Are you concerned about yourself or a loved one experiencing memory problems?

Alzheimer's disease can be a scary topic, but understanding the symptoms and causes is the first step.

Here at Karetrip, we want to empower you with knowledge. In this blog post, we'll explore the key signs of Alzheimer's and delve into what might be causing them.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease (pronounced “alz-HAI-mirs”) is a brain condition that causes a progressive decline in memory, thinking, learning and organizing skills.

It eventually affects a person’s ability to carry out basic daily activities. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s worsen over time. Researchers believe the disease process may start 10 years or more before the first symptoms appear. AD most commonly affects people over the age of 65.

What is The Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Dementia describes the state of a person’s mental function. It’s not a specific disease. It’s a decline in mental function from a previously higher level that’s severe enough to interfere with daily living.

A person with dementia has two or more of these specific difficulties, including a change or decline in:

• Memory
• Reasoning and handling of complex tasks
• Language
• Understanding visual form and space relationship
• Behaviour and personality

Dementia ranges in severity. In the mildest stage, you may notice a slight decline in your mental functioning and require some assistance on daily tasks. At the most severe stage, a person depends completely on others for help with simple daily tasks.

Dementia develops when infections or diseases impact the parts of your brain involved with learning, memory, decision-making or language. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for at least two-thirds of dementia cases in people 65 and older.

Other common causes of dementia include:

• Vascular dementia.

• Dementia with Lewy bodies.

• Frontotemporal dementia.

• Dementia due to Parkinson’s disease.

Who is Affected by Alzheimer's Disease?

People over 65 are primarily affected by Alzheimer's disease. The likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease increases with age beyond 65.

Alzheimer's disease can strike anyone younger than 65; most often, it strikes in their 40s or 50s. This type of Alzheimer's disease is known as early-onset. It is not common. Early-onset AD accounts for less than 10% of cases.

How Widespread is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's is a prevalent illness. About 24 million individuals worldwide are impacted by it. Nearly a third of those over 85 and one in ten over 65 suffer from the illness.

What Phases Does Alzheimer's Disease Go Through?

Organisations dedicated to Alzheimer's disease and medical professionals refer to the different stages of the disease using different terms depending on the symptoms.

Symptoms

Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer's disease. Early signs include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. But memory gets worse and other symptoms develop as the disease progresses.

At first, someone with the disease may be aware of having trouble remembering things and thinking clearly. As symptoms get worse, a family member or friend may be more likely to notice the issues.

Brain changes associated with Alzheimer's disease lead to growing trouble with:

Memory

Everyone has memory lapses at times, but the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease persists and gets worse. Over time, memory loss affects the ability to function at work or at home.

People with Alzheimer's disease may:

• Repeat statements and questions over and over.

• Forget conversations, appointments or events.

• Misplace items, often putting them in places that don't make sense.

• Get lost in places they used to know well.

• Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday objects.

• Have trouble finding the right words for objects, expressing thoughts or taking part in conversations.

Thinking and reasoning

• Alzheimer's disease causes difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers.

• Doing more than one task at once is especially difficult. It may be challenging to manage finances, balance chequebooks and pay bills on time. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer's disease may be unable to recognise and deal with numbers.

Making judgments and decisions

Alzheimer's disease causes a decline in the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments in everyday situations. For example, a person may make poor choices in social settings or wear clothes for the wrong type of weather. It may become harder for someone to respond to everyday problems. For example, the person may not know how to handle food burning on the stove or decisions when driving.

Planning and performing familiar tasks

Routine activities that require completing steps in order become a struggle. This may include planning and cooking a meal or playing a favorite game. Eventually, people with advanced Alzheimer's disease forget how to do basic tasks such as dressing and bathing.

Changes in personality and behavior

Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease can affect moods and behaviors. Problems may include the following:

• Depression.

• Loss of interest in activities.

• Social withdrawal.

• Mood swings.

• Distrust in others.

• Anger or aggression.

• Changes in sleeping habits.

• Wandering.

• Loss of inhibitions.

• Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen.

Preserved skills

Despite major changes to memory and skills, people with Alzheimer's disease are able to hold on to some skills even as symptoms get worse. Preserved skills may include reading or listening to books, telling stories, sharing memories, singing, listening to music, dancing, drawing, or doing crafts.

These skills may be preserved longer because they're controlled by parts of the brain affected later in the course of the disease.

Causes

Like all types of dementia, Alzheimer’s develops due to the death of brain cells. It is a neurodegenerative condition, which means that the brain cell death happens over time.

In a person with Alzheimer’s, the brain tissue has fewer and fewer nerve cells and connections, and tiny deposits, known as plaques and tangles, build up on the nerve tissue.

Plaques develop between the dying brain cells. They are made from a protein known as beta-amyloid. The tangles, meanwhile, occur within the nerve cells. They are made from another protein, called tau.

Researchers do not fully understand why these changes occur. Several factors may be involved.

Risk factors

Unavoidable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include:

• ageing

• having a family history of Alzheimer’s disease

• carrying certain genes

Other factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s include severe or repeated traumatic brain injuries and having exposure to some environmental contaminants, such as toxic metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals.

Modifiable factors that may help prevent Alzheimer’s include:

• getting regular exercise

• following a varied and healthful diet

• maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system

• managing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure

• keeping the brain active throughout life

FAQ

1. What are the early symptoms of Alzheimer's?

Difficulty remembering recent information, misplaced items, forgetting names, and struggling with words are common early signs. How does Alzheimer's progress?

As the disease advances, memory loss worsens, leading to confusion, disorientation, personality changes, and difficulty communicating.

2. What causes Alzheimer's?

The exact cause remains unknown, but age, genetics, and certain lifestyle factors may contribute.

3. Is there a cure for Alzheimer's?

Unfortunately, there's no cure yet. However, medications and therapies can manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

4. When should I see a doctor?

If you or a loved one experiences memory problems, confusion, or personality changes, consult a doctor for diagnosis and guidance.