Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder that degenerates the brain cells and eventually leads in their destruction. It is the most common form of dementia- a state where the affected person loses the ability to think, the decline in behavioral and social skills that interrupt the person functioning independently.
Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-70% of the dementia cases say the Alzheimer’s Association. So far, there is no cure found for Alzheimer’s. However, the treatment can slow down the progression of this disease. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Alzheimer’s is the 6th most common cause of death among U.S. adults.
It usually occurs in people aging more than 65 and is more likely for women to have it than men.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease:
The behavior and symptoms of Alzheimer’s can worsen over time. They include:
- Memory Loss
- Facing difficulty in problem-solving
- A decrease of Personal Hygiene
- Change of Mood & Personality
- Trouble in writing and speech
- Repetition of statements and questions again and again
The Stages of Alzheimer’s:
As informed earlier Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease and worsens stage by stage.
Stage 1: There are no symptoms identified in this stage, however, there will be an early diagnosis based on the history of the family.
Stage 2: In this stage, we see that the patient has difficulty in remembering.
Stage 3: We notice mild physical and mental impairments such as low concentration and reduced memory.
Stage 4: In this stage, memory loss and inability to perform. Very often Alzheimer’s is diagnosed at this stage.
Stage 5: The patient will require help from others to perform their tasks like eating and wearing clothes.
Stage 6: This is the last stage, which involves loss of facial expressions and speech.
Medication/Treatment for Alzheimer’s:
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, a doctor might perform a few tests like neurological, mental, imaging and physical to determine the diagnosis.
After diagnosis, the doctor might recommend medications, but these are only to ease up the symptoms and delay in progression of the disease.
Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease:
The Researchers are working towards in finding new methodologies and ways to treat Alzheimer’s. They have mentioned that improving the overall health and lifestyle might help in preventing the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
The following measures might help in one or other ways to prevent Alzheimer’s:
- Maintenance of Active Social life.
- Regular Exercises.
- Cognitive Exercises
- Consumption of Anti-Oxidants
- Eating a lot of plant-based food.
