Alzhiemer’s Disease is a common type of dementia. Its symptoms are not memory loss alone but involve behaviorial problems also. Undertanding and being aware of the disease will help lessen severeity of its progression.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease due to an abnormal structure of the brain cells because of Beta-amyloid and Tau proteins, resulting in deterioration of brain cells, memory loss and damages to other parts of the brain. It affects thinking ability as well as behavior skills, and has an impact on the daily life also.
Are you at risk of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is common among 60 – 80% of dementia sufferers. Patients in this group exhibit not only memory loss, but behavioral problems also. The condition starts with mild symptoms and progresses to dementia. So, if you are already experiencing behavioral and memory issues, you need to consult a specialist and find out about the risks of this disease.
- Initial noticeable signs include:
- Forgetfulness
- Difficulty remembering recent events
- Asking questions and making statements repeatedly
- Misplacing items and often becoming disoriented
- Cannot communicate, having trouble finding the right words or using the wrong words
- Short attention span, cannot concentrate
- Inability to manage, plan, solve problems or use reasoning
- Being paranoid, anxious, rude, depressed, discouraged, or lethargic
Risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease
Risk factors include:
- Being over 65 years old
- Excessive use of alcohol
- Smoking
- Having comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, cholesterol) and problems controlling blood pressure
- Insufficient sleep
- Experiencing depression
- Having severe brain injury
- Deafness or gradual hearing loss
- PM 2.5 – fine inhalable particles
- Being overweight
- Being reclusive, physical inactivity
How to diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease
If you are at risk of Alzheimer’s disease or are having its symptoms, you need to see a neurologist for additional tests such as:
- Detailed brain’s function screening
- Blood test to examine, for example, thyroid function and vitamin levels
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- PET scan for FDG, Amyloid, Tau
- Amyloid and Tau proteins test – this still is not fully recognized and is used mainly in researches
How to treat Alzheimer’s Disease
There are 2 types of treatments: medication and non-medication. These are as follows:
- Non-medication:
- Physical therapy
- Brain training
- Playing games
- Practicing self-reliance as much as possible
- Exercise, good sleep hygiene, all 5 food groups diet, maintaining a healthy weight, properly managing comorbidities, and treating hearing problems if any
- Medication: Must be evaluated and prescribed by a specialist.
- Drugs that slow down progression of dementia
- Drugs that help adjust behavioral symptoms such as confusion restlessness, mental disorder, insomnia, etc.
Neurologist Specialized in Alzhiemer’s Disease
Dr. Chaisak Dumrikarnlert, Neurologist specializes in behavioral neurology and dementia, Bone X Brain Hospital
Hospital Specialized in Alzhiemer’s Disease
Bone X Brain Hospital can help you determine the root cause and provide appropriate treatment together with rehabilitation, in order to protect you from Alzheimer’s disease. Our team of neurologists along with nurses and multidisciplinary medical professionals incorporates the latest available technology to help lessen severity of the disease, so our patients can live their lives smoothly.
