Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain disorder that causes memory loss and other problems with thinking, learning and behavior. It’s caused by a build-up of abnormal proteins called amyloid and tau in and around the brain cells.
People with Alzheimer’s disease may also have changes in mood and personality. These can include agitation, delusions and depression.
That cause alzheimer
Alzheimer’s Disease is a brain disorder that causes problems with memory and thinking. It is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that affect the brain over time.
Older age is the biggest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Almost 1 in 20 people aged 65 or older has the disease, and about one-third of those who are 85 or older have it.
Scientists don’t know exactly why older people develop Alzheimer’s disease, but they are finding that the condition may be related to changes in the brain that occur as you get older. These changes can damage neurons, or brain cells, and cause a series of toxic events that lead to the death of these brain cells.
Another possible cause of Alzheimer’s disease is the buildup of plaques and tangles in the brain. These tangles are created when the protein tau fails to function normally in a brain cell. This leads to a variety of problems, including disrupting the transport system that carries nutrients and other materials to the cell.
It is thought that the buildup of these tangles also contributes to other types of brain disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Tangles are believed to disrupt the normal work of the brain’s neurons and cause their cells to die.
Having a family history of Alzheimer’s is also an important risk factor. If you have a first-degree relative (a parent or sibling) who has Alzheimer’s, your chances of developing the disease are higher than those without a family history of the illness.
Some people with a family history of the illness have inherited a gene that puts them at a higher risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. These rare occurrences are called APOE e2 alleles.
Other research suggests that a number of other factors can affect the development of Alzheimer’s disease, though scientists don’t fully understand what they are. For example, drinking large amounts of alcohol has been linked to brain changes that can contribute to dementia. Other risk factors include poor sleep habits and smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke.
Signs of alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a serious brain condition that affects people 65 and older. It is characterized by changes in the brain that cause memory loss and other mental problems. The condition is a progressive disorder, meaning that symptoms get worse over time.
Forgetfulness is one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s. People with this condition often forget recent events, names, and faces — and this can happen suddenly or over time. They also need more help doing everyday tasks. They may use reminder notes or electronic devices for things they used to do on their own.
Another sign of Alzheimer’s is confusion about time and place. They may forget the day of the week, which season they’re in or where they are. They might wander from their home and not know how to get back. They might also be confused about money. They may give large amounts of money to telemarketers or pay for home repairs they don’t need.
Symptoms can begin a decade or more before someone develops dementia. This stage of the disease is called preclinical Alzheimer’s.
The early stages of Alzheimer’s can be a little confusing for family members and friends to recognize, because they can feel like normal age-related changes. These changes might include having trouble remembering recent events, asking the same questions repeatedly or using reminder notes or electronic devices for daily tasks.
It’s important to make an appointment with a doctor if these symptoms occur. Your doctor can do a physical exam and order tests to check for other conditions that might be causing the memory issues.
They might also do a mental status exam or neuropsychological testing to assess memory and other thinking skills. This can help determine if the problem is caused by Alzheimer’s or other health conditions.
These tests can also help find out if the person is showing other symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as trouble speaking or swallowing. If they are, the doctor might prescribe medication to treat those problems.
Many medications have been found to help slow the rate of cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease. These include donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl) and rivastigmine (Exelon). These medicines prevent the breakdown of chemicals in the brain, which are thought to be important for memory and thinking. They are available in both brand and generic forms.
Treatment for alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes the death of nerve cells. This happens over time as tiny deposits, known as plaques and tangles, build up on and within the nerve cells. These clumps and tangles block the communication between nerve cells, preventing them from functioning properly.
Doctors prescribe medications to treat the symptoms of AD and to help improve quality of life. These include medicines to increase levels of acetylcholine, the brain’s chemical messenger, and other medicines that can ease memory loss, confusion and altered thinking processes.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are a class of drugs that may improve cognitive symptoms in some people with Alzheimer’s disease. They work by improving neural communication across the brain, slowing the progression of these symptoms and reducing depression.
Other treatments for the symptoms of Alzheimer’s are currently in clinical trials, such as a drug called lecanemab (Aricept). This medicine clears amyloid plaques from the brain, which could slow down the disease.
It’s important to get a diagnosis as early as possible so you and your family can plan ahead. This includes thinking about financial planning, developing advance care planning documents and enrolling in a clinical trial.
Getting an early diagnosis can also allow you to begin talking with your doctor about the best treatment for you, so that your needs and those of your family can be addressed as soon as possible. In some cases, the right treatment can help keep you active and improve your quality of life.
You and your family can learn more about the different kinds of medications available for Alzheimer’s by contacting your local Alzheimer’s Association affiliate. They can connect you with support groups, health care providers, occupational therapists, resources and referrals, home care agencies, residential care facilities, a telephone help line, and educational seminars.
Having a partner or close friend go with you to appointments is helpful, as they can answer questions and offer emotional support. They can also act as a reminder to talk with the doctor about any concerns and expectations for treatment.
How to prevent alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain and causes changes that can cause memory loss, thinking problems, and other symptoms. Luckily, there are several things you can do to lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
First, make sure you stay physically active and eat a healthy diet. Both of these can help improve brain function and reduce your risk of developing dementia.
You can also get regular checkups and screenings to catch Alzheimer’s at its earliest stages. These screenings can be done with a simple blood test or an exam of the head.
The earlier you find out about your Alzheimer’s disease, the sooner treatment can start to slow down the progression. Getting care early can lead to a better quality of life for you and your loved one, as well as more time to enjoy the things that matter most.
Another way to prevent Alzheimer’s is to avoid aging-related conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. If you have these conditions, you can try adjusting your medication to prevent them from worsening.
Finally, you can reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s by staying alert and learning about the latest medical news. You can also talk to your doctor about ways you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid age-related health risks, such as diabetes or depression.
In some people, Alzheimer’s is caused by a genetic mutation (change in a gene). This type of inheritance is called familial Alzheimer’s. In this case, a person’s family members will experience symptoms of Alzheimer’s at a younger age than other people.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, talk to your doctor about it. The chances of you getting the disease increase if you have a first-degree relative, such as your parent or sibling, who has the condition.
You can also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by having a healthy weight and eating a balanced diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains is beneficial for your health.
You can also add moderate amounts of weight and resistance training to your exercise routine. These workouts can build muscle, which helps keep your brain strong.
