This November, take the time to learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there are over 6 million people living with Alzheimer’s Disease in the U.S., with 3 million new cases diagnosed each year, and the CDC estimates that amount will double by 2060.
Alzheimer’s dementia is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that occurs when nerve cells in the brain die, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. There are likely several factors that may contribute to your risk of getting it, but scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. It is a condition that impacts a person’s ability to think, remember, and perform daily activities. Symptoms typically appear after age 60, and the risk increases with age.
Though Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that mostly affects older people, it is not a normal part of aging.
Signs of Alzheimer’s Dementia vs. Normal Age-Related Memory Changes
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. One study revealed that nearly half of adults aged 40 and older believe they will likely develop some form of dementia. But many older people live their whole lives without developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Normal aging can include stiffening of arteries and vessels, weakening of bones and muscles, and some memory changes. It’s important to understand the difference between typical aging and the signs that warrant a talk with your family doctor.
Normal memory changes that may occur as you age include:
- Occasionally losing/forgetting your car keys.
- Forgetting the name of an acquaintance.
- Struggling to find the correct word to convey a thought.
- Trouble remembering names and dates.
While these changes may be subtle, they can be frustrating. However, they shouldn’t be pronounced enough to affect your daily life. With typical aging, your overall cognitive function and memory stay intact, including old memories, language, as well as life experience and knowledge.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s dementia is a progressive condition where symptoms can develop gradually over time. It can be hard to recognize or admit to possible signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. It’s often friends or family members who notice signs first. If you or a family member is experiencing the following symptoms, you should schedule a visit with a doctor.
While symptoms of dementia can vary widely from person to person, here are some things to look out for:
- Memory loss that impacts daily life.
- Trouble with routine tasks, such as getting dressed or taking medications.
- Slowed ability to learn or retain information.
- Trouble with language and speaking: slowed speech, trouble finding simple words.
- Poor judgment: making decisions that are inconsistent with past behavior.
- Delayed reactions
- Having trouble with complex mental tasks, such as organizing or planning.
- Changes to personality, thinking, or behavior
- Trouble with reading, writing, and numbers.
- Mood swings, depression, anxiety, or quick to anger.
- Confusion: getting lost, wandering, or forgetting the time or day of the week.
- Problems recognizing close friends or family
Although Alzheimer’s Disease can’t yet be halted or cured, early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance to live well with the disease and prepare for the future.
What’s Next…
If you or a loved one is experiencing dementia-like symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease provides opportunities for you and your family with more opportunities for treatment and care, greater access to clinical trials, and a better chance at preserving cognitive function.
Don’t just assume the worst. In the early stages of the disease, Alzheimer’s dementia can be challenging to diagnose because the signs can mimic other conditions. Your family doctor can help determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are related to dementia or more treatable conditions, such as a vitamin deficiency or a medication side effect.
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease
Though there is no one definitive lab test for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, there are several different ways to diagnose the disease. Your family doctor will do a physical exam, including a neurological exam that tests your reflexes, balance, muscle strength, and coordination.
In addition to a medical history review and the physical exam, your River Bend Medical Associates doctor can perform diagnostic tests on memory, attention, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities to see if there is cause for concern. Your physician may also order tests to help detect an underlying cause or rule out other health issues, such as blood tests, lumbar puncture, EEG, PET scan, MRI, or CT scan.
Doctors and scientists are working tirelessly to find better ways to treat Alzheimer’s dementia, delay its onset, and prevent it completely. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease; the goal of treatment is to maintain or improve cognitive and behavioral symptoms for as long as possible.
There are FDA-approved medications available that can help with some symptoms. There are also newer medicines that can help slow the decline in thinking and functioning. Most of these drugs work best for people in the early or middle stages of dementia, but they don’t work for everyone, and they may become less effective over time.
Lifestyle Choices and Alzheimer’s Disease
More research is needed before scientists cite specific ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. There are many factors that contribute to your risk, including genetics, environment, and lifestyle. You can’t change all of these factors, but there is strong evidence that suggests people can reduce their risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by making key lifestyle changes, including:
- Stay Active – Engage in regular physical activity, including activities that raise your heart rate and increase blood flow to your brain.
- Managing High Blood Pressure – Hypertension can damage blood vessels and limit blood flow to your brain, which can cause damage to your brain.
- Get Enough Sleep – Quality sleep is important for brain health.
- Eat a Balanced Diet – Eating a healthy diet including vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins, while avoiding overly processed foods, can help reduce your risk for many health issues, including cognitive decline.
- Prevent or Manage Diabetes – Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to too much sugar in the blood, which can cause damage to the brain.
- Stay Social – engaging in social activities can support preserved skills and abilities as well as help with overall well-being.
- Correct Hearing Loss – Hearing loss has been shown to be a risk factor for dementia.
- Avoid Smoking and Alcohol use – Smoking increases your risk of developing dementia, as does excessive alcohol use.
- Protect your head – Prevent brain injury by wearing a helmet for activities like bike riding or sports.
- Put your brain to work – Learn new things, try a new skill, indulge your artistic side. Studies have shown that cognitive training may improve cognitive ability.
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are chronic, progressive conditions that cause cognitive impairment severe enough to impact a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.
River Bend Medical Associates provides compassionate care for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Early detection may provide more treatment options, including medications that may slow the progression of the disease and improve symptoms and quality of life. Your doctor can help identify memory issues and treatment plans.
River Bend Medical Associates is ready to provide answers and guidance through Alzheimer’s disease testing and diagnosis. If you’re concerned about memory loss or dementia related symptoms in yourself or a loved one and would like to speak with one of our caring medical professionals, contact River Bend Medical Associates for an appointment. As part of your primary care team, we are here to provide you with the best care in all aspects of your healthcare needs. For more information on our medical practice, or to make an appointment, contact River Bend Medical Associates or call 916-392-4000.
