2019 – Posted in: RSTV

ALZHEIMER

In News:

The neurodegenerative disease that leads to brain cell degeneration and a decline in cognitive functions is estimated to kill a third of US seniors, which is more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined.

September 21: World Alzheimer’s Day

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, also causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time, becoming serious enough to interfere with daily tasks.

It, not a normal part of aging and worsens over time. Alzheimer’s has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available, although current Alzheimer’s treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

In Alzheimer’s disease, brain cells degrade and die which results in a constant decrease in memory and mental functions. Current medications and management strategies for Alzheimer’s disease can temporarily improve symptoms. This can sometimes help people with Alzheimer’s disease to optimize their functions and maintain their independence.

But because Alzheimer cannot be cured, and according to the Alzheimer Association based in the United States, more than 4 million people in India suffer from some form of dementia.

Disease vs Dementia:

Dementia is the name for a group of brain disorders in which the person finds it hard to remember anything, think clearly, make decisions, or even control the emotions. Alzheimer’s disease also is one of those disorders.
A person with dementia finds himself unable to cope up with the following chores as memory retention, Communication, and speech, Focus and concentration, Reasoning and judgment, Visual perception, etc.
Dementia is most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for dementia in over 50-75% of the cases, and can be caused by other diseases such as Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease as well.
It can also be categorized as Lewy body and vascular dementia.

What causes Alzheimer’s?

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors, etc.
Less than 1% of the time, Alzheimer’s disease is caused by specific genetic changes that virtually guarantee the development of the disease. These rare cases usually cause the disease to appear in middle age.
The exact causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not fully understood, but they are mainly brain protein problems that do not function normally, interrupt the work of brain cells (neurons) and trigger a series of toxic events. The neurons are damaged, lose the connection and eventually die.
The damage starts most often in the area of the brain that controls memory, but the process begins years before the first symptoms. The loss of neurons spreads quite predictably in other areas of the brain. The brain has been significantly reduces in the initial stage.

The two types of abnormalities that are considered as hallmarks of the disease:

Plaques: Beta amyloid is an excess of fragment of a larger protein. When these fragments are clustered, they appear to have a toxic effect on neurons and disrupt cell-to-cell communication. These groups form larger deposits called amyloid plaques which also include other cellular debris.

Tangles: Entangled Tau proteins play a role in the transport and internal support system of a neuron to transport nutrients and other essential materials. In Alzheimer’s disease, tau proteins change shape and organize into structures called neurofibrillary keys. Entanglements disrupt the transport system and are toxic to the cells.

Stages: The Alzheimer’s can be divided down into three main stages:

Preclinical, before symptoms appear
Mild cognitive impairment, when symptoms are mild
Dementia

Symptoms:

Memory loss is the main symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. An early sign of illness is usually a difficulty remembering events or recent conversations. Memory problems worsen day by day and other symptoms starts developing.
Initially, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may be aware of their difficulties in remembering things and organizing their thoughts. A family member or friend is likely to notice the worsening of symptoms.
Brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease are causing increasing problems with:
Memory: Everyone has occasional memory problems. It is normal to lose track of where you put the keys or name of anything. But the memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease persists and worsens, affecting the ability to function at work or at home.
Thinking and Reasoning: Alzheimer’s disease causes difficulties of concentration and reflection, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers.
Multitasking is particularly difficult and it can be difficult to manage finances, check accounts and pay bills on time. These difficulties can evolve into an inability to recognize and manage numbers.
Making judgments and decisions: The ability to make reasonable decisions and judgments in everyday situations will diminish. It is also difficult to respond effectively to everyday problems, such as cooking food on the stove or unexpected handling situations.
Changes in personality and behavior: This disease can also affect moods and behaviors. It includes problems like Depression, Apathy, Social withdrawal, Mood swings, Distrust in others, Irritability and aggressiveness, Changes in sleeping habits, Wandering, Loss of inhibitions, Delusions, etc.

When to see a doctor?

A number of conditions, including those that can be treated can result in memory loss or other dementia symptoms. One should consult the doctor for a thorough assessment and diagnosis if memory concerns or thinking problem persists.

Quick Facts:

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care to people with Alzheimer’s disease or people with dementia.
Deaths from heart rate have decreased 9% while deaths from Alzheimer’s have increased 145% between 2000 and 2017.
Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation US $ 290 billion in 2019. These costs could rise as high as US $ 1.1 trillion by 2050.
Someone in the United States develops the disease every 65 seconds.

Today, Alzheimer is at the forefront of biomedical research. The researchers are working to discover as many aspects as possible of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Some of the most remarkable advances have highlighted the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on the brain. The hope is that this better understanding will lead to new treatments. Many potential approaches are currently being studied around the world.

Source: RSTV

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