What is Alzheimer's Disease ?
Dementia is a disorder characterized by serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia. It is more common in older individuals.
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. Although scientists are learning more every day, right now, they still do not know what causes Alzheimer’s disease. Thus it is an Idiopathic disease.
DSM 5 has changed the terminology of Alzheimer’s Disease as “Major or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s Disease”
Alzheimer Symptoms
- Forgetfulness
- Language difficulties including difficulty in remembering names
- Difficulty in planning and problem solving
- Difficulty in doing previously familiar tasks
- Difficulty in concentration
- Difficulty in spatial relationships like remembering roads and routes to a particular destination
- Difficulty in social behavior
STAGES
Pre-dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or Mild Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s Disease: Characterized by level of cognitive decline that requires compensatory strategies and accommodations to help maintain independence and perform activities of daily living.
Mild Alzheimer’s dementia or Major Mild Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s Disease- Mild: Characterized by symptoms which mildly impair activities of daily living so that patient needs supervision over complex tasks, like managing finances etc.
Moderate Alzheimer’s dementia or Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s Disease- Moderate: Characterized by symptoms which moderately impair activities of daily living so that patient needs assistance for some of the activities.
Severe Alzheimer’s dementia or Major Neurocognitive Disorder Due to Alzheimer’s Disease- Severe: Characterized by symptoms which severely impair activities of daily living such that patient is completely dependent on others for basic needs.
Patients with severe dementia may lose the ability to walk, talk, and take care for themselves. They need to rely on caregivers to handle even their most basic needs, including eating, washing, and going to the bathroom. They may also have difficulty in communication including telling names of things, or finding appropriate words to express themselves.
Alzheimer's Disease Causes
Genetic: The Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene is implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease. This gene has several forms. One of them, ApoE ?4, seems to increase a person’s risk of getting the disease. However, carrying the ApoE ?4 form of the gene does not necessarily mean that a person will develop Alzheimer’s disease, and people carrying no ApoE ?4 can also develop the disease. Most experts believe that additional genes like Presenilin 1, mutation on chromosome 14, APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein) mutation on chromosome 21 and Presenilin 2, mutation on chromosome 1 may influence the development of late-onset Alzheimer’s. Scientists around the world are searching for other genes that may increase a person’s risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Environmental/ Lifestyle factors: Diseases like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia etc. have also shown to be linked with the Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for several reasons. It can tell people whether their symptoms are due to Alzheimer’s disease or another cause, such as stroke, tumour, Parkinson’s disease, sleep disturbances, side effects of medications, or other conditions that may be treatable and possibly reversible.
It also help families plan for their future, make living arrangements and develop support networks. In addition, an early diagnosis can provide greater opportunities for people to get involved in clinical trials.
Although definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's can be made only after death, yet the doctors can usually diagnose the disease with the help of:
- Past medical history and current health status
- Changes in the behavior and personality of the patient
- Conducting cognitive tests involving memory, problem solving, language, etc
- Standard medical tests, such as blood and urine tests, in order to rule out other causes
- Brain scans including CT/MRI scans
Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
- Reading
- Writing for pleasure
- Playing musical instruments
- Taking part in adult education courses
- Playing games
- Swimming
- Group sports, such as bowling
- Walking
- And other recreational activities