Alzheimer’s disease is a condition in which some cells in the brain are no longer functioning.
Alzheimer Definition
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition in which some cells in the brain are no longer functioning. As a result, the brain’s ability to decrease drastically.
In the early stages, people with Alzheimer’s usually often lose short-term memory. For example, forgetting or not being able to remember events that just happened. In addition, sufferers also often forget the names of places or objects that are often used.
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease will experience a severe decline in intellectual function. This will cause interference with daily activities and the social life of the sufferer.
Alzheimer’s disease occurs chronically and cannot be cured as usual. Until now, there is no drug that can cure people with Alzheimer’s disease 100%. How Alzheimer’s Changes the Brain According to National Institute on Aging.
The risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age. In general, this disease appears over the age of 65 years and more often affects women.
Alzheimer Complications
Some complications that can arise in people with Alzheimer’s disease / senile are:
1. Depression
2. Reluctant to carry out normal activities
3. Change in attitude and behavior
4. Changes in sleep patterns
5. Difficult to communicate
6. Withdrawing from family and environment
Alzheimer Diagnosis
Determination of the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease / senile can be done through a series of interviews and several examinations. The doctor will conduct an examination to assess the ability to remember, changes in attitude, the degree of memory impairment that occurs, to the cause of the complaint.
To assess the mental health of a patient, an MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) may be carried out. Additional examinations that may be done such as blood tests, MRI examinations, and CT-scan examinations.
Alzheimer Symptoms
Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease / senile include:
1. It’s easy to forget, even for things you do often or things you’ve done recently.
2. Sufferers often experience disorientation, especially for time problems.
3. Difficulty in complex cognitive functions, such as math or organizational activities.
If this condition continues, some complaints that can arise are:
1. Confusion and disorientation
2. Changes in attitude such as becoming more aggressive or becoming more suspicious
3. Hallucinations or delusions
4. Problems with speaking
5. Difficult to take action without help
Alzheimer Treatment
Therapy for Alzheimer’s disease/senility involves several aspects, such as:
1. Use of drugs. Classes of drugs commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s disease/senile are cholinesterase inhibitors (eg Donepezil), Memantine, antidepressants, to anti-anxiety and insomnia drugs.
2. Environmental therapy. In this case, it concerns how to make people with Alzheimer’s feel more comfortable. For example, by putting important things in life (wallet, keys) in the same place every day. Also, make sure people with Alzheimer’s carry their cell phones wherever they go.
3. Regular doctor checkups.
4. Lifestyle changes. Do exercise regularly and increase the patient’s daily nutritional intake. Some vitamins that can help with Alzheimer’s disease are Omega-3, curcumin, ginkgo, and vitamin E.
Alzheimer Prevention
Some things you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s disease / senile are:
1. Stop smoking
2. Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol
3. Consumption of high nutritional foods (containing vegetables and fruit)
4. Exercise at least 150 minutes a week
5. Have regular check-ups with the doctor
6. Activate your brain by reading a lot, writing, learning languages, playing a musical instrument, playing tennis, swimming, and walking.
Alzheimer Reason
Until now, the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known. However, there are several risk factors for this disease, namely:
1. Increasing age
2. Family history of Alzheimer’s disease
3. History of head injury
4. Lifestyle-related risk factors for cardiovascular disease
