone will have Alzheimer’s, but even those at higher genetic risk of the disease can take steps to lessen their risk or may help manage the condition.
One of the most important is running an appropriate lifestyle. There’s strong evidence that making better lifestyle choices can reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s.
E.g, physical aerobic exercise doesn’t just help Alzheimer’s symptoms, but may also slow brain degeneration associated with the disease and slow shrinkage of a part of the brain involved in memory. Keeping a healthy diet, controlling blood pressure – these are the most important activities that significantly reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
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