Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, which refers to a collection of cognitive conditions that cause progressive damage to the brain. Alzheirmer’s is the most prevalent form of dementia in patients of advanced age, often causing memory loss, impulse control issues, confusion about time and place, and a deterioration in the ability to perform daily tasks and functions.
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1. Causes of Alzheimer’s disease
Researchers have yet to find the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease. One cause is a change in genetics, but this contributes to less than one percent of cases. Another known cause is the abnormal functioning of proteins which affect neurons. Here are a few other factors that researchers have linked to Alzheimer’s disease:
- Amyloid plaques are caused by beta-amyloid, a part of protein structures in the body. When beta beta-amyloid proteins form clusters, they negatively affect neuron communication in the brain.
- Tangles are formed by tau proteins which are part of the neurons. These proteins lead to a change in the shape of neurons, meaning they can no longer send messages.
- As the connections between neurons are disrupted, the brain becomes more damaged. This damage spreads over time, leading to common Alzheimer’s symptoms.
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2. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
The symptoms of this disease worsen over time. Here are some of the most common Alzheimer’s symptoms to look out for:
- Inability to make decisions, even those pertaining to everyday tasks.
- Difficulty concentrating while performing regular activities.
- Inability to differentiate between reality and hallucinations.
- Loss of memory of events that have recently taken place.
- Uncontrollable mood swings.
- Short-tempered and violent behavior.
- Confusion and absent-mindedness.
- Inability to solve problems and difficulty in dealing with numbers.
- Vision problems such as issues with gauging distance, driving, and reading.
- Speech-related problems such as choppy conversations, forgetting words, and repeating things.
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3. Risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease
As people age, the chances of developing Alzheimer’s are higher. Other high risk groups include:
- Women, who develop the disease because they have a longer lifespan than men
- People with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment)
- People with Down’s Syndrome
- People who have had severe head injuries
- People who have sleeping problems
Poor lifestyle habits can also contribute to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These risk factors include insufficient exercise, obesity, smoking, high levels of cholesterol, and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.
