Alzheimer’s: Not Just Forgetfulness
#UnderstandingAlzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is one of the most common causes of dementia. It is prevalent in people over 65 years old and its incidence doubles every 5 years as age increases.
Although common in the elderly, it is not a normal part of the aging process. Younger individuals can also develop this disease, though less frequently. It is more commonly found in women than men and tends to progress faster. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is believed to result from various factors combined, including certain genetic abnormalities, abnormal accumulation of a protein called amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to a slow and continuous degeneration of nerve cells.
It’s Not Just Forgetfulness
Patients initially experience memory loss to the extent they are aware of it themselves. They may ask the same questions repeatedly, talk about the same topics, get disoriented, experience stress, mood swings, and depression, but still communicate and perform daily activities. The key early symptom of Alzheimer’s patients is short-term memory loss, such as not remembering a conversation they just had, forgetting the names of places or objects, which is similar to natural memory decline in aging. However, as time goes on, the forgetfulness increases and other symptoms appear, such as difficulty with language use and understanding, planning, decision-making, behavioral and mood abnormalities, to the extent it affects daily life.
In later stages, symptoms become more pronounced, memory worsens further, and patients may wander aimlessly. Their behavior changes drastically, such as becoming irritable and aggressive from being calm, or becoming quiet and withdrawn from being hot-tempered. Over time, they may struggle with everyday tasks, like making coffee, using the TV remote or mobile phone, and may harbor irrational thoughts, such as thinking someone is coming to kill them or rob them.
Ultimately, patients deteriorate, become less responsive to their surroundings, their health declines akin to bedridden patients, they eat less, move less or not at all, become unable to care for themselves, widespread cognitive decline ensues, they stop speaking, their immunity weakens, often leading to infections and ultimately death.
Summary of Major Alzheimer’s Symptoms:
- Memory Impairment
- Language and Reasoning Impairment
- Mood and Personality Disorders
- Impact on Daily Life
However, the progression of the disease varies between individuals, with symptoms potentially fluctuating over time. The average duration with the disease is 3-10 years, but some cases last up to 20 years, depending on the stage at diagnosis and the overall baseline health of the patient.
Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
Since the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, prevention focuses on reducing risk factors that may contribute to the disease:
- Engage in activities that stimulate thinking, such as trying new recipes or new sports. Click here to download brain preservation games.
- Eat a balanced diet with all 5 food groups, and avoid foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- Exercise regularly.
- Be careful to prevent brain injuries and falls.
- Maintain good physical health, have regular check-ups, and monitor existing conditions; consult a specialist if symptoms occur.
Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. Treatment focuses on enhancing quality of life, reducing cognitive decline, and supporting patients in performing daily activities and socializing as much as possible.
With best wishes from,
Specialist in Neurology
Neurology Center | Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai
For more information, please contact:
Center of Excellence in Neurology
Tel: 052 089 888 or Call Center: 1719
“Open daily 08:00 – 16:00”
