What is Alzheimer’s disease?
This is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain cells to shrink and the brain cells start dying .This is a very common form of dementia or memory loss happens in people above 45 years of age. Approximately 5% of the population above 65 years suffer from a memory issue. This rises to approximately 80% in people above 80 years of age.
Signs and symptoms of the disease:
People who suffer from this condition may have
- Delayed recall: Patients have difficulty to remember the information that they had acquired in the past.
- Short term and long term memory both are affected.
- Decline in social skills
- Repeat the same questions again and again
- Misplace routine things , possessions
- Trouble finding right words to describe an object or a person
- Depression
- Anxiety due to forgetfulness
- At times patients become aggressive
- The ability to function independently is reduced
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Delusions
What are the possible of Alzheimer’s?
- Age : Higher age group people are at a higher risk
- Genetic predisposition: If a person has his first relatives who got affected from the disease, then the chances for him increases as well.
- Women are more affected than men
- Any trauma or injury involving the head region
- A bad sleep routine
- People who consume alcohol regularly are at higher risk
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Obesity
Complications of Alzheimer’s disease:
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease and whenever it reaches it last stages , the damage in the brain can start affecting the physical functions as well such as balance ,bladder and bowel control , eating etc. Patient could be more prone to:
- Pneumonia
- Fractures
- Bedsores
- Constipation or diarrhoea
Can you prevent the onset of this disease?
This is not a preventable condition as such. However a few lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of developing the disease:
- Regular sleep patterns
- Regular exercise
- Healthy diet : Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Management of diabetes , blood pressure
- Give up smoking and moderate the alcohol intake
- Taking up hobbies like dancing , music , reading etc that help in cognitive brain development
