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Living with Alzheimer’s is not for the faint-hearted, it takes a toll on both the patient and his or her family, draining them mentally, physically and emotionally. Alzheimer’s disease, a chronic ongoing condition is a progressive form of dementia, also referred to as senile dementia. Its symptoms come on gradually, and the effects on the brain are degenerative. It is especially common in people over the age of 65, and those with a family history of the condition are at a higher risk of developing this condition. However, there are many cases where people of working age have also been affected by this condition.
In India, more than 4 million people are estimated to be suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, making it the third in the world, after China and the US. India’s dementia and Alzheimer’s burden is forecast to reach almost 7.5 million by the end of 2030. And yet, a large portion of cases go undetected, as many Indians still consider memory loss as an inevitable part of ageing, rather than signs of a degenerative disease. As a result, it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, where the patient even forgets to carry out basic activities such as chewing, walking or passing stool and urine. At this stage, any treatment becomes futile.
Importance of Early Detection
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, early detection has known to introduce treatments that can slow the progression of the disease. One of the most intense areas of Alzheimer’s research involves treating people with early signs of Alzheimer’s with drugs that decrease the production of amyloid beta - a type of proteins that bunches together to form damaging plaques in the brain. According to some studies, people may begin to develop amyloid plaques in their brains at least 10 years before they develop any obvious symptoms of dementia.
One of the most common reasons for late detection is also the social stigma attached to Alzheimer’s, as it is often dubbed as ‘madness’ by ignorant masses, leaving patients to suffer silently. Early detection, therefore, becomes imperative for proper care and support for dementia patients to help live their lives with dignity in the face of this disease.
Recognizing the Signs
People with Alzheimer’s can bring harm to themselves in a very short span of time. From losing their way, to losing the ability to communicate, Alzheimer’s consumes the mind and body in a matter of months, at times. Therefore, keeping tabs on your loved ones’ behavior is imperative to their well-being and to detect any sort of dementia.
People with Alzheimer’s disease display certain ongoing behaviors and symptoms that worsen over time. Here are some signs to watch out for:
? Forgetfulness: Forgetting conversations with family members as recent as a week, and refusing to acknowledge that they forgot is one telltale sign of Alzheimer’s patients.
? Losing your way: Sometimes, forgetting your way while driving, or even your destination, especially a familiar one, can be a troubling sign of Alzheimer’s.
? Losing interest in social interactions: Alzheimer’s patients face difficulty following conversations with friends or relatives, and prefer to reduce social interactions to a minimum.
? Depression: Apathy is resulting condition of Alzheimer’s which makes patients lose motivation to even get out of bed and indulge in their hobbies.
? Sleeplessness: Daytime tiredness, and not being able to sleep at night is a sign of Alzheimer’s disease in the spinal fluid, especially if paired with memory lapses.
? Lack of decision-making: People with Alzheimer’s can’t seem to make up their mind and often show poor judgement, and cannot reach a decision.
? Delusional: Sometimes when people start believing things that are untrue or mumble incoherently, feel paranoid or suspicious around family members, they need to be checked.
The early signs of dementia are very subtle and vague and may not be immediately obvious. As the disease progresses however, these symptoms start to become more obvious and severe. Besides cognitive testing, a physical examination may include tests of the senses, movement, and heart and lung function, and in some cases, a spinal fluid sample may also be collected. This is usually followed by brain imaging and a psychiatric assessment. While people might resist going to the doctor for a medical assessment, there several strategies that can help to make this process easier. A calm, caring attitude at this time can help overcome your loved one’s worries and fears.
(The writer is co-founder of Care24, a company that provides healthcare at home. Views expressed are personal)