Alzheimer’s Disease is an illness that gradually destroys nerve cells in the brain. It can cause memory loss, personality changes and problems with everyday tasks such as eating, bathing or driving.
Alzheimer’s is caused by abnormal clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd) and tangles of a protein called tau that build up inside nerve cells. It’s thought these clumps and tangles interfere with communication between brain cells.
That cause alzheimer
Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia that affects memory and other thinking skills. It occurs when brain cells (neurons) are damaged. Experts aren’t sure what causes the damage, but they think it’s a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.
Alzheimer’s is rare among people under 65, but it can occur in middle age or older, especially if you have certain risk factors. Those risk factors include family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, head injury and diabetes.
Familial Alzheimer’s is a rare form of the disease, usually caused by inherited changes in genes that cause the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. This type of dementia makes up less than 1% of all cases of Alzheimer’s, but it often begins in people’s 30s or 40s.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s can vary from person to person. They can range from a small loss of memory to difficulty performing basic tasks, including paying bills and remembering where things are in the house. They can also include problems with speech and language.
Researchers are trying to understand the chemical changes that cause Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. They think that brain proteins fail to work properly, disrupting the functioning of neurons in the brain. This can cause brain cells to break down and die.
In some people, this can be due to a particular change in a gene called the APOE e4 gene. About 25% to 30% of the population carries this gene, which increases their risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Other risk factors for Alzheimer’s are age, race and gender. Women tend to have a higher risk than men, while black and Latino people have about double the risk.
If you have Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you may be able to take medication that helps reduce the symptoms of your condition. These medicines can be used to treat things like agitation, restlessness, confusion and depression. They can be given as needed, but they can sometimes have unpleasant side effects and are typically only prescribed for a short time when other non-drug therapies aren’t working.
Signs of alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that causes loss of memory and other thinking skills. It’s one of the most common diseases affecting older people. The disease progresses over time and affects everyone differently. The cause of the disease isn’t known, but there are several factors that increase your risk.
Age is a major risk factor. Studies have shown that the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every 5 years after you reach 65. You also have a greater risk of developing dementia if you have certain medical conditions or have been exposed to harmful substances like alcohol, HIV or drugs.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s may be difficult to detect, because they can seem like normal changes that occur with aging. For example, you might notice your loved one putting things in unusual places or forgetting important dates. But if they don’t have any family members around and these problems aren’t going away, you should see their doctor as soon as possible to make sure there is no underlying problem.
Another sign of Alzheimer’s is that people often get confused about the day of the week and can’t remember where they are or how they got there. They can also have trouble understanding how to read, drive or handle complex tasks.
Changes in a person’s personality can be a sign of Alzheimer’s as well. They might lose interest in activities that they once enjoyed or become withdrawn. Mood and behavior changes can include a loss of interest in friends or family, depression, irritability or difficulty sleeping.
Dementia-like symptoms can be very uncomfortable for your loved one, but it is crucial to seek professional help. Taking medication to manage these symptoms can help.
Some medications work by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that’s important for memory and thought processes. Others work by supporting the communication between nerve cells.
For many people, these medications can reduce or even prevent some of the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s. However, they can’t stop the disease from worsening and can have side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness and confusion.
Treatment for alzheimer’s disease
There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, but there are medications available to slow the symptoms of this disease and make life easier for people who have it. Medications can also help people cope with the psychological effects of dementia. These include mood and agitation problems, sleep disturbances, hallucinations and delusions.
Some of these drugs help brain cells to communicate more effectively, called neurotransmitters. Some of them help to increase levels of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that’s important for memory and learning. Others help to regulate the activity of glutamate, another neurotransmitter that’s also important for cognitive function.
The FDA has approved five drugs to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: Aricept (Renogest), Exelon (Esketamine), Namenda (Symmetrel), Namzaric (Galantamine) and Razadyne (Rivastigmine). They work by blocking the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which destroys acetylcholine.
These medications are given as a pill, an extended-release capsule or a skin patch. They can be used by older adults and children with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.
A new medication, aducanumab, has received accelerated approval by the FDA and is currently in clinical trials. It may help reduce amyloid deposits in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s symptoms.
This drug may be beneficial for patients in the early stages of the disease, but it has only been tested in very few people with the condition. Aducanumab, injected every two weeks, is the first medication in decades to target amyloid deposits.
It was also found to slow cognitive and functional decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients, compared with those who took a placebo. It also showed a very strong reduction in amyloid plaques that accumulate between brain neurons.
If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it is important to discuss the different treatment options with your doctor. This will help you to decide what is best for you and your family.
Your doctor will also be able to help you find support groups and information about non-drug therapies. These therapies can be very useful for people who are feeling depressed or anxious and may improve their quality of life. They are often attended by other people who have the same diagnosis, and they can help you to cope better with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
How to prevent alzheimer’s disease
While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, research shows that certain lifestyle changes can help protect your brain. These include limiting smoking, drinking less alcohol and exercising regularly.
Diet is a crucial part of preventing Alzheimer’s and related dementias, because eating the right foods can help keep your brain healthy. Eat a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats. Limit saturated fats, trans fats, added sugars and sodium.
It’s also a good idea to avoid sugary beverages, especially sodas and energy drinks. High sugar intake can lead to dramatic spikes in blood sugar, which can wreak havoc on your brain.
Those with diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, because insulin resistance in the body can cause damage to the nerve cells of the brain and hinder communication between them. Eating a low-sugar, high-protein diet can reduce your risk of developing this condition and other types of dementia.
Exercise is another important part of a healthy, well-balanced diet and can have a positive effect on your brain health. Try to get a minimum of 30 minutes a day of exercise and try to do it several times each week.
Studies have shown that a healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia by up to 50%. A heart-healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and protein will also reduce your risk of obesity, which has been linked to an increased risk of these diseases.
Many of the other risk factors that have been associated with Alzheimer’s are also influenced by your health and lifestyle habits. For example, smoking, being overweight, not getting enough physical activity, and having a family history of the condition are all risk factors for developing this disease.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s, talk to your doctor about the risks of the disease and how you can protect yourself. This will give you a chance to discuss your options for treatment and planning for your future.
Until further studies prove the effectiveness of these and other preventive measures, it is best to focus on improving your health in ways that have been proven to help lower your chances of getting Alzheimer’s disease. A healthy diet, a balanced exercise routine, and regular sleep will all help to ensure that you have a long, happy and healthy life.
