Approximately 590,000 people are projected to have dementia by 2050 in Malaysia
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. It is the mostly commonly diagnosed form of dementia in older adults.
Dementia is not a part of normal ageing.
It is a medical condition that causes brain cells to die at a faster rate than normal. The cognitive decline leads to increasing difficulties in coping with everyday activities.
A common symptom is poor short-term memory. On average, a person with dementia lives four to eight years after diagnosis, but can live as long as 20 years.
1. What are the early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease?
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s can vary from one person to another. Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of the disease.
Decline in non-memory aspects of cognition, such as finding the right word, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also signal the early stages of Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe and include increased confusion and behavior changes
2. What are the stages of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease progresses in several stages:
- preclinical, early (also called mild)
- middle (moderate)
- late (severe)
During the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease, people seem to be symptom-free, but toxic changes are taking place in the brain. A person in the early stae of Alzheimer’s may exhibit the signs listed above.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses to the middle stage, memory loss and confusion grow worse, and people may have problems recognizing family and friends.
As Alzheimer’s disease becomes more severe, people lose the ability to communicate. They may sleep more, lose weight, and have trouble swallowing. Eventually, they need total care.
3. What causes Alzheimer’s Disease?
Age is the biggest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Most people with Alzheimer’s develop the disease when they are 65 or older, with less than 10% of cases occurring before then.
Research suggests that a host of factors beyond age and genetics may play a role in the development and course of Alzheimer’s. For example, there is significant interest in the relationship between cognitive decline and vascular conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure
4. Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Some sources claim that products such as coconut oil or dietary supplements can cure or delay Alzheimer’s. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several drugs to treat people with Alzheimer’s disease, and certain medicines and interventions may help control behavioral symptoms.
5. Is there a way to prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s Disease?
Scientists are very interested in the possibility that a healthy lifestyle might delay, slow down, or even prevent Alzheimer’s. They are also studying the role of social activity and intellectual stimulation in Alzheimer’s disease risk.
There are some risk factors, like age, that you cannot change. However, there may be ways to promote better brain health and reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s by addressing certain lifestyle factors, including:
- Unmanaged chronic health issues, such as high blood pressure or hearing loss
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy diet
- Alcohol misuse
- Smoking
- Not getting enough sleep or not sleeping well
- Social isolation
- Lack of mental stimulation
The symptoms of dementia progress over time and changes across the stages. It may be difficult to place a person with dementia in a specific stage as stages may overlap.
These stages help to provide some insight on the symptoms, how the abilities of our loved one change and possible care support needed.
Speak to us on how we can help with dementia care