Alzheimer's Disease

The first thing coming to mind when we start to forget things as we get older is Alzheimer's disease. More people seem to be affected nowadays by this well-known form of dementia because our population is aging. Fortunately, Alzheimer's is not as common as people might think; it is not part of the normal aging process. The proportion of people suffering from this disease increases after the age of 65.

Symptoms

The progression of Alzheimer's varies from person to person. Memory loss is generally noted in the early stage. The person experiences problems carrying out familiar tasks, such as paying a bill, or following recipes. They may exhibit speech problems, choosing the wrong words, for instance, or not understanding simple sentences. As the disease progresses, the person may get easily disoriented or confused; anxiety may make them restless and sleepless at night. Delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations may occur. Trouble with recent memory becomes an inability to remember anything. They gradually lose speech, mobility, and the notion of self-care. They become increasingly vulnerable to dehydration, malnutrition, and infections. These are common causes of death in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Causes and triggers

Alzheimer's is a degenerative disorder characterized by changes in the structure and chemistry of the brain. These changes disturb the good communication between the nerve cells and lead to their death. We do not know precisely the causes of the disease, nor do we yet know how to stop its progression. However, experts agree that it is generally a combination of factors that cause the disease.

The primary risk factor for Alzheimer's appears to be age. Most people who develop the disease do so after the age of 65. The presence of some specific genes can increase the risk of having Alzheimer's, although it is rare. One of them is associated with a form of the disease that appears around the age of 40. Other risk factors include family history, previous head injury, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, smoking and Down's syndrome.

It is thus possible to reduce the risk by maintaining a healthy diet, regular physical activity, an active mind (through games and learning), and an active social life.

Treatment

Alzheimer's has no cure yet. For now, the goal is to help the affected person maintain their mental and physical function as long as possible.

Various medications are being explored in the treatment of the disease. Some medications can temporarily improve memory in the early stages of the disease. While these drugs may help with some of the symptoms, they are not a cure because they do not stop the underlying progression of the disease.

Living with Alzheimer's

If you or someone you love is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, keep in mind that you are not alone. There are people in your community who can help not only in the management of the disease but also in providing support for the caregivers. Alzheimer's is a family disease; everyone connected with it suffers to a greater or lesser degree.

The person with Alzheimer's should be encouraged to participate in making the decisions about eventual care when independence is lost. They should prepare without delay a legal document in case of incapacity for medical and financial matter. Most importantly, family and friends need to help ease any fears of abandonment or embarrassment that the affected person may have.

When should I see a health care professional?

Consult your health care provider in the following cases:

• you or a loved one feel that memory loss is causing difficulties in the daily activities;
• you or a loved one feel that memory loss is becoming more frequent.

For more information:

• Alzheimer Society Canada