What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.

Alzheimer's disease gradually destroys brain cells, leading to significant cognitive decline and impacting daily life. The exact cause of Alzheimer's is not fully understood, but it involves the accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain, which disrupt communication between neurons and lead to their degeneration.

Signs & Symptoms

The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can vary from person to person, but common signs include:

• Memory Loss: Especially short-term memory loss, which impacts daily activities.
• Confusion and Disorientation: Difficulty understanding time, dates, and places.
• Difficulty with Familiar Tasks: Trouble performing tasks that were once routine.
• Language Problems: Difficulty finding the right words or following conversations.
• Poor Judgement: Making decisions that are out of character, such as poor financial choices.
• Mood and Personality Changes: Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, or confusion.
• Withdrawal: Reduced participation in social activities and hobbies.
• Visual-Spatial Problems: Difficulty judging distance and determining color or contrast, leading to problems with driving.
• Changes in Sleep Patterns: Sleeping during the day and becoming restless at night.
• Misplacing Things: Putting things in unusual places and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
• Loss of Initiative: Becoming passive and requiring prompts to become involved in activities.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease involves a comprehensive assessment, which may include:

• Medical History: A detailed history of the patient's symptoms, medical background, and family history.
• Cognitive Tests: Assessments to evaluate memory, problem-solving skills, attention, language, and other cognitive abilities.
• Physical and Neurological Exams: To rule out other potential causes of symptoms.
• Imaging Tests: Brain scans such as MRI or CT scans to detect structural changes and rule out other conditions.
• Laboratory Tests: Blood tests to check for other possible causes of cognitive decline.
• Psychiatric Evaluation: To assess mood, behaviour, and overall mental state.

Treatment

While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, various treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment strategies typically include:

Medications

• Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Drugs such as donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine that boost levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in memory and learning.
• Memantine: Regulates the activity of glutamate, another neurotransmitter, to help improve cognitive function and daily activities.
• Other Medications: Treatments to manage symptoms like Depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and agitation.

Non-Pharmacological Treatments

• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): Activities and exercises designed to improve cognitive function.
• Behavioural Therapy: Techniques to manage behaviours such as aggression, wandering, and agitation.
• Occupational Therapy: Helps individuals maintain independence and improve their ability to perform daily tasks.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve mobility, balance, and overall physical health.

Self-Help Strategies

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers can benefit from various self-help strategies to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life:

• Healthy Diet: A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can support overall health.
• Regular Exercise: Physical activity can help maintain physical health, reduce anxiety, and improve mood.
• Mental Stimulation: Engaging in puzzles, reading, and other cognitive activities can help maintain cognitive function.
• Routine: Establishing a daily routine can help reduce confusion and provide a sense of stability.
• Safety Modifications: Making the home environment safe, such as removing tripping hazards and installing handrails.