What is
Alzheimer’s disease?
Since 2012, World Alzheimer’s Month has been observed in
September. This month aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
اضافة اعلان
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative
disease that typically appears in individuals after the age of 60. Alzheimer’s
causes a broader umbrella of symptoms, dementia being one of the most
prominent.
The disease’s symptoms detriment health as they progress,
eventually affecting behavior, speech, and motor function — dementia results in
a decline in cognitive mental tasks such as memory and reasoning. Alzheimer’s
is the most significant cause of dementia, estimated to be responsible for
60–80 percent of all dementia cases.
Jordan is no stranger to the prevalence of Alzheimer’s
amongst its people. One study published earlier this year found that dementia
has an annual prevalence rate of 1.29 percent in individuals over the age of 65
in Jordan. Of those individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s was responsible for
73.8 percent of the cases, and men were disproportionally affected by 70.4
percent.
What does
Alzheimer’s look like in the brain?
The human brain is responsible for the vast majority of
functions in the human body. From movement to speech, spatial awareness to
memory, the brain is responsible for storing and relaying within the body and
outside of it.
In individuals with Alzheimer’s, damage to the brain is
present years before the onset of symptoms. Alzheimer’s is identified by
abnormal protein deposition forming plaques and tangles between neurons, which
disrupts cell function. This deposition ultimately results in the atrophy, or
cell death, of the brain cells resulting in the overall shrinking of the brain.
Although macroscopic evaluation of the brain is not
conclusive for diagnosis and microscopic analysis is needed, specialists can
diagnose Alzheimer’s with 90 percent accuracy in living patients through
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography scans (CT scans).
Symptoms of
Alzheimer’s
Some symptoms of Alzheimer’s overlap with those caused by
dementia, such as a noted decline in the ability to think and memory and
communication impairment; symptoms more specific to Alzheimer’s include
difficulty in remembering recent events, a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or
concern (apathy), depression, impaired judgment, confusion and disorientation,
behavioral changes, mood swings, and in advanced stages, difficulty speaking,
swallowing, or walking.
As of now, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However,
there are treatments to help manage symptoms through medication which aids in
alleviating behavioral changes, sleeping difficulties, and depression.
Risk factors
Although research behind understanding Alzheimer’s is
still relatively recent and developing, certain risk factors have been
established. Unfortunately, most of these factors are non-preventable.
Age is a predominant risk factor for Alzheimer’s,
typically for those over 60–65. Gender also plays a role as men are inherently
predisposed to Alzheimer’s. Additionally, a present family history of dementia
increases the risk of an individual developing Alzheimer’s later in life.
Evidence has also shown that illiteracy is another risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
Other risk factors include adult hearing loss, untreated depression, social
isolation, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Preventative
measures
The human brain can be compared to a muscle because it
requires active stimulus and exercise to stay healthy. This can take the form
of reading, learning new languages, or playing musical instruments.
Certain interactive games have also been found to help
improve cognition over a short period of time, although their long-term effects
have not yet been studied. Generally speaking, participation in the community
and introspective growth may help prevent or slow the progression of
Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, health professionals say that a healthy
body is a healthy mind, which holds true in the case of Alzheimer’s.
Cardiovascular diseases have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.
Taking preventative measures by improving your cardiovascular health can
ultimately reduce risk. Exercising, quitting smoking, and regulating your blood
pressure are all helpful in reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s later
in life.
How can you
help someone with Alzheimer’s?
Education is the first step in helping someone with
Alzheimer’s. Learning about the impacts of Alzheimer’s helps develop a level of
empathy and understanding as the disease progresses.
Patience is one of the most crucial ways to help.
Although Alzheimer’s affects the loved ones of those diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s, it is essential to remember that it impacts the individual far
more.
Al-Oun for Alzheimer’s Patient Care Association is an
organization based in Amman. It was founded in 2020, and it aims to provide
services such as caregiver meetings, educational events, an active helpline,
support groups, and more to assist those impacted by Alzheimer’s.
The association has been particularly active on their
Facebook page this month by posting informational info graphics on Alzheimer’s
to help spread awareness.
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