IS IT AGE RELATED DEMENTIA/ FORGETFULLNESS??? or ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE??? WHEN TO CONSULT???

Is My Loved One Suffering From Dementia Due To Aging??? Or It’s Alzheimer’s Disease???

As we age, we all begin to occasionally forget things – that's normal, and it's expected. But the changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease go far beyond mild forgetfulness.

For a quick overview of how the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease differ from normal aging, have a look at this table:

Normal aging	Early signs of Alzheimer's disease
Forgetting the names of people you rarely see	Forgetting the names of people close to you
Briefly forgetting part of an experience	Forgetting a recent experience
Not putting things away properly	Putting things away in strange places
Mood changes because of an appropriate cause	Having unpredictable mood changes
Changes in your interests	Decreased interest in activities

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Changes In The Brain that Occurs...

Abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain.The damage initially appears to take place in the hippocampus, the part of the brain essential in forming memories. As more neurons die, additional parts of the brain are affected, and they begin to shrink. By the final stage of Alzheimer’s, damage is widespread, and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease

• Memory loss
• Problems with planning or problem solving
• Losing track of time
• Having vision problems
• Misplacing things
• Poor decision making
• Problems with speaking or writing
• Changes in mood and personality

Have You Noticed Any Of The Following 10 Warning Signs ???? Get Checked.

Because Early Detection Matters A Lot In Disease Progression…

1.  MEMORY LOSS THAT DISRUPTS DAILY LIFE

Forgetting recently learned information.

Forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

2. CHALLENGES IN PLANNING OR SOLVING PROBLEMS

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

3.  DIFFICULTY COMPLETING FAMILIAR TASKS AT HOME, AT WORK OR AT LEISURE

     People with Alzheimer’s disease often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

4.  CONFUSION WITH TIME OR PLACE

     People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. 

5.  ROUBLE UNDERSTANDING VISUAL IMAGES AND SPATIAL RELATIONSHIPS 

     For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast, which may cause problems with driving. 

6.  NEW PROBLEMS WITH WORDS IN SPEAKING OR WRITING

People with Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand clock”).

7.  MISPLACING THINGS AND LOSING THE ABILITY TO RETRACE STEPS

A person with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

8.  DECREASED OR POOR JUDGMENT

      People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

9.  WITHDRAWAL FROM WORK OR SOCIAL ACTIVITIES

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

10.  CHANGES IN MOOD AND PERSONALITY

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. 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. 

     If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease, please see a doctor to find the cause. Early diagnosis gives you a chance to seek treatment and plan for your future.

   TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

     1.Drugs

Current Alzheimer's medications can help for a time with memory symptoms and other cognitive changes. Two types of drugs are currently used to treat cognitive symptoms:

a.    Cholinesterase inhibitors. like donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne) and rivastigmine (Exelon).

b.    Memantine (Namenda).

c.    Sometimes other medications such as antidepressants are used to help control the behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.

d.    Supportive medication for nutrition. 

     2. Creating a safe and supportive environment

     3. Regular exercise, especially cardiovascular exercise

     4. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables

     5. Social engagement and intellectual stimulation 

Is There A Cure?

         Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia. Currently, there is no known cure for the disease. There are, however, treatments that can help alleviate some of its symptoms, so people can live life on their own terms. In general, these treatments tend to work best when started at the early stage of the disease, so it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor as soon as you suspect that it may be Alzheimer’s disease.

Get checked. Early detection matters. Medicines are available for slowing down of disease progression and living better life.