Alzheimer’s is a highly frequent cause of dementia. Patients experience memory issues as well as behavioral problems. Therefore, observing and understanding the disease helps in receiving a diagnosis and treatment from the early stages.
What Is Alzheimer‘s Disease?
Alzheimer‘s is a primary cause of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. It occurs due to an abnormal buildup of beta-amyloid and tau proteins, which gradually destroys regular brain cells. This leads to abnormalities in brain function, behavior, and daily living.
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease
Many people wonder “how do you get Alzheimer’s?” In reality, the causes of Alzheimer’s or risk factors do not come from increasing age alone. They stem from a combination of several factors:
- Abnormal proteins in the brain: The accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins that disrupt nerve cell function.
- Genetics: Having a direct family member with this disease increases the risk, especially those who develop the condition at a young age.
- Underlying conditions: Such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, and poorly controlled obesity, including untreated vision or hearing loss.
- Lifestyle behaviors: Smoking, inadequate rest, lack of physical activity, and social isolation.
- Accidents: Severe traumatic brain injury.
- PM 2.5 air pollution.
How Many Stages of Alzheimer’s Symptoms Are There?
To support appropriate care and treatment planning, doctors will assess the stages of the patient’s condition. The severity of the disease progresses sequentially as follows:
- Stage 1 (Pre-dementia): Mild cognitive impairment begins, such as forgetting recent events. It takes time to recall, but the person can still remember and live normally.
- Stage 2 (Early stage): Forgetfulness becomes frequent to the point where it impacts daily life.
- Stage 3 (Moderate stage): Clear memory loss, behavioral changes, and requiring close supervision and assistance with certain daily activities.
- Stage 4 (Severe stage): Difficulty communicating, inability to recognize close individuals, and needing a caregiver closely at all times.
Check for Alzheimer’s Early Signs That Loved Ones Should Watch For
Warning signs may appear similar to general forgetfulness. However, Alzheimer’s early signs will slowly progress to worse symptoms, both in frequency and severity, affecting daily life and physical protection. Key observation points include:
- Short-term memory loss: Asking the same questions repeatedly or forgetting a recently concluded conversation.
- Confusion about time and place: Getting lost in familiar places or not knowing the current date and time.
- Poor decision making and problem solving: Forgetting basic daily routines or being unable to calculate simple numbers.
- Personality changes: Mood swings, irritability, or depression leading to social withdrawal.
- Difficulty finding words: Having trouble communicating, using words with the wrong meaning, or pausing in the middle of speaking.
Alzheimer‘s Diagnosis
If you suspect any symptoms, you should consult a specialized doctor promptly for a detailed assessment. Early diagnosis helps delay deterioration. The examination process includes:
- Cognitive tests: Assessing memory, calculation, and reasoning using standardized tests.
- Blood tests: To rule out other causes such as vitamin deficiencies or thyroid gland abnormalities.
- Brain scans: MRI or CT Scans to check for brain tissue deterioration and to rule out other diseases.
- PET Scan: Technology that helps detect amyloid protein buildup in the brain.
- Blood tests for biomarkers: A method to look for amyloid or tau proteins through blood testing.
Alzheimer’s Treatment
Many people often worry and ask if this condition can be completely resolved. Currently, there is no way to make the condition disappear completely. However, the primary goal of Alzheimer’s treatment is to delay brain deterioration, manage behavioral issues, and maintain self-care abilities for as long as possible. The treatment guidelines are divided into two main categories:
1. Medication
Medication use must be under the close supervision of a neurology doctor, as dosage adjustments and continuous monitoring for adverse effects are required. The medication groups are:
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Such as Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine. These medications help reduce the breakdown of the neurotransmitter “choline” in the brain, allowing nerve cells to communicate. Suitable for patients from the early to late stages.
- NMDA Receptor Antagonists: Such as Memantine. This works to regulate glutamate activity. Often used for patients in moderate to severe stages, and may be combined with the first group for enhanced management.
- Anti-Amyloid Therapy: A treatment targeting the direct reduction of beta-amyloid protein buildup in the brain to delay disease progression. This can be used in the pre-dementia or early dementia stages.
- Behavioral medication: For depression, anxiety, or insomnia, the doctor may prescribe neurological or mood-stabilizing medications to reduce confusion and agitation.
2. Non-Pharmacological Treatment and Cognitive Rehabilitation
Brain rehabilitation through occupational therapy is essential for long-term Alzheimer’s treatment management.
- Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Using group activities or specific exercises to stimulate the analytical, memory, and language comprehension areas of the brain, such as picture-guessing games or Reminiscence Therapy.
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): Delivering electromagnetic waves to stimulate brain cells in memory-related areas to improve neural network function.
- Physical therapy: Exercise focusing on balance and neuromuscular coordination. This helps increase blood flow to the brain and reduces the risk of falls, which often occur in dementia patients.
- Sleep hygiene and diet: Poor quality sleep leads to higher amyloid protein buildup in the brain. Treating Sleep Apnea and focusing on diets like the Mediterranean diet are part of this integrated care.
Alzheimer‘s Patient Care and Home Environment Arrangement
The core of the care plan is understanding and proper supervision. Family members can help organize the living environment to reduce confusion as follows:
- Keep items in place: Always keeping items in the same location helps the patient remember and use them easily.
- Consistent routines: Doing activities at the same time every day to build familiarity and comfort.
- Protected environment: Installing grab bars in bathrooms, leveling floors, and adding sufficient lighting.
- Location tracking devices: Having the patient carry contact numbers or a GPS device to prevent getting lost.
How to Prevent Alzheimer‘s in Daily Life
Although genetics is an uncontrollable factor, we can start preventing this condition today by adjusting our lifestyle. Here are basic prevention methods everyone can practice:
- Choose your diet: Focus on Mediterranean-style diets such as leafy greens, fish, berries, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods.
- Regular brain exercises: Read books, play brain games, or learn skills to build improved connections between nerve cells.
- Physical activity: Do aerobic exercise for at least 150 minutes per week to increase blood flow to the brain.
- Brain health checkups: Getting early screenings and personally monitoring for warning signs is a suitable prevention method, especially for those aged 60 and over.
Doctor Specializing in Alzheimer’s Treatment
Dr. Chaisak Dumrikarnlert, Neurologist specializing in memory disorders, Neuroscience Center, Memory Clinic, Bangkok International Hospital (Brain x Bone).
Hospital Specializing in Alzheimer’s Treatment
The Brain and Nervous System Center at Bangkok International Hospital (Brain x Bone) provides diagnosis and care for patients with technology according to JCI standards. Medical professionals with specific skills are available to provide prevention guidelines and deliver quality care to maintain a good quality of life for you and your loved ones.
- Find a Doctor: https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/bangkok/doctor
- Make an Appointment: https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/bangkok/appointment/step1
- Contact Us: https://www.bangkokhospital.com/en/bangkok/contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Alzheimer‘s be resolved, and how long is the life expectancy?
Currently, there is no way to make it disappear completely, but treatments help delay deterioration and manage behavioral symptoms. The timeframe depends on the care and physical condition of each patient.
Do vitamins or Alzheimer‘s prevention diets really help?
Good nutrition helps nourish brain cells and reduces risk factors from cerebrovascular disease, which supports prevention efforts better than not controlling your diet at all.
If frequent forgetfulness begins, how should one start preventing Alzheimer‘s?
You should consult a doctor for a risk screening and begin lifestyle adjustments, such as regular exercise and practicing analytical thinking activities.
At what age is it ideal to start preventing Alzheimer‘s?
This can be done starting in early adulthood. Controlling underlying health conditions and quitting smoking and alcohol are vital long-term prevention methods.
What is the difference between general dementia and Alzheimer‘s?
Dementia is a broad group of symptoms, whereas Alzheimer‘s is a specific disease that is a highly frequent cause of dementia, characterized by a slow and continuous destruction of brain cells.
