Alzheimer's
disease is a progressive disease which destroys cognitive abilities beyond
repair. It wreaks havoc with memory and other mental functions. Early signs
could be forgetfulness, confusion and feeling lost. Difficulty in remembering,
recognizing and undergoing personality changes, are eventual effects.
Alzheimer's progresses finally into a complete devolution of a person, with no
memory of their life or loved ones and failure to function as a well rounded
human being.
Alzheimer's
disease is considered a primary cause of dementia. It results
into loss of mental, intellectual, physical as well as social skills. A steady
deterioration in the functioning of a patient's brain is very common. Depletion
and degeneration of neurons continues until the patient is a vacant shell;
completely helpless and dependent.
Several
factors contribute to development of Alzheimer's. A genetically passed disease,
many a time, Alzheimer's is also caused due to certain epigenetic or
environmental factors, as well as adherence to a conducive lifestyle.
Plaques
are clumps of beta-amyloid, a protein that develops in the brain and actively
decimates brain cells. Plaques are notorious for destroying normal brain
functioning and are widely suspected to be the main cause of Alzheimer's.
Brain
cells have a network, a nexus and synapses that transmit messages and transport
nutrients, thus ensuring healthy functioning of the brain with the help of tau,
an essential protein. Sometimes threads of tau can get knotted and intertwined,
creating tangles. These tangles act as obstacles in the path of the messages
and nutrients, blocking the transport system. Failure of this system invariably
causes brain cells to perish. These knots, or more commonly 'tangles' are also
considered to play an important role in the obliteration of brain cells.
The
risk of Alzheimer's is very real. Certain demographics have more to worry about
than others. Risk is higher due to -
1)
Age - Early onset is not unheard of, but, Alzheimer's usually strikes at an
older age.
2)
Family history and genetics - Alzheimer's is a hereditary mental illness and
can be passed on from one generation to the next. Get a checkup done to find
out if you have the gene, if either one of your parents suffers from
Alzheimer's.
3)
Down Syndrome - A purported precursor to Alzheimer's, many people with Down
syndrome are likely to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's at a later stage.
4)
Sex - Women are more prone to Alzheimer's than men.
5)
Lifestyle - Lack of exercise, obesity,
excessive smoking or prolonged and frequent exposure to second hand smokes, hypertension,
cholesterol, negligence in treating diabetes, as well as a poor diet are all
lifestyle choices that raise the chances of getting Alzheimer's.
The
best way to reduce the risk is to engage in as many mentally, intellectually as
well as socially stimulating activities through your life. This in no way will
ensure that you keep clear of the illness. However, it will certainly cut the
chances. A brain that is constantly worked out and stimulated is less likely to
diminish to a dysfunctional state.
Diagnosis
of Alzheimer's is not easy. Some of the early symptoms are –
·
Regularly forgetting recent
events, names and faces.
·
Becoming increasingly
repetitive, e.g. repeating questions after a very short interval.
·
Regularly misplacing items or
putting them in odd places.
·
Uncertainty about the date or
time of day.
·
A person becoming unsure of
their whereabouts or getting lost, particularly in unusual surroundings.
·
Problems finding the right
words.
·
Becoming low in mood, anxious
or irritable, losing self-confidence or showing less interest in what’s
happening.
As
Alzheimer's progresses, symptoms get worse and get exacerbates.
·
People find that their ability to remember, think and make
decisions worsens.
·
Communication and language become more difficult.
·
People may have difficulty recognizing household objects or
familiar faces.
·
Day-to-day tasks become harder, for example using a TV remote
control, phone or kitchen appliance. People may also have difficulty locating
objects in front of them.
·
Changes in sleep patterns often occur.
·
Some people become sad, depressed or frustrated about the
challenges they face. Anxieties are also common and people may seek extra
reassurance or become fearful or suspicious.
·
People may experience hallucinations, where they may see things
or people that aren’t there.
·
People may become increasingly unsteady on their feet and are at
greater risk of falling.
·
Daily activities like dressing and eating become more difficult,
and people gradually require more help.
Even though a cure is
not available, treatments in form of drugs and medication can help relieve and
even delay some of the symptoms.
Cholinesterase
inhibitors provide a dose of a neurotransmitter which is depleted when the
brain cells start dying at the onslaught of Alzheimer's. This neurotransmitter
is called acetylcholine. Some of the commonly prescribed drugs include
donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine. Some side-effects that a patient might
suffer from are lack of sleep and loss of appetite.
Another treatment is
prescription of memantine. This drug also opens up an alternative transport
network between the brain cells, facilitating transfer of nutrients and other
messages. Some of the side-effects are dizziness,
drowsiness, constipation and headache among others.
Some doctors also
prescribe anti-depressants to control the patient's erratic moods and irascible
behavioral patterns. Anti-anxiety medicines are also prescribed at times to
calm the patient down.
More important than all
medication however, is extending love, support and appropriate care to the
person suffering from Alzheimer's. It is important to create an environment
they can thrive in. It is also crucial to be patient and kind towards a person
suffering from Alzheimer's. Several logistical and infrastructural amenities
can be provided to make life generally pleasant and many times easier for a
person with this disease.
It is also important to
ensure that the diet of the patient is nutrient rich and healthy. Several
supplementary vitamins are recommended. Apart from this, many exercises for the
brain as well as the body can help the patient.
At the end of the day, there is no alternative
to love and care of one's dear and near ones. Caregivers have a big
responsibility on their shoulders and support groups are recommended for them
to be able to relieve stress, thus offering better and more efficient care
for the patient.
