Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes memory, reasoning, learning, and organizing abilities to decrease over time. Individuals with this condition are often older than 65. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s; however, several treatments and therapies can help temporarily manage symptoms. This condition affects around 6.5 million individuals in the country. Keep reading to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and ways to manage the condition.

Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent dementia type diagnosed among older adults. It begins with the brain areas responsible for cognition, memory, and language. People with the condition may experience difficulty recalling recent events or familiar people’s names. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a similar problem, causes more memory problems than usual for persons of the same age. Individuals who have MCI are more likely to get AD.

Some patients with the condition may not recognize family members. The condition will affect their communication ability, and they may struggle with grammar and writing complete sentences. As the disease progresses, they may lose the ability to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Such individuals eventually require round-the-clock care.

AD usually begins in the mid-sixties. As a person ages, the risk increases. The risk is high if the person has a family history of the illness. Certain treatments may help keep symptoms from worsening for a short period.

Symptoms
Difficulty remembering what you’ve recently learned is a common warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Like the rest of the body parts, the brains change as a person ages. As a result, most people eventually experience a slowing of their thinking and intermittent memory problems. On the other hand, severe memory loss, confusion, and other substantial changes in our mental functioning may be indicators of failing brain cells.

Alzheimer’s disease usually manifests itself initially in the part of the brain that influences learning. When the condition worsens and spreads to other brain areas, severe symptoms start showing, including unfounded suspicions about family, friends, and caregivers; more severe memory loss and behavioral changes; and facing trouble when speaking, swallowing, and walking.

Memory loss is usually one of the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Besides memory issues, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience one or more of the following problems-

• Memory loss that interferes with daily life, such as repeating questions, forgetting names of family members, misplacing items, forgetting appointments, or facing confusion in a familiar place
• Needing help managing finances and paying bills
• A struggle to complete ordinary tasks at work, home, or leisure
• Reduced or faulty judgments
• Changes in mood, attitude, or behavior

Causes
Although age, health, family history, genetics, and abnormal protein deposits in the brain are considered to play a role, experts are still unsure of the specific cause behind Alzheimer’s disease. Some of the common factors that can contribute to the condition are listed below.

• Age and family history
• Certain genes
• Abnormal protein buildup in the brain
• Environmental factors like viruses

Diagnosis
Unfortunately, no single test can definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. A comprehensive examination yields a diagnosis, which could include-

• A thorough medical history
• Cognitive tests to assess your thinking and memory
• Blood and urine tests
• Physical and neurological exams
• Imaging tests such as MRI scans to examine the brain

Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed when all other possible reasons for your symptoms have been ruled out.

Treatment
As mentioned earlier, there is presently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Brain cells that have died cannot be restored. Treatments, however, can alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life of the patient and their family and carers. Some essential aspects of Alzheimer’s treatment are listed below.

• Efficient management of any issues that arise in conjunction with activities and programs for Alzheimer’s patients’ engagement in support services and groups
• Prescription remedies for boosting cell-to-cell communication, improving behavior-related symptoms, and delaying the progression of symptoms

The most critical aspects of Alzheimer’s disease management include proper treatments, maintaining general health, a calm and well-structured environment, improved physical activity, and social connection.

Alzheimer’s is a severe progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory loss and cognitive decline. Although there is no known cure, treatments can assist in alleviating or delaying cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms while improving the patient’s quality of life. There is currently no treatment to delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease; however, clinical trials are underway to determine whether it is possible to improve memory or slow the disorder’s progression. Early diagnosis allows patients to adjust to the changes in behavior, moods, and personality triggered by Alzheimer’s disease.