What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer’s Disease is an illness that affects the brain. It can cause problems with memory, thinking and behaviour.

It usually begins years before symptoms are noticed, so it’s important to have a diagnosis early.

Scientists are working on new treatments to slow the progress of the disease and lessen symptoms. They hope to develop medications that target two proteins called amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles.

That cause alzheimer

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors. People with certain risk factors are more likely to get it than others, and they may also experience symptoms earlier in life.

One of the major causes of Alzheimer’s disease is a build-up of proteins in and around brain cells called plaques and tangles. These proteins are thought to interfere with brain cell communication and cause a slow and gradual death of nerve cells.

Experts are still not sure how this happens. But they think it’s a process that begins many years before symptoms develop, when the levels of chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) are low and the brain’s ability to form new cells is slowing down.

Eventually, the plaques and tangles start to spread from one area of the brain to other areas. As the disease progresses, memory loss and other symptoms develop.

The rate of progression of Alzheimer’s varies from person to person, and it can be mild or severe. Most people with the disease live for eight years or more after diagnosis, but the exact length of time a person lives depends on several factors, including the type of Alzheimer’s (early onset or late onset), and how much damage has been done to the brain.

For most people, Alzheimer’s is caused by a mix of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time. However, in less than 1% of cases, there are specific genetic changes that almost guarantee a person will develop the disease.

Another important factor that affects your chances of getting Alzheimer’s is age. The chance of developing the disease doubles every five years after you reach 65. It’s more common for older women to develop the disease than older men, and it can occur at any age if there’s a family history of the condition.

Other factors that raise the risk of Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and a head injury. Taking steps to reduce these risks can help you manage the symptoms and improve your overall health and well-being. Some of these things can be done without medications, such as dietary changes and exercise.

Signs of alzheimer’s disease

If you notice that a loved one is experiencing any of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, see a doctor right away. A doctor can diagnose the illness and suggest the best treatment for the person.

Memory loss is a common sign of Alzheimer’s disease and it usually gets worse over time. Someone with the disease may forget names of family members and other people, place objects in places they don’t recognize or have trouble finding words for things or expressing thoughts.

Mild forgetfulness is normal for older adults, but if this problem becomes severe and disrupts your daily life, it could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. This is different from the occasional lapse of memory, such as when you forget your keys or lose track of where you’ve parked your car.

Researchers believe that a build-up of brain protein (called amyloid) inside and around the brain cells damages them. Eventually, this damage leads to the death of brain cells. This process is also associated with a decrease in chemical messengers called neurotransmitters, which send messages between brain cells.

These messengers are important for thinking, learning and remembering. Drugs can help slow the progress of the disease and may improve some symptoms.

The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss. When memory problems become severe, people with the disease are often unable to complete everyday tasks, such as shopping or driving. They also have trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.

There are also changes in mood, behavior and personality. These can affect a person’s ability to interact socially with others. They can be irritable, depressed or anxious and may lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.

This can be a very difficult situation for everyone involved, including the person with the disease and those who are providing care. It’s a good idea to talk about it with someone who can understand and support you.

Age is the most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The chances of developing the disease double every 5 years after you reach 65. Other risk factors include having certain genetic conditions, such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and a family history of the disease.

Treatment for alzheimer’s disease

The most common treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is a drug called donepezil (Aricept). Donepezil is taken as a pill once a day, and it comes in different doses. It’s available as extended-release capsules and as tablets that dissolve on your tongue. It’s also sometimes used as a skin patch to treat severe Alzheimer’s disease.

Donepezil and other cholinesterase inhibitors boost the levels of a chemical messenger in your brain that helps you remember things, think clearly and make decisions. These drugs can’t reverse Alzheimer’s, but they can help you feel more alert and less depressed.

Several other medications have also been shown to slow the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, including lecanemab (Aduhelm). It’s an infusion therapy that targets the beta-amyloid clusters that form plaques in the brain. It’s the first infusion drug to be approved by the FDA for Alzheimer’s, and it can reduce amyloid plaques in the brain and slow the disease in those with early-stage, symptomatic dementia.

Another medication, galantamine (Razadyne), may also slow the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It’s taken as a pill once a day or as an extended-release capsule twice a day. It’s available in a range of doses and can be used for mild, moderate and severe forms of the disease.

A drug called rivastigmine (Exelon) may be helpful for people with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. It’s also given as an infusion over a period of six months, with a gradual decline in medication needed afterward.

Other medications include antipsychotic medicines, such as risperidone or haloperidol, which can ease behavioral changes associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia. These medicines can be effective for some people, but they should be prescribed at the lowest possible dose and for the shortest time to minimize side effects.

The most recent infusion drug approved by the FDA for Alzheimer’s is aducanumab (Aduhelm). It’s the first medication to be specifically designed to target beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, and it can slow the disease in those with early-stage, mild symptomatic Alzheimer’s. But it can’t reverse the death of nerve cells that causes the disease’s symptoms, and it isn’t for those already in the final stage of dementia.

How to prevent alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that gradually causes loss of memory and other thinking skills. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics and certain lifestyle habits. However, there are things that you can do to prevent it.

One way is to eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, fish, and legumes. You should also avoid foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fats, and salt. This can help reduce your risk of developing alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Another way is to exercise regularly. Physical activity can improve your cognitive function and lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s or other dementias, according to research.

It can also help you maintain your independence and quality of life. Aim to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week.

You can also stay mentally active by reading, playing board games, learning a new skill, or volunteering. These activities can help you stay engaged and prevent social isolation, which is linked to dementia.

Aside from these ways to protect your brain, you should also be sure to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes levels. If you have these health problems, ask your doctor to manage them with medication and other treatment.

If you’re at a higher risk for alzheimer’s disease, ask your doctor about a screening test to find out your APOE gene status. Having a rare change in the APOE gene, known as an APOE e4 allele, is linked to a higher risk of developing alzheimer’s.

These changes account for less than 1% of Alzheimer’s cases, so most people with this gene don’t develop the disease.

Even if you don’t have an APOE e4 gene, you can still be at risk for alzheimer’s disease if you are overweight or obese. This is because being overweight or obese can increase your risk of other diseases and conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

It’s important to remember that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease depends on a number of factors, including your age and family history. But there are steps you can take to lower your risk, including eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking.

https://assistedlivingseniorcare.org/what-is-alzheimers-disease-44/