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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells, or neurons especially in the cerebral cortex, resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioural changes. A degenerative brain disease of unknown cause that is the most common form of dementia or loss of intellectual function, is generally found among people aged 65 and older. A common form of dementia of unknown cause, begin in late middle age, characterized by progressive memory loss and mental deterioration associated with brain damage. A disease marked by the loss of cognitive ability, generally over a period of 10 to 15 years and associated with the development of abnormal tissues and protein deposits in the cerebral cortex. Alzheimer's disease is a condition in which nerve cells in the brain die, making it difficult for the brain's signals to be transmitted properly. Alzheimer’s symptoms may be hard to distinguish early on. A person with Alzheimer's disease has problems with memory, judgment, and thinking, which makes it hard for the person to work or take part in day-to-day life. The death of the nerve cells occurs gradually over a period of years.
Causes
Like all types of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease which results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect progressive brain cell death over a course of time.
Although the causes of Alzheimer's are not yet fully understood, its effect on the brain is clear. Alzheimer's disease damages and kills brain cells. A brain affected by Alzheimer's disease has many fewer cells and many fewer connections among surviving cells than does a healthy brain. As more and more brain cells die, Alzheimer's leads to significant brain shrinkage.
Plaques: These clumps of a protein called β-amyloid may damage and destroy brain cells in several ways, including interfering with cell-to-cell communication. Although the ultimate cause of brain-cell death in Alzheimer's is not known, the collection of β-amyloid on the outside of brain cells is a prime suspect.
Tangles: Brain cells depend on an internal support and transport system to carry nutrients and other essential materials throughout their long extensions. This system requires the normal structure and functioning of a protein called tau.
Loss of nerve cell connections: The tangles and plaques cause neurons to lose their connection to one another and die off.
Types of AD
Early onset AD: Symptoms appear before age 60. This type is much less common than late onset. However, it tends to get worse quickly. Early onset disease can run in families. Several genes have been identified.
Late onset AD: This is the most common type. It occurs in people after age 60 and older. It may run in some families, but the role of genes is less clear.
Symptoms
In most people with Alzheimer's, the disease progresses slowly, usually over a number of years. Dementia symptoms include difficulty with many areas of mental function, including: Emotional behaviour or personality.
Common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
Impaired memory and thinking: The person has difficulty in remembering things or learning new information. In the later stages of the disease, long-term memory loss occurs, the person cannot remember personal information, such as place of birth or occupation, or names of close family members. Forgetting details about current events and forgetting events of own life history.
Disorientation and confusion: People with Alzheimer's disease may get lost when out on their own and may not be able to remember where they are or how they got there. They may not recognize previously familiar places and situations. They also may not recognize familiar faces or know what time of the day it is, or even what year it is.
Misplacing items: The person forgets where they put items used every day, such as glasses, a hearing aid, keys etc. The person may also put things in strange places, such as leaving their glasses in the refrigerator.
Abstract thinking: Difficulty performing tasks that take some thought, but used to come easily, such as balancing a check book, playing complex games (such as bridge), and learning new information or routines.
Trouble performing familiar tasks: Difficulty in performing basic tasks, such as preparing meals, choosing proper clothing, grooming and driving. Planning for normal day-to-day tasks are also impaired.
Hallucinations, arguments, striking out, and violent behaviour: The person becomes unusually angry, irritable, restless, or quiet. At times, people with Alzheimer's disease can become confused, paranoid, or fearful.
Poor or decreased judgment: People with Alzheimer's disease may leave the house on a cold day without a coat or shoes or could go to the store wearing pajamas.
Treatment
Although there is no cure, Alzheimer's medications can temporarily slow the worsening of symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved five medications (listed below) to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Exercise: Regular exercise has known benefits for heart health and may also help prevent cognitive decline. Exercise may also help improve mood.
Nutrition: People with Alzheimer's may forget to eat, lose interest in preparing meals or not eat a healthy combination of foods. They may also forget to drink enough water, leading to dehydration and constipation.
Prevention
Although there is no proven way to prevent alzheimer's disease, there are some practices that may be worth incorporating into daily routine, particularly with family history of dementia.
Consume a low-fat diet, eat cold- water fish (like tuna, salmon and mackerel) rich in omega -3 fatty acids, at least 2 to 3 times per week, reduce intake of linoleic acid found in margarine, butter, and dairy products, increase antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamin E and vitamin C by eating plenty of darkly coloured fruits and vegetables, maintain a normal blood pressure and stay mentally and socially active throughout life.
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