UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE - Medsparkles (SMC-Pvt) Limited

UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

The general term “dementia” refers to a group of symptoms (behavioral, functional, and cognitive) that are brought on by certain illnesses. Whereas Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent manifestation of dementia, Lewy body disease, vascular disease, and frontotemporal degeneration can all cause symptoms. A progressive neurological condition must be the cause of dementia; not all cognitive deterioration is considered dementia.

DEMENTIA

Dementia is a sickness that can be brought on by a variety of illnesses that gradually kills nerve cells and harm the brain, usually resulting in a decline in cognitive function (i.e., the capacity to process ideas) that goes beyond what would be predicted from the regular effects of biological aging. Changes in mood, emotional regulation, behavior, or motivation frequently accompany and occasionally precede the impairment in cognitive function, even while consciousness is unaffected.

Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, in which circulatory abnormalities result in decreased blood flow and, consequently, energy supply to the brain, are the two most prevalent forms of dementia. Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease frequently coexist. Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, mixed dementia, and young-onset dementia are further forms. Dementia-like symptoms can also be brought on by certain illnesses and drugs.

Rather than being a disease, dementia is a set of symptoms linked to a decline in thinking, reasoning, and memory. Another consequence of dementia is problems with behavior. A person with dementia may find it challenging to perform daily tasks that they have previously completed independently.

DEMENTIA KEY FACTS

The most prevalent type of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, is a deadly, degenerative brain illness with no known cause or treatment.
57 million persons globally suffered from dementia in 2021; more than 60% of these individuals reside in low- and middle-
income nations. Nearly 10 million new cases are reported each year.
Numerous illnesses and brain traumas can lead to dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent type of dementia, accounting for 60–70% of cases.
Currently, dementia ranks as the seventh most common cause of death worldwide and is a major contributor to dependency and disability among the elderly.
Both directly and indirectly, dementia disproportionately affects women. Although women account for 70% of caregiving hours for those with dementia, they also have higher disability-adjusted life years and death from dementia.
Approximately half of the $1.3 trillion that dementia cost economies worldwide in 2019 can be attributed to care given by informal carers, such as family members and close friends, who contribute five hours of care and supervision on average each day.
Several illnesses that impair thinking, memory, and daily functioning are referred to as dementia.
Over time, the disease worsens. Although it primarily affects the elderly, not everyone will have it as they get older.

THINGS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING DEMENTIA

Age (more prevalent among people over 65)
Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure
Diabetes, or elevated blood sugar levels
Being obese or overweight and
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Physical inactivity
Social isolation,
Sadness

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Mood and behavioral shifts can occasionally appear prior to memory issues. Most persons with dementia will eventually require assistance with regular daily activities as their symptoms worsen over time.

Early signs and symptoms are:

Forgetting stuff or what happened recently
Things being misplaced or lost
Getting lost while driving or walking
Being confused, especially in familiar places;
Losing track of time
Having trouble making decisions or solving problems;
Having trouble following discussions
Having difficulty finding words completing routine duties
Visual misjudgment of object distances

Common changes in mood and behavior include:

Feeling depressed, angry, or anxious due to memory loss
Personality shifts
Improper behavior
Disengagement from social or professional activities
Decreased interest in the feelings of others.

ALZHEIMER

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that gradually impairs thinking and memory abilities as well as the capacity to perform even the most basic tasks. Behavioral and personality abnormalities are also common in Alzheimer’s patients.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent type of dementia; it is a fatal, degenerative brain condition for which there is no treatment. Nearly 7 million Americans 65 and older suffer with Alzheimer’s, which is the sixth most common cause of death in the US. Along with numerous other pathogenic causes, the aberrant build-up of two proteins, tau and amyloid-beta, in various parts of the brain at various times is what defines Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is thought to affect more than 6 million Americans, many of whom are 65 years of age or older. There are more people with Alzheimer’s than there are people living in a major American metropolis. Alzheimer’s affects a lot more people since they are friends and family of those who have the illness.

ALZHEIMERS KEY FACTS

Alzheimer’s disease is prevalent in the US.
One of the top ten most common causes of death in the US is Alzheimer’s disease.
Seventh most common cause of mortality in adult Americans.
Sixth most common cause of death for individuals over 65.
The number of elderly persons who pass away from Alzheimer’s may be significantly higher than what is officially documented.
Death certificates may not necessarily include information about dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s dementia affects 5% of those between the ages of 65 and 74, 13% of those between the ages of 75 and 84, and 33% of those who are 85 and older. This number rises with age.
According to a 2025 study, the lifetime risk of dementia after age 55 is 42%, more than twice the previous risk estimates for this age range.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

One of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s is frequent memory loss. Each person has different symptoms.
Word-finding is the inability to think of words as easily as others of the same age.
Spatial and visual problems, such as awareness of their surroundings.
Impaired judgment or reasoning may affect choices.

Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s may include:

Loss of memory.
Forgetting names, faces, recent events, and new information on a regular basis.

not knowing the time of day or the date.

Confusion.
Particularly in unfamiliar locations, people may become disoriented or uncertain about their whereabouts.
Some people experience mood swings, anxiety, or agitation. Others might become less confident, become less interested in their surroundings, and stop engaging in activities they used to enjoy.

Additional signs could include behavioral changes, such as:

Taking longer to finish everyday chores.
Asking the same questions again.
Difficulty managing finances and making bill payments.
Wandering and becoming disoriented.
Misplacing items or losing them in strange locations.
Personality and mood shifts.
Increased hostility and/or anxiousness.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Dementia is a brain disorder that makes it difficult for a person to think logically and normally. There are various types of dementia, even though Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent cause. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, is not a normal aspect of aging; rather, it is a disease of the brain. Behavioral alterations are common in dementia patients. As dementia worsens, the alterations become more noticeable. They still have many of the same preferences and dislikes from their early years despite these changes.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative condition that impairs memory and other critical mental abilities. It is a long-term neurodegenerative illness that typically begins slowly and gets worse over time. The most prevalent cause of dementia, a collection of brain illnesses that result in a progressive loss of memory and mental function as well as intellectual and social skills, is Alzheimer’s disease.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Does Alzheimer’s have a genetic component?

A: Yes, Alzheimer’s disease may be inherited. If you have a biological parent or sibling who has Alzheimer’s, your chances of getting the disease are increased by 10% to 30%. If two or more of your biological siblings have AD, your chances of getting it are three times higher than normal. The APOE ε4 gene raises the risk of Alzheimer’s. Additionally, it is linked to an earlier age of onset of ver, not all individuals with the APOE ε4 gene will get Alzheimer’s. It’s only one thing that could make you more vulnerable.

Q: How does one diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?

A: Healthcare professionals can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease in a number of ways. First they will talk to you and your loved ones about your current health and medical history. They will ask your questions to understand your health and daily routine. They will ask you if you know you have any risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. They will ask your loved ones if they have noticed any symptoms or change you may not be able to see in yourself. They may ask about your: Ability to perform your regular activities; Changes in your mood, behavior, and personality; Current medications; Medical history; and overall health.

They will rule out other illnesses that have comparable symptoms, including memory problems.

A few tests will also be used by your provider, such as:

Blood examinations MRI of the brain
Cognitive assessments
CT scan
PET examination
Mental health and psychiatric assessments
Tests on urine.

Q: What dementia phases are there?

A: The 7-stage model is a popular technique that can be used to monitor the course of dementia. You or a loved one may not exhibit any obvious symptoms of dementia during the initial period. In stage two, memory lapses appear normal, and in stage three, there is a slight but discernible cognitive impairment. Moderate cognitive decline occurs in stage four, and in stage five, it becomes somewhat severe. Your loved one will require assistance with everyday tasks like dressing on stage six. When the cognitive decline reaches stage seven, your loved one may not be able to construct sentences and will require round-the-clock care.

Q: Who experiences dementia?

A: Due to its tendency to mostly affect older adults, dementia is regarded as a late-life disease. Dementia affects between 5% and 8% of adults over 65, and the percentage doubles every five years after that age. Up to half of those who are 85 years of age or older are thought to have dementia. By race, the number of individuals 65 years of age and older with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is: Black people: 14% 12% are Hispanic. White non-Hispanics: 10%

Q: Can dementia be cured?

A: Regretfully, the most prevalent forms of dementia are incurable. Approved drugs can only, at most, delay the decline at this time.

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