According to Mayo Clinic, “Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that disrupts a person's ability to function independently”. There is no treatment that cures Alzheimer's or alters the process of the disease. In later severe stages of this disease — symptoms such as dehydration, chronic diarrhea, and infection — may result in death.
The main symptom that Alzheimer's is known for is memory loss. It is normal to misplace your keys or to forget what homework you had for a specific class. But the form of memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease worsens over time, leading to loss of brain function. People with this symptom may, repeat statements and questions over and over, forget conversations, appointments or events, and not remember them later, routinely misplace possessions, often putting them in illogical locations, getting lost in familiar places, forgetting names of close friends and family members, forgetting names of everyday objects, and having trouble expressing thoughts, emotions, or taking part in conversations.
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Alzheimer's disease also causes difficulty in thinking and reasoning, especially on concepts such as math or English. According to Mayo Clinic, “Multitasking is especially difficult, and it may be challenging to manage finances, balance checkbooks and pay bills on time. These difficulties may progress to an inability to recognize and deal with numbers”. Another symptom is making judgements or decisions. For example, a person with Alzheimer's disease may wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather. They may also make poor or uncharacteristic choices in a social interaction.
People with Alzheimer's disease may have sudden personality choices and behavior. Problems may include: depression, apathy, social withdrawal, mood swings, distrust in others, irritability and aggressiveness, changes in sleeping habits, delusions, such as believing something has been stolen, wandering, and loss of inhibitions.
There hasn’t been any exact causes of Alzheimer's disease identified yet, but scientists believe that the main cause is that brain proteins do not function properly, causing disruptions with the travelling neurons, leading to toxic events. Neurons are damaged, lose connections to each other and eventually die. The main two proteins that scientists are focusing on right now according to Mayo Clinic are, “Plaques. Beta-amyloid is a leftover fragment of a larger protein. When these fragments cluster together, they appear to have a toxic effect on neurons and to disrupt cell-to-cell communication. These clusters form larger deposits called amyloid plaques, which also include other cellular debris” and, “Tangles. Tau proteins play a part in a neuron's internal support and transport system to carry nutrients and other essential materials. In Alzheimer's disease, tau proteins change shape and organize themselves into structures called neurofibrillary tangles. The tangles disrupt the transport system and are toxic to cells”.
Age is a common factor in developing Alzheimer's disease. It is not guaranteed that you would develop the disease once you grow older, but chances of developing it are higher in the elderly. One study, for example, found that annually there were two new diagnoses per 1,000 people ages 65 to 74, 11 new diagnoses per 1,000 people ages 75 to 84, and 37 new diagnoses per 1,000 people aged 85 and older.
According to Mayo Clinic, “Your risk of developing Alzheimer's is somewhat higher if a first-degree relative — your parent or sibling — has the disease. Most genetic mechanisms of Alzheimer's among families remain largely unexplained, and the genetic factors are likely complex. One better understood genetic factor is a form of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE). A variation of the gene, APOE e4, increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease, but not everyone with this variation of the gene develops the disease. Scientists have identified rare changes (mutations) in three genes that virtually guarantee a person who inherits one of them will develop Alzheimer's. But these mutations account for less than 1 percent of people with Alzheimer's disease”. Also the sex of a person does not play a key factor in developing this disease, but studies have shown that females develop the disease more than males.
Lifestyle choices are also a cause of Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown that the same risk factors associated with heart disease may also increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. These include: lack of exercise, obesity, smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. These factors can be modified, though. Therefore, changing these factors could help lessen the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. For example, exercising regularly and having a diet that consists of less fats and sugars, could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases. This is the most common way of preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
It is best to see a doctor even when minor symptoms may occur, as it may help slow down the process and keep you more healthy and active.
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