Understanding Alzheimer's Disease Insights and Support

11/06/2023

 

Living with Alzheimer's disease is very difficult. People in their early stages can experience loss of motor functions and memory. Eventually, they are unable to live independently, and towards the end, they require help with all their daily activities. The progression of Alzheimer's disease varies on the onset of the condition, whether it's early or late onset. Most people live for around 4-8 years after being diagnosed, but some also live up to 20 years after their diagnosis. According to a well-known Alzheimer's association, around 5.8 million are living with the Alzheimer's condition in the US. They also found that about 1/10 people above the age of 65 years have this condition, and almost 1/3 above 85 years old have it. To help yourself or your loved ones during this difficult journey, you can get Alzheimer's Medication Online at our pharmacy at a discounted rate.

Risk Factors Of Alzheimer's Disease

There are a few factors that are known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, but that doesn't mean that a person is prone to Alzheimer's if they have the risk factors.

Below are some risk factors that you can't control:-

• Family History – People with a history of Alzheimer's in their family are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

• Genetics – Researchers have found that a few genetic changes also tend to increase the risk. It is still not known how genetics affect or increase the risk, but there are a few changes that lead to Alzheimer's.

• Age – It is not a very normal part of aging, but it has become prevalent among people above the age of 65 years.

• Gender – Men are less likely to develop Alzheimer's than women.

• Down Syndrome – People with Down syndrome are prone to get Alzheimer's about 10-20 years earlier than others with the same disease.

• Race and Ethnicity – Black and Latino people have 2 and 1.5 times the risk than white people respectively of developing Alzheimer's.

Below are some mind-blowing tips that can help lower your risk :

• Have a good sleep schedule, and get enough sleep.

• Maintain a healthy body weight.

• Exercise regularly.

• Quit smoking

• Eat a diet full of vegetables and fruits.

• Spend quality time with family and friends.

Stages with their Symptoms for Alzheimer's Disease

Early Stage

The first few things that people notice in their early stages are problems like forgetfulness and confusion. These signs seem to look like a normal part of aging, and you are able to do most of your daily activities like work, drive, and socialize with other people. To check if you are in the early stage, check the below given early-stage signs and symptoms:

• Being confused with some daily activities, like not being sure how to get back home after a normal day at work.

• Not being able to remember the names of people and places.

• Loss of social skills.

• Having trouble doing everyday things that you were able to do easily before, like cooking a meal or playing a board game with family.

• A shift in personality, like not being able to control your emotions.

Moderate stage

During the moderate stage, people might start requiring more care and help. They should be kept under supervision as they begin having problems that may interfere with their daily activities. The signs and symptoms of the moderate stage mentioned below can last a lot longer than the early stage and go on for many years:

• Not able to perform daily activities without supervision or little help

• Unable to remember personal life-related events and even current events

• Unable to judge the situation and perceive danger.

• Start mispronouncing words and becoming confused while speaking or comprehending words.

• Experience anger, aggression, depression, and agitation.

• Delusions and hallucinations

• Withdrawing oneself from social life.

Last stage

People in the last stage of Alzheimer's face a lot of problems and need constant help to perform their daily activities. They are not able to comprehend or able to respond, or converse with people around them. Check out the signs and symptoms faced during the last stage of Alzheimer's below:

• Not able to communicate properly.
• Not able to recognize their family members.
• Unable to control bowel movements and bladder.
• Unable to do daily activities like bathing, eating, and dressing.

Bottom Line

If you or someone you know is experiencing persistent or declining memory loss or other signs of Alzheimer's, it's essential to see a healthcare professional for a complete exam. To understand Alzheimer's disease, it's important to recognize its signs and symptoms in each stage. Speaking with your doctor about your treatment plan can aid in slowing symptoms, maintaining mental function, and staying independent for an extended time. While treatments may only control symptoms for a limited duration, the use of cholinesterase inhibitors can help improve communication among neurons and control symptoms related to thinking and behavior. Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon) taken as a patch, and memantine and donepezil (Namzaric) are medications recommended by doctors for the moderate stage of Alzheimer's. Namenda (memantine) is a drug that sustains brain functions such as attention, memory, and language in the later stages of Alzheimer's Disease. It can also make daily activities easier. However, it's important to note that some particular sleep, anti-anxiety, antipsychotic, or cheap Alzheimer's drugs may be unsafe for people with this disease. Always consult your doctor before taking any new medicines.