Many older people worry about becoming more forgetful. They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease. In the past, memory loss and confusion were considered a normal part of aging. Most people remain both alert and able as they age, although it may take them longer to remember things.
The term dementia describes a group of symptoms that are caused by changes in brain function. Dementia symptoms may include asking the same questions repeatedly; becoming lost in familiar places; being unable to follow directions; getting disoriented about time, people, and places; and neglecting personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition. Alzheimer’s disease is one of many types of dementia.
The two most common forms of dementia in older people are Alzheimer’s disease and multi-infarct dementia (sometimes called vascular dementia). These types of dementia are irreversible, which means they cannot be cured. In Alzheimer’s disease, nerve cell changes in certain parts of the brain result in the death of a large number of cells. As the disease progresses, symptoms range from mild forgetfulness to serious impairments in thinking, judgment, and the ability to perform daily activities. Eventually, patients may need total care.
In multi-infarct dementia, a series of small strokes or changes in the brain’s blood supply may result in the death of brain tissue. The location in the brain where the small strokes occur determines the seriousness of the problem and the symptoms that arise. Symptoms that begin suddenly may be a sign of this kind of dementia. People with multi infarct dementia are likely to show signs of improvement or remain stable for long periods of time, then quickly develop new symptoms if more strokes occur. In many people with multi-infarct dementia, a stroke from high blood pressure is to blame.
There are a number of diseases that cause the symptoms of dementia as a result of the changes they have on the brain and the ultimate loss of nerve cells (neurons). The most common causes include:
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Vascular disease
• Alcohol-related dementia
• AIDS-related dementia
Currently, no definitive diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s exists. A definite diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is possible only after death, when a pathologist can more closely examine a patient’s brain for the telltale changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
It is important to remember, however, that there are causes of dementia other than Alzheimer’s disease that may be preventable such as eating properly, exercising, quitting smoking, and limiting how much alcohol you drink.
Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:
• Impaired memory and thinking. The person has difficulty remembering things or learning new information. In the later stages of the disease, long-term memory loss occurs, which means that the person can’t remember personal information, such as his or her place of birth or occupation, or names of close family members.
• Disorientation and confusion. People with Alzheimer’s disease may get lost when out on their own and may not be able to remember where they are or how they got there. They may not recognize previously familiar places and situations. They also may not recognize familiar faces or know what time of the day it is, or even what year it is.
• Misplacing things. The person forgets where he or she put things used every day, such as glasses, a hearing aid, keys, etc. The person may also put things in strange places, such as leaving their glasses in the refrigerator. (This includes even the forgetful act of wearing mismatched shoes or socks!!!)
• Abstract thinking. People with Alzheimer’s disease may find certain tasks — such as balancing a checkbook — more difficult than usual. For example, they might forget what the numbers mean and what needs to be done with them. Trouble performing familiar tasks. The person begins to have difficulty performing daily tasks, such as eating, dressing, and grooming. Planning for normal day-to-day tasks is also impaired.
• Changes in personality and behavior. The person becomes unusually angry, irritable, restless, or quiet. At times, people with Alzheimer’s disease can become confused, paranoid, or fearful.
• Poor or decreased judgment. People with Alzheimer’s disease may leave the house on a cold day without a coat or shoes, or could go to the store wearing their pajamas.
• Inability to follow directions. The person has difficulty understanding simple commands or directions. The person may get lost easily and begin to wander.
• Problems with language and communication. The person can’t recall words, name objects (even ones that are very familiar to them — like a pen), or understand the meaning of common words.
• Loss of normal sleep patterns. The person may sleep during the day and be wide-awake at night.
Dementia is caused by many conditions. Some conditions that cause dementia can be reversed, and others cannot. Further, many different medical conditions may cause symptoms that looks like Alzheimer’s disease. Some of these medical conditions may be treatable. Reversible conditions can be caused by a high fever, dehydration, vitamin deficiency and poor nutrition, bad reactions to medicines, problems with the thyroid gland, or a minor head injury. Medical conditions like these can be serious and should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder with no known cause or cure. It attacks and slowly steals the minds of its victims. Symptoms of the disease include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, disorientation, and loss of language skills. Always fatal, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of irreversible dementia.
Sometimes older people have emotional problems that can be mistaken for dementia. Feeling sad, lonely, worried, or bored may be more common for older people facing retirement or coping with the death of a spouse, relative, or friend. Adapting to these changes leaves some people feeling confused or forgetful. Emotional problems can be eased by supportive friends and family, or by professional help from a doctor or counselor. While some factors, such as your genes, are out of your control, many powerful lifestyle factors are within your sphere of influence.
The health of your brain, like the health of your body, depends on many factors. The six pillars of a brain-healthy lifestyle are:
1. Regular exercise
2. Healthy diet
3. Mental stimulation
4. Quality sleep
5. Stress management
6. An active social life
The more you strengthen each of the six pillars in your daily life, the healthier and hardier your brain will be.
One last bit of information for those whose “Anal retentive” tendencies cause them to be dealing with more stress than others. The term is used to describe a person who pays such attention to detail that the obsession becomes an annoyance to others, potentially to the detriment of the anal-retentive person, as first espoused by Freud. Freud theorized that some people might develop “anal” personality traits, namely those associated with orderliness, stubbornness, a compulsion for control.
Chronic behavior in this manner is thought to have a possible link to early onset of Alzheimer’s.
Balancing stress is a vital part of an Alzheimer’s prevention strategy. There is a very high correlation between high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high cortisol, and Alzheimer’s disease. Stress can be a key factor in all of these. Research has shown that the benefits of a regular stress-relaxation practice can improve your health, and especially improve focus, attention, and optimal mental performance. When you lead a brain-healthy lifestyle, your brain will stay working stronger…longer.
