Alzheimer’s disease is the most well-known and common type of Dementia. Dementia is broad category of brain diseases associated with loss of memory and other mental abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia, is an age-related brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. It is not the usual part of the aging process. It gradually destroys a person’s memory and thinking skills and, eventually, even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Although Alzheimer’s disease mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.
Alzheimer’s disease is basically a syndrome, mostly of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by an array of brain illnesses that can affect memory, cognitive thinking, behaviour as well as the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease overwhelms not only the people who are affected by it, but also their caregivers and families.
What is the pathology behind Alzheimer’s disease ?
The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease is related to the injury and death of neurons, initiating in the hippocampus brain region that is involved with memory and learning, then atrophy (tissue degeneration) affects the entire brain.
What is the Etiology or Cause of Alzheimer’s disease ?
- Age – Increasing age is the largest risk factor for Alzheimer’s (above 65 years of age).
- Genetics – Familial Alzheimer’s occurs early onset types, the sporadic type occurs later in life.
- Diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, and dyslipidemia have all been found to increase risk as well a earlier history of trauma or injury to the brain, the cerebrovascular diseases and vasculopathies. Good education and a Mediterranean diet may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease ?
- Cognitive decline- memory loss, language difficulty and poor decision making.
- Behavioural and psychiatric disorders- depression, delusions and agitation.
- Declines in functional status- daily living and self care becomes difficult.
What are the Signs of Alzheimer’s disease ?
- Poor judgment and decision making
- Inability to handle finances
- Losing track of the date or year
- Difficulty in making coherent conversation and interacting socially
- Misplacing things and forgetting events and people.
How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed ?
Both brain imaging and clinical assessment gauging memory is used to identify patients with Alzheimer’s disease. However, a definitive diagnosis can only be made after doing a patients autopsy by examination of his or her brain tissues.
What you need to do if you think you have Alzheimer’s disease ?
The first step in following up on symptoms is contacting your regular primary care physician. There is no single type of doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating memory symptoms or Alzheimer’s disease.
In many cases, the doctor refers the patient to specialists such as a:
- Neurologist who specializes in diseases of the brain and nervous system
- Psychiatrist who specializes in disorders that affect mood or the way the mind works
- Psychologist with special training in testing memory and other mental functions
There is no single test that proves a person has Alzheimer’s. The workup is designed to evaluate overall health and identify how well the mind is working.
What is the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease ?
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s and no way to stop the progressive neurodegeneration. But drugs and some non-drug treatments may help with both cognitive and behavioural symptoms. Drugs used include cholinesterase inhibitors.
How to find neurologists for Alzheimer’s disease treatment ?
Now you can find neurologists for Alzheimer’s disease treatment from different hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple neurologists, get cost estimates for Alzheimer’s disease treatment from different hospitals, compare things and then choose a neurologist for Alzheimer’s disease treatment.
Find a neurologist for Alzheimer’s disease treatment on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
