The alzheimer is the most common form of dementia, characterized by a degenerative disorder of the brain, which causes loss of memory and other cognitive skills such as language or judgment, and interferes with the development of a person’s daily activities.
Physically what happens in the brain with Alzheimer’s?
Theoretically speaking, this disease is caused by the accumulation of substances in certain parts of the brain that cause them not to function properly, this is called amyloid bodies, which leads to the loss of the functions of the neurons until they die, making the brain size decreases, preventing the ability to create new connections.
Why does it happen?
There is still no real cause of why this disease occurs, but studies have been carried out that show its origin in a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that favor the presence of Alzheimer’s with the passage of the years
Some alerts presented by Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s affects each person differently; the appearance of symptoms depends on the area of the brain affected and the level of depth. The progress of this disease occurs in 3 stages:
- Slight or early stage
- moderate or middle stage
- serious or late stage
Most patients in the early stages may show:
- Alterations in memory, especially of recent events or facts
- Difficulty organizing thoughts
- Repetition of constant statements or questions
- Loss of concentration and confusion
- They affect mood and behavior
At more advanced stages you can present:
- Loss of self-care abilities
- Difficulty performing everyday or simple tasks such as bathing or dressing
- Problems identifying objects
- Difficulty expressing thoughts or participating in conversations
Who is most likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s?
When it comes to this disease there is no difference between men or women, but there are multiple factors that help it develop:
- The age is the most influential factor for having this disease, since it occurs in people over 70 years old. Although currently diagnosed at earlier ages.
- The family and genetic background increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, if one of the first-degree relatives (parents or siblings) has the gene, it is likely that in very specific conditions the person will inherit the disease.
- Other factors that increase the chances are: head trauma, cognitive impairment, polluting factors, bad lifestyle habits, excessive consumption of tobacco and alcohol.
When to go to the doctor?
Usually when there are symptoms that something is not right, it is the family members who notice. Visiting the doctor is key to diagnosing this disease in time; clinical studies supported by neuropsychological tests, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine studies in brain scintigraphy, help guide the best treatment to delay Alzheimer’s.
Drug treatments are the most used in the early stages, where you can see an improvement in the recovery of mental functions, they also help to control other affects such as behavioral disorders. There are other treatments with occupational therapy or neurological restoration therapies that help slow the progression. Unfortunately in more advanced stages these treatments no longer work.
It is important to know that Alzheimer’s has no cure, it is something that not only the patient but also the family suffers from, it is key to find out and seek the necessary support to treat this disease and improve the quality of life of the family nucleus.
This article had the advice of Dr. Antonio Schlesinger Piedrahita, neurologist at the Shaio Clinic.
For more information:
https://www.shaio.org/ejercicio-y-cerebro
https://www.shaio.org/autocuidado-en-el-adulto-mayor