Alzheimer’s is a disease that slowly destroys the brain cells, reduces memory, and makes you forget your own thoughts. This is a disease that destroys your memory, thinking and social skills. Although senior citizens are the most affected by it, it could affect people of other age groups as well. There are no medicines yet that can completely cure the disease, however certain medications can reduce the severity.
Alzheimer’s has affected nearly 4 Crore 60 Lakh people World-wide. In America, it has affected nearly 54 Lakh people, and in India more than 40 Lakhs have been affected by Alzheimer’s dementia. According to the “Dementia in India” report 2020 issued by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India, it is expected to increase to 76 Lakhs by 2030. According to Dementia India 2010 report, 90% of dementia patients are never diagnosed or treated.
Awareness about Alzheimer’s is still low throughout the country, and still lower in rural and under-developed areas. Therefore it is important to spread awareness about the early symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Simply put, our country does not have enough memory clinics to diagnose dementia, and this lack of diagnosis leads to delayed treatment.
Alzheimer’s is a unique geriatric disease because the early symptoms of this disease are often mistaken for ageing. The symptoms start appearing after the age of 60, and there is the risk of the severity increasing with age. Researchers say that genetics and environment factors play a major role in increasing the severity of Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s affects parts of the brain associated with thought, memory and language and slowly degenerates. What starts as a slight loss of memory may ultimately lead to loss of communication and environmental awareness. This considerably impairs a person’s ability to perform daily tasks.
Although early symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary from person to person, memory problems are predominantly one of the early symptoms of the disease. Early signs of Alzheimer’s could be indicated by an inability to express oneself clearly, visual or external distraction, reduced cognitive skills including weak analysis and decision-making capabilities. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s, however not everyone with MCI develops Alzheimer’s.
Patients with Alzheimer’s find it difficult to perform simple tasks like driving a car, cooking, and paying bills. They may repeatedly ask the same questions. They may get easily distracted. They may misplace things, or place it in awkward places. They may get confused even while performing basic tasks. Some patients also exhibit behaviors like anxiety, anger or violence.
Currently treatment for Alzheimer’s focuses on preserving the mental functioning, treatment for the basic disease, and symptoms. Contact your doctor if you wish to know if your symptoms point to Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. R. Rajarajan, MBBS, MD, DM (Neurology) Kauvery Hospital, Trichy – Thennur
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
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