Occasionally forgetting where you left your car or scooter keys or being unable to recall the name of a distant acquaintance are normal memory lapses. However, frequent spells of forget ting names and places or repeating stories, phrases and questions in the same conversation along with confusion and irritability could be early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a form of progressive dementia which destroys the cells in the brain, causing it to shrink. There are different stages of Alzheimer's which can take years or decades to progress. However, recent research has found that there are many lifestyle changes that can prevent, delay or alter the course of the disease.
At a meeting of American Academy of Neurology, Dr Rajan Duara from Mount Sinai Medical Center in Florida, presented a study where individuals over the age of 60 with a high-risk gene for Alzheimer's studied.
Those who were heavy drinkers (more than two drinks a day) developed Alzheimer's five years earlier than others. Also, those who were heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes per day) developed Alzheimer's five years earlier than others. Also, those who ware heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes per day) developed Alzheimer's two years earlier.
These findings led Dr Duara to say, "It's possible that if we can reduce or eliminate heavy smoking and drinking, we could substantially delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease for people and reduce the number of people who have Alzheimer's at any point in time" Such a delay is significant. Because even a five-year stalling of Alzheimer's would lead to nearly a 50 % reduction in the total number of Alzheimer's cases.
In India, the burden of Alzheimer's is significantly less than that in the West. Among adults in their 70s , the rate of Alzheimer's is 4.4 times lower than that of the United States. Reasons for this low er rate are unclear. Some suspect it may be the under-recognition of the disease or a delay in seeking medical care. However, others contend it may be the spices in the Indian diet which may be protective. Studies have found that curcumin, an ingredient found in turmeric (haldi), reduces the tangling of brain cells and breaks up existing plaques in experimental models of mice. It is thought that this protective effect of turmeric may be partially responsible for a lower Alzheimer's rate in India. Whatever the reason, it is important to realise that simple lifestyle changes such as a good diet, physical and mental exercises along with reduced alcohol intake and cessation of smoking can alter our risk of an incurable and devastating disease of the mind.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease
A type of dementia, Alzheimer's affects the memory, thinking and behaviour of those who have it. After a certain point, the symptoms become so severe that they interfere with daily activities.
Understanding Alzheimer's and dementia
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily activities. A staggering 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Ageing does not cause Alzheimer's- Increased age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Most Alzheimer's patients are 65 and older. An individual diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease is under the age of 65. Alzheimer's disease with a younger onset is also known as Alzheimer's disease with an early onset. In the early, middle, or late stages of the disease, people with younger-onset Alzheimer's can be diagnosed.
Alzheimer's worsens over time- Memory loss symptoms gradually worsen over time with Alzheimer's disease, which is a progressive disease. Late-stage Alzheimer's causes individuals to lose the ability to converse and respond to their environment. Among Americans, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer Depending on other factors, a person with Alzheimer's disease lives on average 4 to 8 years after their diagnosis.
Alzheimer's has no cure- The first treatment to show that removing amyloid, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, from the brain can reduce cognitive and functional decline in people with early Alzheimer's is aducanumab (Aduhelm). The quality of life for those with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers can be improved temporarily by other treatments. In the present day, there is a worldwide effort underway to find better ways to treat, delay and prevent the disease.
Symptoms of Alzheimer's
In the early stages of Alzheimer's, difficulty remembering newly learned information is the most common symptom.
Our brains change as we age, just like the rest of our bodies. Most of us eventually become aware of sluggish thinking and memory problems. Brain cells may be failing if we experience memory loss, confusion, and other major changes in the way our minds function.
Learning-related changes in the brain are usually the first to be affected by Alzheimer's disease. Disorientation, mood and behaviour changes, as well as confusion about events, time and place, as well as unfounded suspicions about family, friends and caregivers, increase in memory loss and behavioural changes, as well as difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking, are all symptoms that worsen as Alzheimer's disease progresses through the brain.
Memory loss and other possible Alzheimer's symptoms can make it difficult for people to recognise that they have a problem. In some cases, family members or close friends may be more aware of the signs of dementia. A doctor should be consulted as soon as possible by anyone who is experiencing symptoms that resemble dementia. To find a doctor with experience evaluating memory problems, contact the Alzheimer's Association in your area for assistance. Diagnosis and intervention methods are improving dramatically, as are treatment options and sources of support.
Alzheimer's and the brain
Memory loss is preceded by microscopic changes in the brain that begin long before the first signs appear.
The brain is made up of 100 billion neurons (neurons). Each nerve cell forms a communication network by connecting to many others. Neuronal cells are organised into groups that perform specific functions. Thinking, learning, and remembering are a few of the functions performed by some of them. Others assist us in seeing, hearing, and smelling things.
The brain's cells operate like tiny factories to accomplish their tasks. As well as receiving supplies, they also generate energy, build equipment, and dispose of waste products. Additionally, cells are also capable of processing, storing, and exchanging information with other cells. As well as fuel and oxygen, coordination is required to keep everything running.
Science believes Alzheimer's disease interferes with a cell's factory, causing parts of it to malfunction. It is unclear where the problem began. But, just as in a real factory, backups and breakdowns in one system can cause problems in other areas. As the damage spreads, cells lose their ability to function and eventually die, causing irreversible brain changes.
The role of plaques and tangles
Two abnormal structures, plaques and tangles, are suspected of causing nerve cell damage and death.
1. 'Plaques' are deposits of beta-amyloid, a protein fragment that builds up between nerve cells.
2. Inside cells, a protein called tau (which rhymes with "wow") twists into tangles.
As we age, most people develop plaques and tangles, but those with Alzheimer's tend to develop a greater number of them in a predictable pattern, starting in memory-related areas before spreading to other regions.
In Alzheimer's disease, plaques and tangles play a role that is not fully understood by scientists. Researchers believe they play a role in blocking nerve cell communication and disrupting processes necessary for cell survival.
Memory loss, personality changes, difficulties with daily activities, and other symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are caused by the death and destruction of nerve cells.
Research and progress
The German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer described "a peciliar disease" in 1906, which we now know as Alzheimer's disease.
In biomedical research, Alzheimer's disease is at the forefront today. Many Alzheimer's disease and other dementia researchers are working to uncover every aspect of the disease. Most significant advances have been made in understanding how Alzheimer's disease affects the brain. Better understanding is expected to lead to new treatments. Around the world, many potential approaches are currently being investigated.