Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. It’s a devastating disease for those who have it and their loved ones. Almost half of patients with AD are already in the moderate to severe stages by the time they are diagnosed, according to a survey conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association. But Alzheimer’s can be detected early, and treatments are available that may be able to delay the worsening of symptoms and the progression of the disease.
It is unfortunate about the serious lack of attention that Alzheimer’s gets, because there are things we can do to help those in the early stages of memory loss and equally importantly, provide crucial support to the people who care for them. If diagnosed early, available treatment options can help to slow down the progression of symptoms. Learn more about early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in this blog.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a chronic, progressive, degenerative brain disorder that affects people over the age of 65. It’s a progressive, debilitating disease, and its symptoms gradually get worse over time. What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? Some of the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s are problems with memory and thinking, which gradually get worse. Memory loss can make it hard for patients to make decisions and carry out daily activities.
The problems that begin to occur may include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty concentrating
- Frequent errors in conversations
- Moodiness and irritability
- Cognitive decline that affects everyday life changes in personality
Alzheimer’s gradually destroys memory and thinking skills. Why do some people get Alzheimer’s disease? It is unclear why some people get Alzheimer’s disease. In most cases, the underlying cause is unknown.
Some possible causes of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- A family history of Alzheimer’s.
- Inherited genetic mutations.
- A head injury.
- A stroke or other major trauma.
- A TIA, or minor stroke.
How do I know if someone has Alzheimer’s disease?
Doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s disease based on a patient’s memory loss, language and communication problems, and loss of other mental abilities, as well as other behavioral changes. It is possible for symptoms to develop slowly over time, or suddenly. The symptoms of gradual and steady memory loss usually do not affect daily life and function; they become evident only when there is significant impairment. Mild memory loss, such as forgetting to turn on a stove after a few minutes, is not a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Mild memory loss can be caused by the normal aging process, stress, sleep disturbances, illness, or a combination of these factors. Alzheimer’s patients with language impairment account for 15 to 25% of Alzheimer’s cases.
What is the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease?
One of the best ways to find out if you have Alzheimer’s is to have a simple, inexpensive test called a PET scan, which can look for deposits of amyloid proteins in your brain that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. A PET scan, or positron emission tomography scan, is an advanced radiation detector that can show the distribution of different forms of the amyloid protein deposits in the brain. While a PET scan can diagnose Alzheimer’s, it doesn’t help doctors predict the progression of the disease. A PET scan has a lower specificity for Alzheimer’s disease compared with other Alzheimer’s tests, such as a spinal tap. In other words, it won’t detect early Alzheimer’s but it may be able to detect the disease that’s not yet visible to other tests.
What are the treatments for Alzheimer’s disease?
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are several treatments available to help those with mild to moderate symptoms. The most common treatment option available today is a medication called Aricept, also known as donepezil. Although most studies have not found a major benefit for those with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, a number of clinical trials have been conducted, with positive results. Some medications have shown benefit in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s in those with early symptoms.
A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing AD and stabilize the symptoms for those who already have it. These activities include regular physical exercise, stress management, proper diet, and prompt treatment of medical conditions like hypertension and high blood cholesterol, and some people may find that cognitively stimulating activities like crossword puzzles or word searches can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Finding Local Resources
Houston is fortunate enough to have a very robust healthcare system, which includes medical treatment centers as well as medical research centers. The Houston area is known for its cancer research hospitals like MD Anderson. Houston’s hospitals are also very adept at treating Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. There are over two dozen active medical and research trials at Methodist Hospital’s Nantz National Alzheimer Center, which plays a major role (on a national scale) in advancing Alzheimer’s research.Â
Conclusion
There are four types of dementia: Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Lewy body dementia (LBD). The most common type of dementia is frontotemporal dementia. This type of dementia is a type of frontotemporal lobar degeneration that may cause personality changes. FTD is characterized by progressive non-consciousness or paranoia as its main characteristic. When a person has FTD he or she is no longer able to think clearly, their memories become very disorganized, and they have difficulty communicating with others. More people are likely to suffer from FTD as the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease increases. Although similar, dementia and Alzheimer’s are not the same disease.
Consult a doctor if you suspect your loved one may be showing signs of cognitive decline. Attend the appointment with them and ask about the most current treatments available.