Learn how to Navigate the Alzheimer's Journey.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and everyday activities. It's a type of dementia where abnormal changes in the brain, like plaques and tangles, lead to the loss of nerve cell connections and their eventual death, causing the brain to shrink.

Early signs include forgetfulness, difficulty remembering names or events, and as it progresses, communication and problem-solving become challenging. Though there's no cure, treatments exist to manage symptoms and support affected individuals and their families. Early diagnosis is crucial for better quality of life.

Stages of Alzheimer's

Signs

It is critical to recognize the signs of Alzheimer's disease for early intervention. Signs of a disease or condition are objective and observable indicators tested by medical professionals.

Signs of Alzheimer's include:

Difficulties with problem-solving
Challenges in completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time or place
Issues with language, such as repeating oneself
Changes in mood or personality
Withdrawal from social activities
Poor judgement

Symptoms

Alzheimer's disease has two main stages: early and late.

In the early stage, changes in the brain can happen long before noticeable signs appear. People might experience subtle issues like forgetting things occasionally, but these are hard to spot without detailed medical checks.

As Alzheimer's moves into later stages, symptoms become more obvious. This is when memory loss, poor judgment, and a decline in thinking abilities become more noticeable. Daily tasks may take longer, and vision problems can come up. Mood and personality changes, like increased anxiety or aggression, become more apparent. Detecting and addressing Alzheimer's early is key for better care and support.

Causes

Alzheimer's disease, the leading cause of dementia, is characterized by complex factors contributing to its onset. While less than 1% of cases are directly linked to specific genetic changes, the majority involve the abnormal accumulation of proteins in and around brain cells.

Amyloid deposits cause plaques to form
Tae deposits form tangles

Both of these contribute to the degeneration of brain tissue.

As these structural abnormalities progress, they lead to a decline in chemical messengers (particularly acetylcholine) which plays a crucial role in communication between nerve cells. This decrease in neurotransmitters results in the gradual deterioration of memory, thinking abilities, behavior, and social skills, all of which ultimately define the nature of Alzheimer's disease. Understanding these underlying causes is pivotal in developing effective strategies for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's.

Prevention

To lower the chances of getting Alzheimer's, you can make some simple lifestyle choices.

Try to stay active by doing regular exercise, like walking or gardening, to keep your brain healthy.
Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
It's also important to maintain a healthy weight, control blood pressure, and manage cholesterol levels.
Keep your brain busy with activities like reading or puzzles in your spare time, and stay connected with friends and family as often as possible.

While there's no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer's, taking care of your overall health through smart lifestyle choices will help support your brain health and lower the risk of Alzheimer's.

Treatments

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, however there are many treatments that aim to resolve the symptoms of those that experience the disease.

Alzheimer's treatment involves different approaches to help those with the disease. There are seven FDA-approved drugs that can ease symptoms by boosting brain chemicals like acetylcholine, which are important for memory and learning. Some treatments focus on tackling the root cause, like removing harmful amyloid plaques.

Besides medications, activities like physical and memory exercise, and enjoying music or art are helpful. Building and maintaining relationships, along with joining support groups, help patients navigate the side effects of Alzheimer's. For behavioral issues, antipsychotic medications may be used.