DISEASES TREATED AT THE MAGWISE CLINIC
"Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common types of dementia (60-80% of cases)" (1), an umbrella term for loss of memory and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is estimated that approximately 50 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, only 25% of those suffering from Alzheimer's disease are diagnosed.
There is probably no single cause, but several factors that may influence the development of Alzheimer's disease, such as genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.
Research shows that in the brain of a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease, we can observe the deposition of proteins such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which is associated with chronic inflammation and deterioration of blood circulation in the brain. As a consequence of these changes, connections are lost and nerve cells die. At the beginning of the disease, this process takes place in the brain structures responsible for memory and then also affects other areas.
- Age Age is the most significant known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. It should be emphasized here that Alzheimer's disease is not a stage of typical aging. However, with age, the risk of its occurrence increases.
Research has shown that there are four new diagnoses for every 1,000 people aged 65 to 74 each year. Among people aged 75 to 84, there were 32 new diagnoses per 1,000 people. For people aged 85 and over, there are 76 new diagnoses per 1,000 people.
- Family history and genes The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is slightly higher if a first-degree (line) relative - a parent or sibling - has the disease. How genes in a family influence the risk of Alzheimer's is complex. Approximately 25% to 30% of the population carries the APOE e4 gene. However, not all people with this form of the gene develop the disease.
- Down syndrome Many people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer's disease. This is probably due to having three copies of chromosome 21. Chromosome 21 is a gene involved in the production of a protein that leads to the formation of beta-amyloid. Importantly, symptoms of Alzheimer's disease usually appear 10 to 20 years earlier in people with Down syndrome than in other people.
- Gender On average, more women suffer from this disease, but it is a matter of age, because they live statistically longer than men.
- Mild cognitive impairment People with mild cognitive impairment have a decline in memory and other cognitive skills.
However, these people have a significant risk of developing dementia. Early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment is important as it gives people the chance to implement lifestyle changes and develop strategies to reduce their risk. They can also schedule regular medical appointments to monitor symptoms and treatment.
- Head Injury Studies have shown that people aged 50 years or older who suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) had an increased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This risk is even higher in those with more severe and multiple TBIs. Some studies have shown that the risk may be greatest in the first six months to two years after injury.
- Air pollution Studies have shown an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, in people exposed to air pollution - especially road exhaust and wood burning.
- Excessive alcohol consumption It has long been known that drinking large amounts of alcohol adversely affects the brain. A number of studies have shown that alcohol use disorders have been linked to an increased risk of dementia - particularly early onset dementia.
- Poor sleep Studies have shown that sleep problems, or sleep disorders, are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- Lifestyle and heart health Risk factors associated with heart disease can also increase the risk of dementia. These include:
Therefore, changing lifestyle habits can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- Cognitive (mental) activity
Research has shown that social contact and engaging in mind-stimulating activities can lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease usually starts with short-term memory loss. Short-term memory is a crucial and extremely important step for any part of our behaviour. Most of us experience some form of short-term memory loss throughout our lives, such as frequently forgetting where we parked our car. However, the short-term memory loss seen in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease is much more severe. Information retrieval fails even when cues are used and progressive memory loss occurs over time. Normal memory loss does not show progressive deterioration, or if it does, it is not as rapid as that observed in Alzheimer's disease.Approximately 50% of patients with Alzheimer's disease may develop psychotic symptoms, hallucinations and delusions.
The following stages give a general idea of the course and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, a person can function independently. He or she can still drive, work and participate in social life. Nevertheless, the patient may experience memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or the location of everyday objects.
Symptoms may not be commonly seen at this stage, but family and close friends may notice, and the doctor will be able to identify symptoms using specific diagnostic tools.
Typical difficulties include:
Middle stage dementia is usually the longest phase, and can last for many years. As the disease progresses, a person with Alzheimer's will require a higher level of care.
In the middle stage of Alzheimer's disease, the symptoms of dementia are more pronounced. The person may confuse words, become frustrated or angry and behave in unexpected ways, such as refusing to bathe. Damage to nerve cells in the brain can also make it difficult for a person to express thoughts and perform routine tasks without assistance.
Symptoms, which vary from person to person, may include
In the middle stage, a person with Alzheimer's disease can still participate in daily activities with assistance. It is important to find out what the person can still do or find ways to simplify tasks.
People in this stage of the disease lose the ability to respond to their surroundings, carry on a conversation and eventually control their movements. They may still speak words or phrases, but communicating pain becomes difficult. As memory and cognitive abilities deteriorate further, significant personality changes may occur and individuals require intensive care.
At this stage, patients can:
Alzheimer's disease leads to a gradual loss of the ability to function independently. In addition, people with advanced Alzheimer's disease may stop eating and drinking, leading to cachexia, which increases the risk of infections and other health complications. Often it is these complications, such as pneumonia, which are the direct cause of death in Alzheimer's patients. The most common cause of death in Alzheimer's patients is pneumonia. This occurs when, due to swallowing difficulties caused by the disease, a person inadvertently inhales food particles, fluids.
Understanding, patience and appropriate medical care can make a significant difference to the quality of life of patients and their families during the difficult time that Alzheimer's disease brings.
On average, people with Alzheimer's disease live between three and 11 years after diagnosis. However, some live 20 years or longer. The severity of the disease at the time of diagnosis can affect life expectancy. A very important factor is the introduction of treatment. Innovative methods can significantly improve the therapeutic process.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, but there are treatments that can affect the progression of the disease, as well as pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods that can help manage symptoms.
- Pharmacotherapy To alleviate symptoms and delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease, the physician may prescribe pharmacotherapy. Examples of medication may include: a cholinesterase inhibitor (e.g. donepezil, rivastigmine) or memantine.
Depending on the progression of the disease and the accompanying symptoms, the following may also be recommended
- Neurostimulation of the brain with TPS transcranial pulse stimulation: there are many scientific reports showing improvements in brain function and mood in dementia from Alzheimer's disease. We describe this method in detail here
- Cognitive rehabilitation, i.e. cognitive enhancement, occupational therapy, movement therapy or speech therapy, can help to maintain cognitive skills, improve functioning and daily activities.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - can be offered if a person develops depression or anxiety. It is most useful in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
- Lifestyle optimisation, the introduction of healthy habits such as physical activity, a balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and control of risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes, can have a beneficial effect on brain function and overall health.
- Social and psychological support from family, carers and support groups can play an important role in caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. This can help both the patient and carers cope with emotional and practical challenges.
- Memory training, life history - involves encouraging the person to record their life experiences and memories. As the dementia progresses, the person may also like to talk about their past using things such as photos, familiar objects or music.
