Alzheimer's Disease: What you must know

Alzheimer's disease is also simply called Alzheimer's, which is the most common cause of dementia, afflicting about 24 million people across the globe. Alzheimer's is a terminal and degenerative disease that is currently has no cure. It affects people over the age of 65. The disease will actually begin many years before it is diagnosed. In early stages, the most common symptom is short-term memory loss, often thought to be caused due to stress or aging. Later, other symptoms include anger, confusion, language breakdown, mood swings, long-term memory loss and later decline of senses. The sufferer loses minor, then major bodily functions and finally ends in death. Even though the symptoms are common, each individual experiences unique symptoms.

The duration of the disease is estimated to be 5 and 20 years. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease generally reported to a physician when there is a memory-loss; health specialists will prove the diagnosis with cognitive tests and behavioral assessment, mostly followed by a brain scan. The cause and progression of Alzheimer's disease is not understood well, but associated with tangles and plaques in the brain. Unfortunately there is no treatment to stop or reverse this disease, and it is not known if the current treatments slow its progression. Many preventative measures have been suggested for Alzheimer's, but their value is unproven in reducing its course and severity. Exercise, balanced diet and mental stimulation are often recommended, both prevention and as a sensible way of managing the disease. Due to its degenerative and incurable nature, care management of Alzheimer's is very important.

Different epidemiological studies have been proposed that relates between certain modifiable factors such as cardiovascular risk, diet, pharmaceutical products or intellectual activities among others. Only further research such as clinical trials will tell whether these factors will help to prevent the disease. The components of Mediterranean diet that include vegetables, fruits, wheat bread, cereals, olive oil, and red wine might individually or together reduce the risk and course of Alzheimer's. Even Vitamins like B, E and C and folic acid seem to reduce the risk of the disease. Although risk factors like hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and smoking are associated with higher risk of onset and course of Alzheimer's.

Sometimes long-term usage of NSAIDs - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with reduced likelihood of developing the disease in some individuals. Other pharmaceutical treatments like female replacement hormone therapy are no longer thought to prevent dementia, while a 2007 systematic review concluded that there was unconvincing and inconsistent evidence that ginkgo has positive effect on cognitive impairment. Intellectual activities such as playing chess, crossword puzzles or regular social interaction with friends and family, may also delay the onset or reduce Alzheimer's severity, bilingualism is also related to a later onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

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