Lovejuice Minnow Promotion // What do you know about Alzheimer's disease? by @JiaFui
What do you know about Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer’s disease vs Dementia??
They are two different terms. Before we talk about Alzheimer’s disease, let’s look at what is dementia first. Dementia can be caused by many diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Parkinson’s disease with dementia. **Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common causes of dementia.
So, what is dementia?
Dementia is a group of symptoms marked by memory loss, and difficulties with thinking, problem solving and language. In shorts, dementia is decline in cognitive function. It is increasingly prevalent due to overall aging populations in the world and increased life expectancy. In the US, 13% of those 65 years old and above, and 43% of those aged 85 and above. In Malaysia, it is estimated at around 6% of those aged 60 and above.
The following are the risk factors of getting Alzheimer’s disease:
- Age
- Previous head trauma
- Metabolic syndrome
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Family history
The causes of Alzheimer’s Disease
It is believed that genetics play a significant role in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Genetics resulting in abnormal processing of amyloid precursor protein and overproduction of β-amyloid. Apolipoprotein E-4 will also increase the deposition of β-amyloid. β-amyloid will lead to overproduction of plaques, causing neuronal death through apoptosis, direct toxicity, and oxidative and metabolic stress. All these damages of the brain will lead to loss of function of brain, thus resulting in Alzheimer’s disease.
Apart from this, neuronal change is another likely cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Neuritic plaques and the associated neurofibrillary tangles may cause brain atrophy (degeneration of brain), thus leading
to Alzheimer’s disease.
Another possible cause of Alzheimer’s disease is a decrease in enzyme and neurotransmitter activity. For your information, neurotransmitter is chemical messenger that communicate information throughout our brain and the body. A decline in neurotransmitter such as choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase will decrease cholinergic transmission, thus reduction in cognitive function of brain.
Alright, enough of the science. Let’s go back to the signs and symptoms of dementia.
Signs & symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
Difficult to learn or retain new information - This is the most common symptoms and usually the first sign noticed. He/she may forget our recent conversations, loses or misplaced items and repeat questions for many times.
Unable to handle complex task - Dementia patients may no longer be able to handle complex task. Work or task that he/she used to find it easy may suddenly become a very complex task.
Impaired reasoning – Dementia patients may have an altered or inappropriate social behaviour.
Impaired spatial orientation – Dementia patients may tend to get lost or disorientated easily. He/she may forget the location he/she is currently at and today’s date more frequent than usual people.
Language deficits – Dementia patients may have problem finding appropriate words for everyday objects as well.
Behavioural changes – Do not be surprised that dementia patients have an altered personality.
To diagnosed dementia, appropriate history from caregivers and patients is necessary. Medical history, past medication history as well as physical examination is helpful in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. Laboratory tests should also be done to differentiate dementia from other disorders. In addition, brain imaging including computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease too.
It is of utmost essential to recognize and diagnose Alzheimer’s disease as early as possible.
The goal of treating Alzheimer’s disease is to maintain dependence for as long as possible.
It is sad to say that the treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is only to slow down the progress of the disease, patient’s condition become worsen eventually. Patient will eventually loss the ability to take care of himself/herself. The family members of patients need to be educated properly about the realistic expectations of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.
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My partner works with the elderly, she is a career and a lot suffer from either dementia or AD. She is so tough and amazing, I really couldn't do what she does.
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I'm not sure I have anything meaningful to say about Alzheimer's Disease, but I've been helping a friend compile a book about her husband's struggle with this disease, and so I stopped to read your post. Alzheimer's is, in more than one sense, a family disease. Not only is there a genetic link (in the case of my friend's husband, his mother died from the disease), but the whole family is usually involved in care and treatment of the patient. We need education on how to care for loved ones if they are afflicted, and we need to understand how we might prepare ourselves if we get this diagnosis. More than that, we need effective treatment. Right now, medicine, as your post indicates, does not offer much of a reprieve.
Cool article. There is quiet a lot of studies abut treatment and prevention of dementia with cannabis.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/info/20074/alternative_therapies/488/cannabis_for_the_treatment_or_prevention_of_dementia
I'm 36 and my father has Alzheimer's and seems to get worse every year,and its been hard on my mom and family..
I can relate to that my grandmother has it too and its been really hard for my family too 😔
Very interesting post ,
A number of medications may be prescribed for Alzheimer's disease to help temporarily improve some symptoms and slow down the progression of the condition. Donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine (known as AChE inhibitors) can be prescribed for people with early to mid-stage Alzheimer's disease.
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Ohh wauw thanx for this post. I had a heavy concusion a few years ago i feel the limitations now. Ok it is not alzheimer but i wanted to know more. Thank you.
A very interesting post ! Thanks for this .
good, so a valuable lesson for all of us