Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that damages brain cells, causing memory and thinking ability to gradually decline over time. The most common disease in the dementia group, the risk increases in people over 65 years old. Alzheimer’s greatly affects the patient’s work and quality of life.
Currently, the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, but age is the leading risk factor. Having someone in the family with Alzheimer’s also increases the chance of getting the disease. Factors such as long-term hypertension, head trauma, diabetes, frequent stress, high cholesterol, smoking, and lack of social interaction can promote the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Early-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms are often very mild, with patients showing signs of forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, and gradual loss of thinking and creativity. In the advanced stage, the patient appears many symptoms such as difficulty in expressing, difficulty speaking, slow movement, changes in psychological behavior, easily irritable, frequent hallucinations… In severe stages, the patient loses the ability to care for himself, loses mobility, loses weight, becomes exhausted, and can lead to death due to infection, pneumonia, malnutrition…
Doctor Nam examines the patient. Image: Tam Anh General Hospital
Alzheimer’s is a complex disease, so far medicine has not found a thorough treatment method. Some modern medicines and techniques contribute to helping patients improve symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment goals primarily focus on symptom management and relief. People with Alzheimer’s need encouragement, attention and care from family members.
Each person should proactively build a healthy lifestyle, comply with treatment for underlying diseases (if any), quit smoking, exercise regularly, eat scientifically, get proper and adequate sleep, to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s. Participating in activities that maintain and improve memory such as reading, playing chess, playing the piano, creating art, social work… are also beneficial during treatment.
You should take your mother to a medical facility that specializes in neurology so that doctors can examine and evaluate the specific severity of the disease. From there, the doctor gives appropriate treatment instructions.
Although Alzheimer’s is common in the elderly, young people are still at risk of developing the disease. If symptoms of forgetfulness appear, people should go to medical facilities with neurological specialists for advice.