Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease attacks nerves, brain cells and neurotransmitters. It is a primary degenerative cerebral disorder.
Alzheimer’s disease signs and symptoms
Early symptoms
- Language problems, such as trouble finding the name of familiar objects.
- Misplacing items
- Getting lost on familiar routes
- Personality changes and loss of social skills
- Losing interest in things previously enjoyed, flat mood
- Difficulty performing tasks that take some thought, but used to come easily, such as balancing a chequebook, playing complex games (such as a bridge), and learning new information or routines
Moderate symptoms
- Forgetting details about current events
- Forgetting events in your own life history, losing awareness of who you are
- Change in sleep patterns, often waking up at night
- Difficulty reading or writing
- Poor judgment and loss of ability to recognize the danger
- Using the wrong word, mispronouncing words, speaking in confusing sentences
- Withdrawing from social contact
- Having hallucinations, arguments, striking out, and violent behaviour
- Having delusions, depression, agitation
- Difficulty doing basic tasks, such as preparing meals, choosing the proper clothing, and driving
Severe
- Do not understand language
- Do not recognize family members
- Could not perform basic activities of daily living, such as eating, dressing, and bathing
Others
- Incontinence
- Swallowing problems
Causes
- Genetics
A close blood relative, such as a brother, sister, or parent who developed AD - Increasing age
- Persistent high blood pressure
- History of head trauma
- Females
Classification
Early onset
- Before age 60
- Less common
- Progress rapidly
- Run in families
Late-onset
- Aged 60 or older
- Most common
Investigations
- Full blood count
- Urea
- Electrolytes
- Thyroid function test
- CT scan-Brain
- MRI of brain
Treatment
- Ayurveda Medicines
- Behaviour therapy
- Family support
- Caregivers
Complications
- Abuse by an over-stressed caregiver
- Bedsores
- Failure of body systems
- Falls and broken bones
- Harmful or violent behaviour toward self or others
- Loss of ability to function or care for self
- Loss of ability to interact
- Malnutrition
- Dehydration
- Pneumonia
- Urinary tract infections
Alzheimer’s disease Prevention
- Consume a low-fat diet.
- Intake of omega-3-fatty acid (fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel)
- Reduce intake of linoleic acid (margarine, butter, and dairy products).
- Increase intake of antioxidants (dark-coloured fruits and vegetables).
- Maintain normal blood pressure.
- Stay socially active throughout life.
- Do some brain activities (SUDOKU, Puzzles)