Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia (loss of memory) that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.
CAUSES:
The disease likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment.
Age
The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s and other dementias is increasing age, but these disorders are not a normal part of aging
Most individuals with the disease are 65 and older.
Family History
Those who have a parent, brother or sister with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease.
Genetics
Two categories of genes influence whether a person develops a disease: risk genes and deterministic genes.
Alzheimer’s genes have been found in both categories.
Other risk factors
Head injury:
There is a link between head injury and future risk of dementia. Protect your brain by buckling your seat belt, wearing your helmet when participating in sports, and “fall-proofing” your home.
Heart-head connection:
The risk of developing Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia appears to be increased by many conditions that damage the heart and blood vessels. These include heart disease, diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Overall healthy aging:
Overall healthy aging may help keep the brain healthy and may even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
These measures include eating a healthy diet, staying socially active, avoiding tobacco and excess alcohol, and exercising both the body and mind.
SYMPTOMS
Generally, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are divided into 3 main stages.
Early symptoms
In the early stages, the main symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory lapses.
For example, someone with early Alzheimer’s disease may:
• forget about recent conversations or events
• misplace items
• forget the names of places and objects
• have trouble thinking of the right word
• ask questions repetitively
• show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
• become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
Middle-stage symptoms
As Alzheimer’s disease develops, memory problems will get worse.
Someone with the condition may find it increasingly difficult to remember the names of people they know and may struggle to recognise their family and friends.
Other symptoms may also develop, such as:
• increasing confusion and disorientation
• obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour
• delusions or feeling paranoid and suspicious about carers or family members
• problems with speech or language
• disturbed sleep
• changes in mood, such as frequent mood swings, depression and feeling increasingly anxious, frustrated or agitated
• difficulty performing spatial tasks, such as judging distances
• seeing or hearing things that other people do not
Some people also have some symptoms of vascular dementia
By this stage, someone with Alzheimer’s disease usually needs support to help them with everyday living.
For example, they may need help eating, washing, getting dressed and using the toilet.
Later symptoms
In the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms become increasingly severe and can be distressing for the person with the condition, as well as their care -takers, friends and family.
Hallucinations and delusions may come and go over the course of the illness, but can get worse as the condition progresses.
Sometimes people with Alzheimer’s disease can be violent, demanding and suspicious of those around them.
A number of other symptoms may also develop as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, such as:
• difficulty eating and swallowing
• difficulty changing position or moving around without assistance
• weight loss – sometimes severe
• unintentional passing of urine or stools
• gradual loss of speech
• significant problems with short- and long-term memory
In the severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease, people may need full-time care and assistance with eating, moving and personal care.
Diagnosis
There is no single test for Alzheimer’s disease, so doctors will look at the signs and symptoms, take a medical history, and rule out other conditions before making a diagnosis.
They may also check the person’s neurological function, for example, by testing their balance, senses, and reflexes.
Others:
– Blood / urine test
– CT or MRI Scan of the brain,
– Screening for depression.
HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE:
Baryta Carb:
It can help those who are regressing into a fearful behavior, timidity with shyness and lack confidence. There is the loss of memory and some patients may suffer from chronic glandular disorders.
Natrum Sulph:
It can often bring relief to those who dwell on past hurts and unpleasant events, possibly the loss of a partner. They may feel sad and lonely, these people often have arthritic painful joints as well.
Nux Vomica:
Patients are often angry, quarrelsome and insensitive to other’s feelings; however, they themselves are extremely sensitive to everything and tend to abuse alcohol.
Alumina:
It is an excellent remedy for those who are confused with their identities, feel hurried yet are generally very slow in executing tasks while they think they didn’t take any time at all. They are often very constipated with small black pellets.
watch and share with your friends, elders and loved ones to keep them aware.
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For consultation & inquiry : 8866877070
Dr. Mansi Joshi
Asst. Physician – Tathya Homeopathic clinic