Our memory is an essential part of who we are. It helps us make decisions, stay connected to the past, form deep connections, and understand our surroundings. As we age, it's common to experience changes in memory, understanding, and thinking. However, if someone has trouble remembering things and it affects their ability to perform routine daily activities, it could be an early sign of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia. This blog will discuss the importance of recognizing warning signs early, seeking medical help immediately, and starting appropriate treatment.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Dementia is a broad term that encompasses various neurological conditions, such as Alzheimer's, impacting memory, cognition, and behavior. Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a syndrome with various causes.
Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form, accounting for 60-80% of cases. It is a progressive brain disease that worsens over time, typically over a few years. Initial symptoms are usually mild memory problems that gradually become more severe. Although Alzheimer's is more common in older adults, especially those over 65, it can also affect younger individuals (around 5% of cases occur before the age of 65). The causes of early-onset Alzheimer's are different from the more common form of the Disease. The exact causes of Alzheimer's are not well understood, but two key features are amyloid plaques and tangles in the brain. These abnormal proteins contribute to the death of brain cells, leading to brain shrinkage and the symptoms of Alzheimer's. The Disease progresses and usually leads to death within nine years after symptoms start.
OTHER TYPES OF DEMENTIA
100+ different medical conditions can lead to dementia. Here are some of the most common conditions.
- Vascular Dementia: Often occurs after a stroke and is the second most common type. It is caused by damage from restricted blood flow in your brain.
- Lewy Body Dementia: Characterized by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. "Lewy body dementias" encompass two forms of dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia.
- Frontotemporal Dementia: Affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behavior, and language.
- Mixed Dementia: refers to the presence of two or more types of dementia, often including Alzheimer's and vascular dementia.
- Younger onset dementia: refers to any form of dementia diagnosed in individuals under 65.
ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA SYMPTOMS
- Forgetting recent events, things, or information.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks.
- Challenges in problem-solving and planning.
- Confusion with time and place. Misplacing or losing things.
- Misjudging distances to objects visually.
- Difficulty comprehending visual images and spatial relationships.
- Language and communication problems.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities.
Behavioral and Mood Changes
- Signs of anxiety or fear due to memory loss.
- Changes in personality. Getting upset and angry easily.
- Inappropriate behavior like hitting people.
- Decreased interest in other people's emotions.
- Hiding things.
- Imagining things that are not real.
- Difficulty sleeping.
Diagnosing Alzheimer's and Dementia
- Physical Exam - Information gathered from a physical examination and laboratory tests can help identify health conditions that may cause symptoms of dementia.
- Neurological Exam - During a neurological exam, the physician will assess for signs of stroke, Parkinson's disease, brain tumors, and other conditions that may impact memory or thinking, aside from Alzheimer's.
- Cognitive Tests - Cognitive, functional, and behavioral tests assess memory, thinking, and problem-solving abilities and can quickly evaluate changes in behaviors and symptoms. Ongoing research is improving medical devices and technologies for assessing cognition and function, such as computerized testing software, which ensures consistent test administration.
- Brain Imaging - Brain imaging includes MRI or CT. These tests help rule out other conditions with similar symptoms but requiring different treatment. Structural imaging can reveal tumors, evidence of strokes, head trauma damage, or brain fluid buildup.
Risk Factors -Alzheimer’s & Dementia
- Age (more common in individuals aged 65 or older).
- High blood pressure (hypertension).
- High blood sugar (diabetes).
- High LDL Cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
- Being overweight or obese.
- Traumatic brain injury.
- Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Physical inactivity.
- Social isolation.
- Depression.
Importance of Early Detection
- Get an accurate diagnosis to know what to expect.
- Use treatments more effectively.
- Make empowering choices.
- Gain access to information, resources, and support for yourself and those close to you.
- Help reduce stigma.
- Maximize your quality of life.
- Benefit from support and available drug and non-drug therapies that may improve your cognition.
- Plan for the future.
- Enable family, friends, and colleagues to support you.
How to reduce the risks?
- Manage 3 Highs - High Blood Pressure, High Blood Sugar, and High Bad Cholesterol levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol drinking.
- Aim for an adequate amount of quality sleep each night.
- Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods, emphasizing fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Add Lowsutea to your daily diet.
- Manage stress.
- Stay hydrated.
- Reduce sugar intake.
- Engage in regular physical activities like brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming.
- Engage in activities that stimulate your brain, such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills, or socializing with others. This may help in maintaining cognitive function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
- Stay socially active and maintain connections with family, friends, and support groups. Social interaction can provide emotional support and help prevent feelings of isolation or depression.
Conclusion
Memory problems can happen to anyone. But when they start to affect your daily life or come with other thinking issues, it's essential to consult a physician for a thorough evaluation. Recognizing these signs can help you get early help and support, which is essential for improving your quality of life. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, don't wait to get medical advice. Take steps to manage the condition and access treatment options that may help slow progression.