ALZHEIMER

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological
ailment that causes the brain to shrink
(atrophy) and loss of brain cells. The most
common kind of dementia is Alzheimer's
disease, which is characterized as a
progressive loss of cognitive, behavioral,
and social abilities that limits a person's
ability to function independently.

ALZHEIMER

Alzheimer's disease is a neurological ailment that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and loss of brain cells. The most common kind of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which is characterized as a progressive loss of cognitive, behavioral, and social abilities that limits a person's ability to function independently.

Memory issues are usually one of the early signs of Alzheimer's disease, though the severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. Other aspects of cognition, such as difficulty finding the right words, faulty reasoning, or poor judgment, may also be signs of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition that can lead to Alzheimer's disease, however, not everyone who has MCI will develop the disease.

Symptoms

Memory issues are usually one of the early signs of Alzheimer's disease, though the severity of the symptoms varies from person to person. Other areas of thinking, such as finding the proper words, vision/spatial difficulties, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also indicate Alzheimer's disease in its early stages. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a disorder that can be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease, but not everyone with MCI will progress to the disease.

Cognitive:
Mental decline, difficulty thinking, and understanding, confusion, delusion, disorientation, forgetfulness, making things up, mental confusion, difficulty concentrating, inability to create new memories, solving simple math or inability to recognize are all examples of cognitive impairment.

Behavioral:
Aggression, agitation, difficulties with self-care, irritability, meaningless repetition of own words, personality changes, restlessness, lack of constraint, or roaming and getting lost.

Mood:
Anger, indifference, general dissatisfaction, loneliness, or mood fluctuations.

Psychological:
Depression, hallucination, or paranoia. Inability to combine muscle motions, garbled speech, and loss of appetite are also common.

Causes

The inappropriate build-up of proteins in the brain causes Alzheimer's disease. Cell death is caused by the buildup of these proteins, which are known as amyloid protein and tau protein. Scientists believe that amyloid protein accumulates in brain cells, resulting in plaque formation. Tau tangles are formed by twisted strands of another protein called tau. These plaques and tangles obstruct nerve cell connection, preventing them from carrying out their functions. The symptoms exhibited in patients with Alzheimer's disease are caused by the gradual and continuing loss of nerve cells, which begins in one area of the brain (typically the memory area) and spreads to other areas.

Prevention

Alzheimer's is a disease that cannot be prevented. On the one hand, a variety of lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer's disease can be improved. Evidence shows that food, physical activity, and lifestyle changes that have been demonstrated to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease may also lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Reading, dancing, playing board games, creating art, playing an instrument, and other activities that require mental and social interaction have been related to the maintenance of thinking skills and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease later in life. Making heart-healthy lifestyle choices may help to minimize the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Medication

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, current drugs can assist to decrease the progression of Alzheimer's disease and address behavioral issues that may arise as the disease progresses. Some medications prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter that is vital for memory and learning. For around half of those who take them, they may slow the rate at which symptoms worsen. The effect is rather temporary, lasting about 6 to 12 months on average. Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, exhaustion, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and weight loss are all common side effects of these drugs. Donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), and rivastigmine (Exelon) are three such medications.

CONCLUSION:

Alzheimer's disease worsens over time and eventually kills people. On average, people with Alzheimer's disease live four to eight years after being diagnosed. After a diagnosis, some people can live for up to 20 years. The condition progresses differently in each person. Dr. Agahi diagnoses Alzheimer's disease by doing physical examinations, administering tests, observing behavioral changes, and analyzing memory loss. You can certainly schedule an appointment right away! We are always ready to treat and serve you to the best of our abilities!