Introduction
As time goes by, people are more likely to encounter memory problems. This can be both a natural sign of aging or illness. In most cases, cognitive changes that are connected with growing older do not cause serious problems in daily life. However, if lapses in memories begin to occur more often until the point where a patient cannot remember even simple factors, this may be a serious symptom. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a serious medical problem, being the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. The purpose of this study is to analyze symptoms, risk factors, the diagnostic process, and current methods of treatment since these disorders are frequent among the population and need further research.
Symptoms
Every patient experiences AD and dementia differently; however, there is a number of common symptoms. The first noticeable signs are usually and mistakenly associated with growing older or stress. Nevertheless, it is common that at the early stages, one cannot remember recently memorized information. Throughout the development of the disease, various symptoms appear, such as confusion, irritability and aggressiveness, mood swings. In addition, a patient may also lose the ability to speak and understand what has been said. After that, long-term memory can also disappear, and a patient loses interest in any activities as his or her consciousness fades. During this time, a brain, as well as a personality, goes through a process of gradual changes. From an independent person, a patient turns into someone who needs help in everything.
Risk Factors
First of all, old age is a major risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease since most patients are at least 65 years old. Although much less common, there are some cases when this disorder can start to develop before this age and even among young people. In addition, the risk of getting Alzheimer’s and dementia can be increased by suffering moderate to severe head injuries. They include blows to the head or other skull traumas that result in loss of memory or consciousness for more than 30 minutes.
Another vital risk factor that contributes to this development is having cardiovascular pathologies, which are the second most common cause of dementia among the elderly. This can be explained by the fact that through the bloodstream, the brain receives oxygen and nutrients that are necessary for normal functioning. In addition, vascular biomarkers of AD/dementia risk are also present “in prediabetic and insulin-resistant adults” (Snyder et al., 2015, p. 714). The heart is responsible for the flow of blood to the brain; therefore, the factors that lead to cardiovascular disease may be related to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s (Bos et al., 2017, p. 38). They include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
Researchers have differentiated views about the impact of brain activity on youth. For instance, Tom et al. (2015) note that more highly educated people “may have a greater cognitive reserve that delays reaching the threshold at which cognitive impairment is detectable” (p. 410). However, there is also a common opinion that finds a link between the absence of higher education and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. While there is no obvious reason for this association, it can be assumed that learning may help strengthen the connection between neurons, which decreases the risk.
Diagnosis
While examining a patient, a doctor usually analyzes behavior and performs a series of cognitive tests. In some cases, magnetic resonance imaging is performed for analyzing brain activity. The clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is usually based on the patient’s family’s clinical history, as well as clinical observations. Medical staff should take into account the neurological and neuropsychological signs and exclude alternative diagnoses. However, the process of individual prognosis is difficult due to variations in the duration of the disease. In other words, Alzheimer’s can develop for a long time before symptoms become visible, and a diagnosis is made. Unfortunately, there is currently no full understanding of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease, and further research is needed.
Treatment
Modern methods of treatment only slightly alleviate the symptoms, but so far, they are not capable of slowing down or stopping the development of the disease. It means that currently, Alzheimer’s cannot be cured by available therapies. However, there are several interventions that can be implemented, including pharmacological, psychological, and methods that are related to general patient care. For this reason, it can be assumed that it would be best to try to perform preventive actions in order to postpone the development of dementia. For instance, taking care of vascular pathologies is considered to be effective since it contributes to “overall brain health in both cerebrovascular disease and neurodegenerative disease” (Weller & Budson, 2018, para. 8). One of the therapy methods is the antihypertensive treatment that might “reduce the risk of dementia and AD by decreasing blood pressure or by specific neuroprotective effects” (Larsson & Markus, 2018, p. 666). Moreover, a proper diet, medication, and mental activities, such as reading, can help older patients.
As for pharmacological interventions, there are several suggestions that can improve a patient’s condition. Donepezil is one of such drugs, which belongs to central acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and also has minimal side effects that have an impact on the gastrointestinal system. According to clinical trials, “there is moderate‐quality evidence that people with mild, moderate or severe dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease treated for periods of 12 or 24 weeks with donepezil experience small benefits in cognitive function” (Birks & Harvey, 2018, p. 668). In addition, donepezil therapy allows families of patients to reduce the cost of treatment. However, while considering treatment with donepezil, it is important to remember that this medicine should be taken on an ongoing basis. The reason for this is the increased risk of cognitive and behavioral disorders that can occur if a patient stops therapy.
Alzheimer’s and dementia are diseases that should be treated seriously on a global scale. Researchers continue to look for ways to improve therapy for patients since, currently, they are incurable. There is a clear need for research regarding methods that can prevent the destruction of neural connections in the brain, which is caused by Alzheimer’s. In addition, aside from proceeding with studies, medical professionals need to provide support services and interventions that can improve the quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. It is important to continue providing care so that people with dementia can enjoy life with a clear mind. Nevertheless, treating symptoms, as well as caring for patients, is hard. For this reason, it would be more effective to implement preventive methods before memory lapses, and cases of disorientation become more frequent.
References
Birks, J. S., & Harvey, R. J. (2018). Donepezil for dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. Cochrane Database of systematic reviews, (6). Web.
Bos, I., Vos, S. J., Frölich, L., Kornhuber, J., Wiltfang, J., Maier, W., & De Roeck, E. E. (2017). The frequency and influence of dementia risk factors in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. Neurobiology of Aging, 56, 33-40. Web.
Larsson, S. C., & Markus, H. S. (2018). Does treating vascular risk factors prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 64(2), 657-668. Web.
Snyder, H. M., Corriveau, R. A., Craft, S., Faber, J. E., Greenberg, S. M., Knopman, D.,… & Schneider, J. A. (2015). Vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia including Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 11(6), 710-717. Web.
Tom, S. E., Hubbard, R. A., Crane, P. K., Haneuse, S. J., Bowen, J., McCormick, W. C.,… & Larson, E. B. (2015). Characterization of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in an older population: Updated incidence and life expectancy with and without dementia. American Journal of Public Health, 105(2), 408-413. Web.
Weller, J., & Budson, A. (2018). Current understanding of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and treatment. F1000Research, 7. Web.