Alzheimer Disease: Overview, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Overview of Alzheimer

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory loss and cognitive decline. Alzheimer’s disease tends to start slowly and progress gradually. Vascular dementia after a stroke often progresses in a ‘stepped’ way. This means that symptoms are stable for a while and then suddenly get worse. It happens when plaques containing a beta-amyloid form in the brain. It is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills.

Symptoms of Alzheimer

Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. Some of the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s are listed here:

1. Memory loss – A standout amongst the most widely recognized indications of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, particularly overlooking as of late learned data. Others incorporate overlooking critical dates or occasions; requesting similar data, again and again
2. Planning or solving problems – A few people may encounter changes in their capacity to create and take after an arrangement or work with numbers. They may experience difficulty following or monitoring monthly bills
3. Confusion with time or place – Individuals with Alzheimer’s can forget about dates, seasons and the progression of time. They may experience difficulty understanding something in the event that it isn’t going on quickly. In some cases, they may overlook where they are or how they arrived
4. Problem in speaking or writing – Individuals with Alzheimer’s may experience difficulty following or joining a discussion. They may stop amidst a discussion and have no clue how to proceed or they may rehash themselves. They may battle with vocabulary, have issues finding the correct word or call things by the wrong name
5. Changes in vision – They find it difficult to visualize things such as the inability to recognize faces or common objects or to find objects in direct view
6. Mood changes – They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone
7. Misplacing things – They may place things in surprising spots. They may lose things and be not able to return over their means to discover them once more
8. Social withdrawal – Patient behaves compulsive, obsessive, or socially unacceptable behavior to withdraw themselves socially

Causes of Alzheimer

It is very likely that a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Some of the common factors are listed here:

1. Genetics – There is no single quality change that reliably causes late-beginning Alzheimer’s. Rather, the late-beginning structure appears to speak to the joined impact of numerous qualities, every one of which expands the hazard a bit. The best known about these is the apolipoprotein E gene
2. Lifestyle – Specialists are currently investigating how to count calories, work out, the administration of therapeutic conditions, for example, diabetes or hypertension, and another way of life factors add to the danger of creating Alzheimer
3. Environment – Education level, head injuries, and other environmental influences may also play a role in Alzheimer, and scientists are exploring these avenues

Treatment for Alzheimer

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer, scientists and researchers are working hard to find one. However, we have shortlisted the best treatment or cure available underneath:

1. Drugs – Currently two types of drugs are currently used to treat cognitive symptoms such as Cholinesterase inhibitors and Memantine these drugs work by boosting levels of a cell-to-cell communication by providing a neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) that is depleted in the brain by Alzheimer’s disease
2. Safe surroundings – Always keep keys, wallets, mobile phones, and other valuables in the same place at home, so they don’t become lost
3. Consulting doctor – Make sure you visit the doctor and take precautions as adviced
4. Exercise – Activities such as a daily walk can help improve mood and maintain the health of joints, muscles and the heart
5. Nutrition – People suffering from Alzheimer should minimize your intake of saturated fats and trans fats, take Vitamin E supplements, and should avoid iron rich food

Disclaimer: Nothing in this article is to be construed as medical advice, nor it is intended to replace the recommendations of a medical professional. For specific questions, please consult a specialist for advice.