Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, is a neurological condition that leads to the death of the brain cells, resulting in a decline in memory and thinking. While no cure exists, treatments and supportive care help manage the symptoms and slow the ailment’s progression. Around five million in our country are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and the number is expected to touch 13 million by 2050. However, it affects those over 65 and rarely younger people.

Causes
The precise cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known. But studies suggest it could occur due to the following reasons:

• Neuron damage
  Experts believe Alzheimer’s occurs due to two abnormal proteins in the brain. Scientists researching the disease call these proteins plaques and tangles. These proteins affect the neurons in the brain, causing them to lose the link with each other.
• Environmental factors
  Environmental factors could also increase the risk of this condition. For instance, one could develop the disorder due to excess aluminum in the body.
• Genetic changes
  In less than one percent of cases, specific genetic changes cause Alzheimer’s. In such instances, the condition starts in middle age and affects the brain region responsible for regulating memory. However, the patient shows no symptoms, and the ailment is diagnosed several years later.

Individuals in the high-risk groups should look out for the symptoms and undergo routine screening tests as the expert recommends to diagnose the disease early. The earlier Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, the better it can be managed.

Symptoms
Since it is a progressive condition, the symptoms become more severe over time. Memory loss is one of the main or first indicators, which sets in gradually over months or even years. The person might need immediate expert attention if memory issues develop over days or hours, as they may be at risk of stroke.

Broadly, Alzheimer’s disease symptoms include:

• Memory loss
  The person faces difficulty remembering names and events or retaining new information. As a result, they may get lost, wander, forget about appointments, and lose objects frequently.
• Cognitive deficits
  Patients with the disorder struggle with judgment, complex tasks, and reasoning. They find it hard to make decisions and experience difficulty completing tasks that have multiple stages.
• Recognition problems
  A person might become less capable of recognizing objects or faces and be unable to use simple tools like TV remotes. Such issues have nothing to do with vision problems.
• Difficulty writing, reading, and speaking
  A person might forget the meanings of words and make spelling, speech, and writing errors.
• Problems with spatial awareness
  The individual might struggle with balance, spilling things and tripping over flat surfaces. They may also have issues wearing clothes correctly while getting dressed.
• Behavioral or personality changes
  These changes include a loss of interest in an activity the patient typically enjoys. One may also feel worried, angry, or upset more often than before and show socially inappropriate, obsessive, or compulsive behavior.

While misplacing things and making silly spelling mistakes occasionally is normal, one should visit an expert if these symptoms persist.

Diagnosis
To diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors may inquire about the patient’s health and perform cognitive tests. If the expert believes the individual has the condition, they will refer them to a specialist, such as a neurologist, who may perform spinal fluid testing or brain scans to learn more about the problem. These examinations measure changes in brain protein levels and brain size.

Treatment and management
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and the condition is irreversible. However, treatment options help improve the patient’s quality of life and control the symptoms. For instance, the expert may recommend treatments to control cognitive symptoms like confusion, memory loss, poor judgment, and altered thought process. They may also try to slow the disorder’s progression and improve neural communication.

Behavior and emotional symptoms like restlessness, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, and irritability are usually tricky to manage. In such cases, doctors may recommend treatments that target the underlying causes of these signs. Sometimes, things like sleep issues and restlessness can be side effects of ongoing treatments or result from other health problems. Hence, it helps to understand what is causing the symptoms. For example, the trigger may be a new caregiver, an unfamiliar environment, or a lack of support with daily activities like bathing and dressing.

Besides treatment, individuals need assistance with everyday tasks. As a result, family members may have to spend more time with the patient or hire a caregiver. Since Alzheimer’s also affects the family emotionally, doctors recommend joining support groups for motivation and encouragement.