Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease Naturally

Introduction:

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive type of dementia. It is a condition that negatively affects behavior, thinking, and memory. These changes interfere with daily living. The commonest symptom of Alzheimer's disease is memory loss. Early signs involve difficulty organizing thoughts and remembering things. The person, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease lives up to four to eight years and can also live as long as 20 years, depending on different factors. Alzheimer's disease usually has no cure. The treatment options available can slow or reduce the worsening symptoms of dementia.

What Is Alzheimer Disease?

Alzheimer's is a type of progressive neurological disorder that causes brain cells to die and the brain to shrink. It was described in 1960 as a “peculiar disease” by German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer. It is one of the most common causes of dementia which results in a continuous decline in behavioral, thinking, and social skills that affects the ability of the person to function independently. The early stage of the disease involves forgetting the recent conversation and events. As the disease progresses, the person suffering from Alzheimer's disease develops severe memory impairment.

What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer Disease?

The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are as follows:

• Repetitive statement and questions.

• Forgetting appointments, conversations, or events.

• Routinely misplaced possessions.

• Forgetting the names of family members.

• Trouble in finding the right word to express thoughts or to identify objects.

• Difficulty in thinking and concentrating in everyday life.

• Unable to recognize and identify objects.

• Social withdrawal, mood swings, apathy, depression, distrust in others, changes in sleeping habits, wandering, delusion, and loss of inhibition.

• Decreased personal hygiene.

What Are the Causes of Alzheimer Disease?

The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown. At the initial level, the proteins of the brain fail to function normally, which disrupts the working of brain cells and triggers toxic events. Some studies suggest it is a combination of lifestyle, genetics, and environmental factors.

The damage due to Alzheimer's disease begins in the brain and controls the memory, but the process starts years before the appearance of the first symptom.

What Are the Stages of Alzheimer Disease?

The stages of Alzheimer's disease are as follows:

• Stage 1: No symptoms are seen in this stage.

• Stage 2: The initial symptoms appear, such as forgetfulness.

• Stage 3: Cognitive impairment and mild physical appearances such as reduced concentration and memory. Learning new skills becomes tougher.

What Are the Risk Factors of Alzheimer Disease?

• Age: Increased age is one of the greatest risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is most commonly seen in old age people.

• Family History and Genetics: Refers to rare changes in three genes inherited by the person to develop Alzheimer's disease.

• Down’s Syndrome: Down's syndrome efers to having three copies of chromosome 21 and the formation of beta-amyloid. Signs and symptoms usually appear 10 to 20 years earlier in people suffering from Down’s syndrome.

• Sex: Women are more prone to develop Alzheimer's disease.

• Mild-Cognitive Impairment: It is the decline in thinking or memory skills in a person.

• Head Trauma: A patient with a history of head trauma has a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

• Air Pollution: Burning wood and traffic exhaust are related to a greater risk of dementia.

• Excessive Alcohol Consumption: It is a known factor that causes brain changes.

• Poor Sleep Patterns: Such as staying asleep or difficulty falling asleep, are associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Lifestyle and Heart Health: Itcan be disturbed due to obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

What Are the Complications of Alzheimer Disease?

Language loss, impaired judgment, cognitive changes, and memory changes caused by Alzheimer's disease can lead to complications while treating it. As it progresses to the last stage, brain changes start to affect physical function and are associated with certain problems such as:

• Flu.

• Pneumonia (refers to inflammation of the air sac in one or both lungs filled with fluid).

• Falls.

• Fractures.

• Bedsores.

• Malnutrition or dehydration.

• Constipation (refers to bowel movement that becomes less frequent and stools that are difficult to pass)

• Diarrhea (refers to watery loose stool more than three times a day).

• Inhaling liquid or food into the lungs (aspiration).

How to Test Alzheimer Disease?

• There is no definitive test for Alzheimer's disease. However, physical, mental, emotional, and imaging tests can be done.

• The mental status test involves short-term memory, long-term memory, and orientation to time and place.

• Blood and urine tests are considered the standard tests to rule out the causes of symptoms.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can help identify key markers such as bleeding, structural issues, and inflammation.

• Neuropsychological testing is used to assess language, memory, attention, behavior, and personality.

• A lumbar puncture or spinal tap is used to check for amyloid proteins that form the tangles and plaques seen in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

• Computed tomography or CT scan uses an x-ray image that helps the doctor look for abnormal brain characteristics.

• A positron emission tomography scan is used to detect abnormal brain activity in individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease.

How to Prevent Alzheimer Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is usually a non-preventable condition. It causes dementia. The ways to prevent Alzheimer's disease are:

• Exercising regularly.

• Eating a diet that consists of foods low in saturated fat and healthy oil.

• Treatment guidelines to manage diabetes, high cholesterol, and blood pressure.

• Consulting the therapist to help stay active.

Conclusion:

Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia. The progression of the disease begins with mild memory loss. It involves the parts of the brain that control memory, language, and thoughts. A buildup of tangles and plaques in the brain, along with cell death, causes cognitive decline and memory loss. There has been no cure in recent times. The drugs can only help in reducing the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The management of Alzheimer's disease involves psychotropic management, such as antidepressants, beta-blockers, anxiolytics, antiepileptics drugs, and neuroleptic drugs.