Alzheimer’s disease—one of the causative agents of Dementia in the elderly folks is currently the sixth most prominent cause of deaths in America. Dementia results in memory loss, and also affects remembrance, thinking, behavior and cognitive functioning—ultimately hampering the daily routine of the affected person and endangering his or her life.

1. Alzheimer’s disease: Is your Poor
Memory a Warning Bell?
Alzheimer’s Disease: Important Facts you must
Know
Alzheimer’s disease—one of the causative agents of Dementia in the elderly
folks is currently the sixth most prominent cause of deaths in America.
Dementia results in memory loss, and also affects remembrance, thinking,
behavior and cognitive functioning—ultimately hampering the daily routine of
the affected person and endangering his or her life.
About Alzheimer’s disease
It is an irreversible, progressive neurological disorder affecting the brain. It
damages the neurons, ultimately causing cognitive decline and memory loss.
The remaining undamaged brain cells lose a healthy connection among them.
About 60%-80% of people suffering from AD develop dementia in the later
ages. The degree of expression varies from a mild to a severe stage. It
induces neurochemical changes in the brain that cause confusion and
personality change. Eventually, the patient starts depending on others for
simple everyday activities.

2. What Causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Several factors (like lifestyle, genetics, and environment) collectively cause
Alzheimer’s disease symptoms over time. Genetics dominates in just less
than 5% of cases.
As it progresses, a significant shrinkage in the brain cells is observed. The
disease is characterized by 2 hallmarks—
1. Tangles
Tau proteins, which are necessary for transporting nutrients and necessary
molecules across the neurons, twist at abnormal angles. They tangle and
bring down the entire transport system of the brain.
2. Plaques
The accumulation of beta-amyloids—(clumped proteins that hamper cell
signaling and communication), outside the brain cells produces significant
damages.
Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms
The signs include—
1. Impairment of necessary life skills and functions (like judgment,
reasoning, comprehension), which reflects in poor decision making,
inability to handle things or perform sequential activities and least regard
for personal safety.
2. Poor memory that deteriorates the ability to retain and remember
information, even the things that you have been doing regularly.
3. Changes in skills, habits and routine, which include hesitant or nervous
behavior, errors in speech, writing, and spelling, or forgetting commonly
used words while speaking.
4. A poor visuospatial ability that does not result from eye disorders. Patients
may forget familiar faces and objects or find themselves unable to use the
simplest tools.

3. 5. Personality and behavioral disorder that includes, but is not limited to
aggression, mood swings, social withdrawal, apathy, disinterest,
obsession, compulsive or socially unacceptable behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease Risk Factors
 Age: People above the age of 60 develop severe symptoms.
 Genetics: The presence of risky gene APoE4 (Apolipoprotein) in the
family tree confirms the disease.
 Gender: Women are more vulnerable to memory-related disorders.
 Birth Defects: Certain disorders, such as Down’s syndrome significantly
increase the risks of other diseases due to molecular changes.
 Head injury or Traumatic experience.
 Lifestyle: Poor memory is a common symptom of the disease like
diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity which result from a poor
lifestyle.
Diagnosing Dementia
Doctors check neurological functioning with an MRI scan or CT scan. A
person is screened for depression and other genetic diseases. Cognitive
assessment is conducted to gauge his abilities and the presence of the
APOE-e4 gene is tested to validate genetic factors.
Treating Alzheimer’s disease
 Drug Therapy—
There are no drugs that cure AD, but they control symptoms, which helps the
patient improve the quality of life. NMDA receptor antagonist (Memantine) is
used in combination with Cholinesterase inhibitors
(Tacrine, Donepezil, Rivastigmine, etc.) to provide symptomatic relief.

4.  Behavioral Therapy—
The Alzheimer’s Association says cognitive behavior therapy, day-care
programs, skill-oriented activities, memory exercises, social support,
psychological counseling and involvement of the patients in social services
and groups is important.
Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
It is impossible to prevent the neurochemical changes in the brain, but it is
easier to control the symptoms if you adopt these as a part of your daily
routine—
 150 minutes of regular exercise for increasing oxygen supply to the
brain.
 Activities that promote balance and coordination.
 Engaging in social activities (volunteering for a cause, planning
community meetings, a weekend get-together with friends, etc.) to boost
confidence.
 Having a healthy diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, fiber,
liquid, and proteins.
 Solving riddles, puzzles, mind games, etc. for mental stimulation.
 Managing stress with meditation.
 Having a sound sleep of 7-8 hours on a daily basis.
 Avoiding alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs.
Alzheimer’s disease may impose several challenges for not just the patient,
but his family as well. Nonetheless, you can control the worsening of
symptoms with proper care, treatment, and follow-ups. Find all the support
that you can get from world-class doctors in the Alzheimer’s Awareness
Month, starting from 21st
September.