WHAT IS ALZHEIMER'S?

Alzheimer's is a type of dementia. It is a disease that begins with mild memory loss and ultimately affects memory ,thinking and behavior.

Alzheimer's disease is named after Dr.Alois Alzheimer. In the year 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who died due to an unusual mental illness.

memory loss

Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. The risk factor is increasing age and the major portion of people are 65 and above. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease in which as time passes by the dementia symptoms worsen over a number of years.

According to researchers genetics may play a role in developing Alzheimer's disease. Changes in the brain begin years before the first symptoms started.

HOW THIS DISEASE AFFECTS THE BRAIN?

During the early stage of this disease, changes take place like an abnormal build-up of proteins which form amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Healthy neurons stop functioning, lose connection with other neurons and die.

At first, damage appears to take place in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex, which are parts which is essential for forming memories. As more neurons die further parts of the brain get affected and tissue gets shrunk.

SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

The memory problem is a typical symptom and also a warning sign. The decline in nonmemory cognition like impaired reasoning or judgment signals the early stage of this disease.

STAGES OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Mild Alzheimer's disease-People experience greater memory loss and other cognitive difficulties.Problems like wandering and getting lost, personality ,and behavior changes. Diagnosis is often done in this stage.

Moderate Alzheimer's disease- Damage is done in the area of the brain which controls language, reasoning , consciousness, thought, and sensory processing like the ability to detect sound and smell. Memory loss and confusion worsen in this stage.

Severe Alzheimer's disease- Plaques and tangles spread throughout the brain and tissue shrink significantly. People at this stage cannot communicate and their life depends on others for care. In other words, the body shuts down.

There is no permanent cure for this disease but medication and management strategies could help in temporarily improving the symptoms.