Alzheimer's disease treatment

The degree and severity of symptoms depend on the absolute number of dead neurons, as well as on the location of the lesion in the brain. According to the time of occurrence, symptoms are divided into early, intermediate, and late. Also, it is possible to distinguish the first signs of the disease.

First signs

Alzheimer’s precursors can be detected long before diagnosis. However, mild cognitive impairment is only detected with special neuropsychological tests.

Brain disorders are manifested by minor disturbances in memory, decreased focus of attention, and reduced flexibility of thinking. Relatives of patients may note a decrease in mood, up to and including depression and apathy.

Early symptoms

In the first place, memory of recent events suffers, and there are difficulties in assimilating new knowledge. At the same time, memory of own life events, long-standing knowledge and memory of body movements is practically unimpaired.

The vocabulary becomes more impoverished. In spite of this, at an early stage, patients are able to convey their thoughts and express their ideas orally and in writing.

Patients perform daily activities without assistance, especially if the activity does not involve new information and has been performed previously for many years.

Moderate symptoms

Memory impairment is exacerbated. Patients may not recognize the faces of relatives and loved ones. Oral and written language skills are lost. Alzheimer’s patients have difficulty expressing their feelings and thoughts due to a progressive impoverishment of the vocabulary.

Patients’ behavior changes distinctly. Outbursts of unmotivated aggression or tearfulness may occur. The patients are inclined to vagrancy and may leave home unannounced towards evening, moving in an unknown direction.

Serious dementia symptoms

In the later stages of development, Alzheimer’s disease manifests as a complete loss of all skills. Patients are unable to do even the simplest things (pick up a pen, point at an object).

Patients spend most of their time lying in bed. Wasting and muscle weakness increase. At this stage, constant care and inspection are necessary.

Alzheimer’s is not a direct cause of death. Progression of the disease leads to impaired swallowing. This can cause pneumonia due to bits of food and fluid getting into the lungs.

Prolonged stay in bed causes bedsores (ulcers) and congestive lung inflammation due to poor air ventilation in the airways.

Experts believe that there is no single cause of Alzheimer’s disease. In most cases, it is a combination of genetic factors and external causes, such as the environment and the state of the body.

Protein disruption

Disruption of protein metabolism in neurons leads to their damage and, subsequently, death. Most researchers believe that so-called beta-amyloid proteins and tau proteins play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

They take part in nutrient metabolism. If they don’t work properly, the neuron gets under the toxic influence of some proteins or receives insufficient energy.

Genetic factors

It is well known that mutation of certain genes leads to the natural development of Alzheimer’s after a certain number of years. Genetically related cases of Alzheimer’s disease only account for about 1-2% of all cases. Typically, this leads to the first signs of the disease appearing in middle age.

Anyone can get Alzheimer’s. However, there are risk factors that increase the chances over time. The key factor is the age of the patient. The higher a person’s age, the more likely they are to identify Alzheimer’s. After age 85, about 7.5% of people have the disease.

Both men and women have Alzheimer’s dementia equally. Among women, Alzheimer’s is more common because women, on average, live longer than men.

People with Down syndrome are more likely to have Alzheimer’s. A pattern of disease among relatives has also been found. If a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the chances of getting the disease increase.

Excessive alcohol use and brain injuries cause irreversible changes in the brain. Over time, this can cause dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease can increase your chances of getting Alzheimer’s. Here are some of them:

• High blood pressure,
• Overweight,
• High cholesterol and blood sugar,
• Smoking.

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