Alzheimer's Disease - NCDPC

How many suffer?

11 million people suffer worldwide.

About 5% of people reaching 65 are affected.
15-25% of people reaching 85 are affected.
Late stage of disease requires one total dependence and inactivity representing an
enormous burden on family and health care delivery.
What are the risk factors?

Age. Alzheimer's usually affects people older than 65, but can rarely, affect those
younger than 40. The average age at diagnosis is about 80. Less than 5 percent of
people between 65 and 74 have Alzheimer's. For people 85 and older, that number
jumps to nearly 50 percent.
Heredity. Your risk of developing Alzheimer's appears to be slightly higher if a
first-degree relative -parent, sister or brother - has the disease.
Sex. Women are more likely than men are to develop the disease, in part because
they leave longer.
Lifestyle. The same factors that put you at risk of heart diseases, such as high
blood pressure and high cholesterol, may also increase the likelihood that you'll
develop Alzheimer's disease. And, keeping your body fit isn't your only concern -
you've got to exercise your mind as well.
Head injury. The observation that some ex-boxers eventually develop dementia leads
to the question of whether serious traumatic injury to the head (for example, with
a prolonged loss of consciousness) may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is the loss of
intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with daily
functioning. Dementia occurs in people with Alzheimer's disease because healthy
brain tissue degenerates, causing a steady decline in memory and mental abilities.
Increasing and persistent forgetfulness, especially of recent events or simple
directions, what begins as mild forgetfulness persists and worsens. People with
Alzheimer's routinely misplace things, often putting them in illogical locations.
They frequently forget names, and eventually, they may forget the names of family
members and everyday objects.
Difficulties with abstract thinking. People with Alzheimer's may initially have
trouble balancing their checkbook, a problem that progresses to trouble recognizing
and dealing with numbers.
Difficulties finding the right word to express thoughts or even follow
conversations. Eventually, reading and writing also are affected.
Disorientation to time and dates. They may find themselves lost in familiar
surroundings.
Loss of judgment. Solving everyday problems, such as knowing what to do if food on
the stove is burning, becomes increasingly difficult, eventually impossible.
Difficulties performing familiar and routine tasks that require sequential steps,
such as cooking, become a struggle as the disease progresses. Eventually, forget
how to do even the most basic things.
Personality changes. People with Alzheimer's may exhibit mood swings. They may
express distrust in others, show increased stubbornness and withdraw socially.

What can be done?

Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease.

General treatment approach to patient is to provide supportive medical care,
pharmacological treatment for specific symptoms, including disruptive behavior, and
emotional support for patients and their families.
What causes it?

There is destruction of brain cells disrupting the transmitters that carry the
messages in the brain, particularly those responsible for storing memories.
The cause of the destruction remains of the cells unknown.
Studies show that genetic factors play part in the development of the disease.
The neurotransmitters 'acetylcholine' and 'norepinephrine' are hypothesized to be
hypoactive in Alzheimer's disease.
What is it?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is the loss of
intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with daily
functioning. Dementia occurs in people with Alzheimer's disease because healthy
brain tissue degenerates, causing a steady decline in memory and mental abilities.