Sanjeev Kumar Gupta
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory. Alzheimer’s is one of the most common types of dementia and it accounts for almost 80% of all dementia cases around the world. It is a progressive disease in which the brain cells degenerate and die. The people suffering from Alzheimer’s can easily recall events that occurred years ago, but find it difficult to recollect the recent events. They face difficulty in remembering the language, are unable to solve basic problems and situations, face reduction in thinking abilities and, the combined impact of these symptoms is severe enough to interfere with their daily life.
The disorder is named after Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist who discovered it while treating a female patient in 1901. Presently, the world wide estimated cases of Alzheimer’s are 2.5 crores and this figure is likely to increase to about 14 crores by 2050AD.Thus, the knowledge of the likely reasons for onset of Alzheimer’s and the efforts needed for its prevention assume greater significance.
There is no known effective cure for Alzheimer’s and the life-management of the people suffering from it by the family, involves a great deal of understanding, patience and willpower.Alzheimer’s disease International (ADI), an organisation founded in 1984 aims to support and guide the patients and the caretakers. In order to enhance the knowledge about this disorder, it was decided in 1994 to earmark 21 September as World Alzheimer’s Day. Thereafter, this day is celebrated every year with a different theme. ADI has about 100 Alzheimer’s associations world-wide which organise awareness campaigns, liaise with the governments, NGO’s, caretakers to continuously evolve the strategy to tackle this ever-growing epidemic.
The theme for Alzheimer’s Day 2025 is “Ask about Dementia. Ask about Alzheimer’s”. As the name suggests, the aim is to open up the discussions, conversations and questions about dementia and Alzheimer’s, as also to increase the general awareness about the early signs and symptoms and their implications. The mere act of talking about the disorder has the inherent potential of overcoming the fears and apprehensions which may not be based on any scientific study and maybe are more of a hearsay. It also will help in development of a more supportive approach towards the patient by the immediate family and the society. In the longer run, it will develop a sense of acceptance towards the disorder, reduce the stigma attached to it which in turn can lead to early recognition and timely management of the disorder.
Facts about Alzheimer’s
* The majority of Alzheimer’s patients are above 65 years of age. However, age is not the sole risk factor. A study revealed that in about 5% of patients, the disorder started between 40 to 50 years of age.
* Women are more prone to this disease than men.
* People suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Downs’s syndrome and a family history are more likely to get this disorder.
* The available scientific studies have linked Alzheimer’s to two kinds of nerve damage viz building of plaque in brain and formation of tangles in nerve cells. However, the reason for these two damages is yet to be fully established.
* There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s. However, early diagnosis can help in reducing the symptoms.
* Finland has maximum number of Alzheimer’s patients in the world. For every one lakh population, there are 55 patients.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Since, early recognition of the symptoms is the key to proper and effective management of the disorder, it shall be worthwhile to know the common observed symptoms.
People in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may:-
* Misplace items regularly.
* Repeat their questions and statements.
* Forget the recent events, their appointments, their address and the way to home.
* Not be able to recollect words and thus find it difficult to participate in conversations. Face difficulty in reading.
* Get confused with time, place, colour and distance.
People in the middle stage of the disorder may forget hitherto known skills like cooking, drawing, dancing, singing, listening to music etc. They may lose inhibitions and resort to unruly behaviour, may become aggressive and try to harm the people around them, may suffer from mood swings and become socially withdrawn.
People in the advanced stages of the disorder forget to perform basic tasks like not eating leading to malnutrition, not drinking water leading to dehydration, not able to control the bladder and bowel movements leading to hygiene issues, not able to balance leading to falls and fractures, not be able to swallow resulting in the food and liquids entering the lungs etc. They are likely to become aggressive, irritable and have loss of inhibitions.
Factors impacting Dementia& Alzheimer’s
Social isolation and dementia are closely intertwined. While social isolation can increase the risk of dementia by about 60%, the onset of dementia will reduce social interaction since the affected person will not be able to participate in any social activity. In this age of nuclear families, the impact of social isolation is more pronounced in that a lonely person is more likely to drink heavily, have unhealthy eating habits, not exercise, have irregular sleeping pattern all of which can lead to early onset of dementia.Widowed people are slightly more likely to develop dementia.
The epidemic proliferation of mobile usagehas resulted in social barriers wherein family member at home and people meeting at a common gathering are also glued to their mobile screens instead of talking and interacting with other family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances.
People who are mentally active are less likely to have dementia. The people with a habit of reading a book and playing cards, carom, chess, ludo with other individuals are likely to use their grey cells more than someone undertaking a similar activity on their mobiles or PC.
Need to Fight Back
Alzheimer’s, results due to degeneration and death of the brain cells which as of now cannot be prevented or reversed medically. However, a medical study has suggested that mental exercises help to produce new brain cells which can compensate to a certain extent for the dying cells. Till the time, the exact cause and the probable medical treatment of Alzheimer’s is found, the society has to work in unison to fight back against it. Some of the suggested measures are:-
* Increased social interaction at all levels.
* Regular outdoor exercise, proper diet, regular sleeping pattern.
* Mental activities like reading a book, playing cards, carom, solving puzzle games like Sudoku, trying new activities, learning a new language, learning to play a musical instrument, painting or whatever requires body and mind coordination.
* Keep control over diabetes, BP, cholesterol.
* The family members must try to keep the senior citizens engaged in some meaningful activity. And, God forbid, if a family member does develop dementia, then be more understanding and considerate.
Alzheimer’s Day is a stark reminder that Alzheimer’s is a dark reality that is growing exponentially. While it may be a medical disorder, its silent roots are being fed by the changing social order. And, the society must make efforts to ensure that its growth is prevented before it is too late. Let’s not wait for a Day to Ask about Dementia. Ask about Alzheimer’s”.
(The author is an Indian Air Force veteran)
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