Alzheimer’s disease

It is normal to become mildly forgetful with increasing age, but severe impairement of short-term memory may be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. In this disorder, brain cells gradually degenerate and deposits of an abnormal protein build up in the brain. As a result, the brain tissue shrinks, and there is a progressive loss of mental abilities, known as dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. In developed countries, the condition affects about 7 in 100 people by the age of 65 and 3 in 100 people by the age of 85. Sometimes, younger people are affected. The underlying cause of the tissue destruction is unknown, although genetic factors may be involved (liên quan). Studies have found that 15 in 100 people with Alzheimer’s disease have a parent affected by the disorder.


What are the symptoms?

The first symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is usually forgetfulness. The normal deterioration of memory that occurs in old age becomes much more severe and begins to affect intellectual ability. Memory loss is eventually accompanied by other symptoms, which may include:

- Poor concentrarion.
- Difficulty in understanding written and spoken language.
- Wandering and getting lost, even in familiar surroundings.

In the early stages of the disease, people are usually aware that they have become more forgerful. This may lead to derpression and anxiety. Over a longer period, the existing symptoms may get worse and additional symptoms may develop. These may include:

- Slow movements and unsteadiness when walking.
- Rapid mood swings from (thay đổi) happiness to tearfulness.
- Personality changes, aggression, and feelings of persecution.

Sometimes people find it difficult to sleep and become restless at night. After several years, most people with the disease cannot look after themselves and need full-time care.

How is it diagnosed?

There is no single test that can be used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. The doctor will discuss the symptoms with the affected person and his or her family. Tests may be arranged to exclude other possible causes of dementia. For example, blood tests may be carried out to check for vitamin B deficiencies. CT scanning, PET scanning, or MRI may be carried out to exclude other brain disorders, such as multi-infarct dementia, subdural haemorrhage, or a brain tumour. An assessment of mental ability, which may include memory and writing tests, may be used to determine the severity of the dementia.

What is the treatment?

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but drugs such as donepezil may slow the loss of mental function in mild to moderate cases. Some of the symptoms that are sometimes associated with Alzheimer’s desease, such as depression and sleeping problems, can be relieved by antidepressant drugs. A person who is agitated may be given a sedative drugs to calm him or her down.

Eventually, full-time care may be necessary, either at home or in a nursing home. Caring for person who has Alzheimer’s disease is often stressful, and cares need practifal and emotional support, especially if the affected person starts to become hostile and aggressive. Support groups can help a person to cope with caring for an elderly relative with the disease. Most people with Alzheimer’s disease survive for up to 10 years from the time of diagnosis.