Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. It is a group of symptoms associated with a decrease in brain function, which affects your memory and the way you behave
In Alzheimer's disease, there is a gradual loss of brain cells
The exact cause of this is unknown. However, some factors are thought to increase the risk of developing the condition, including
Aging
Family history of the case
previous severe head injuries
Lifestyle factors and conditions associated with vascular disease
Signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is an advanced condition which means that it continues to develop into worse. Early symptoms include
Minor memory problems
Difficult to say the right words
These symptoms change with the development of Alzheimer's disease and may lead to
Athan
Changes in personality
Changes in behavior
There is no single test that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease. Your doctor will ask you for any problems you may have and may do some tests to rule out other conditions. If Alzheimer's is suspected, you may be referred to a specialist to confirm the diagnosis and organize the treatment plan.
Treatment of Alzheimer's disease
There is no cure for Alzheimer's, although the drug available can slow the progression of the condition in some people
A care plan should be arranged to provide care and support when treating any type of dementia.
Of which is affected
Alzheimer's is more common in people over 65 and affects women slightly more than men
The Alzheimer's Society estimates that Alzheimer's is responsible for about 62% of dementia cases
Dementia is less common in people under 65 years of age who are known as early dementia
The risk increases with age, it is believed that the probability of development of the situation in people aged 80 years older than six times more
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease
There are several steps you can take that may help delay the onset of dementia, such as
Quit smoking and refrain from drinking alcohol
A healthy and balanced diet
Conduct regular health tests when you get older
Maintain physical fitness and mental activity
Following these steps also has other health benefits such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and improving your overall mental health
What are the causes of the disease
Most often, the main cause is unknown, according to neurologist Stefan Ebelbaum at the Petit-Salptrier Hospital in Paris
"We do not yet know why neurons deteriorate in some people without others, but we are better informed about the chain of events that could lead to this degradation," said the researcher at the Institute of Brain and Spinal Cord
What are the risk factors
Aging is the "biggest known risk factor" for the disease, according to the World Health Organization. As of the age of 85, Alzheimer's disease affects one in four women and one in five men. Starting at 65, the risk of infection is doubling every five years
However, Alzheimer's should not be considered an inevitable consequence of aging. The hereditary form of the disease is only 1% of cases and appears at an earlier age, at the age of nearly sixty years or even earlier
As for the non-hereditary type of disease, research indicates a high risk of developing it due to reduced mobility, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, tobacco and alcohol consumption, as well as an unbalanced diet
Other risk factors that alert the World Health Organization include depression, low educational level, and intellectual activity
What are the diagnostic tools
Alzheimer's disease has always been difficult to diagnose and it was previously necessary to wait for the patient's death to verify the outcome of the diagnosis
Today, the issue is less complicated. The diagnosis is initially based on a question-based clinical examination that allows cognitive disorders to be monitored, according to Stefan Ebelbaum
To check for the disease, doctors use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiography to look at changes in the brain, as well as lumbar punctures to monitor some signs of the disease
What are the treatments
No cure is currently cured of Alzheimer's disease. Many therapeutic strategies are still being researched, according to the Foundation for Medical Research in France
Some drugs are available to treat starchy amyloid plaques, which affect cognitive abilities but are unable alone to curb the disease
"The best treatment for the disease in the future ... will be to combine different drugs to cope with multiple disorders," says Dr. Stefan Ebelbaum
