What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

While Alzheimer’s disease is common enough that most people are aware of it, there are many misconceptions about Alzheimer’s that may cloud your understanding of this condition. For example, there is a widespread belief that dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease is a normal, unavoidable part of the aging process. However, this is simply not the case. Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of senile dementia—it accounts for up to 80% of all dementia cases. It’s also the 6^th-leading cause of death in the United States. Continue reading to gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s, as well as a look at ways you can become involved in the fight against this devastating disease.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is more than just forgetfulness caused by old age. It is a progressive condition that alters the structure of the brain and worsens over time. Currently, the effects of Alzheimer’s are better understood than the causes. Alzheimer’s disease triggers abnormalities in brain cell functions. These abnormalities eventually cause brain cells to become permanently damaged and die off. While researchers can see and study the progression of these changes, they have been unable to pinpoint what causes them or determine exactly when they start. It’s likely that there are microscopic changes present in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients well before symptoms of memory loss occur.

The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is age. Most people with the disease are 65 or older. However, about 200,000 Americans have early-onset Alzheimer’s, with symptoms presenting at a younger age.

What are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Symptoms will vary throughout the various stages of Alzheimer’s disease. For older adults, it’s important to look out for the early signs of Alzheimer’s, since most treatments currently focus on slowing the progression of the disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are 10 leading early signs of the disease to be aware of:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. In later stages of Alzheimer’s progression, memory loss is widespread. Early on, however, it’s common to forget recently learned information and increasingly rely on memory aids. More normal age-related memory loss may be something like forgetting an acquaintance’s name and remembering it later.
2. Diminished problem-solving capabilities. Dementia caused by Alzheimer’s can lead to difficulty working with numbers or solving problems. As a result, individuals struggling with the onset of dementia may have newfound difficulty managing household finances.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. It’s common for seniors to need a little help using a computer or setting up a smartphone. However, everyday tasks like driving to the grocery store or remembering the rules to a familiar board game should not be a challenge.
4. Confusion about time and place. Alzheimer’s can reduce a person’s sense of place, causing confusion about when events took place or what season it currently is.
5. Difficulty comprehending visual data. Balance, reading, and visual changes, such as difficulty assessing distance or determining contrast between colors, are common physical changes that can come with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
6. New challenges with speaking or writing. Conversation and writing may present new challenges as symptoms become more pronounced. Difficulty following a conversation, failure to remember the names of common objects, or continually repeating oneself can be indicators of Alzheimer’s.
7. Poor judgment. Decision-making skills are often affected by dementia. Poor financial judgment and less frequent personal grooming are common signs of the disease.
8. Misplacing items or being unable to retrace steps. It may be difficult to recall the events of the day, find household items, or retrace one’s steps even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.  
9. Withdrawal from social activities. Due to the combined effects of other symptoms, such as difficulty keeping up with conversations, it’s not uncommon for Alzheimer’s disease to lead to social withdrawal. There’s also a strong correlation between Alzheimer’s and depression.
10. Changes in mood and personality. Individuals with Alzheimer’s may have trouble controlling their mood due to more frequent feelings of fear or anxiety.

Treatments and Therapy for Alzheimer’s

The causes of Alzheimer’s are still not well understood. As a result, most treatments focus on reducing symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease. Cognition-enhancing medications may be prescribed to individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. However, ongoing therapy and lifestyle changes can be helpful as well. Many older adults struggling with dementia turn to therapy to cope with the negative feelings and loss of self-control that come with this progressive condition. In addition, therapy can encourage patients to make positive changes, like getting more regular exercise or social engagement.

Current Research Being Done on Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is devastating for both patients and their families. Because of the devastation it causes, this disease remains an active focus of scientific studies and medical research. Currently, the primary focus of research is on identifying the underlying processes in the brain that cause the disease, rather than simply managing symptoms as the disease progresses. Some of the goals of ongoing clinical trials include the following:

• Reduce inflammation in the brain.
• Gain a better understanding of brain structure to prevent the physical changes that occur due to Alzheimer’s.
• Identify the link between insulin resistance and dementia.
• Speed up the development of new medications.

How You Can Help

Here at Integrated Behavioral Health, we provide behavioral healthcare for many patients facing age-related issues, including Alzheimer’s disease. That’s why we’re partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association to raise money and awareness with The Longest Day 5K. Sponsorship opportunities are available to help fund vital research that will improve outcomes for countless patients and their families. Alzheimer’s disease is the most expensive disease in the United States, but your efforts can make a difference! The race takes place on April 10, 2021, at 8 a.m. CST, at Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville, Alabama. Whether you’re a sponsor or a runner, you can lend your support and help advance groundbreaking clinical research for a worthy cause.

Would you like more information about The Longest Day 5K or the patient-centered mental health services provided at the several Integrated Behavioral Health clinic locations throughout Alabama? Register here for the race or give us a call today at (855) 422-1618.