Recognizing Alzheimer's Disease

This article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Nguyen Van Thai - Neurosurgeon - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital. Doctor Nguyen Van Thai has many years of experience in the examination and treatment of diseases specialized in Neurology.

Alzheimer's disease is considered a serious disease of the brain that causes memory loss, reduced thinking ability (thinking, problem solving logically) and normal life skills.

1. What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is one of the common causes of memory loss in the elderly, a disease characterized by the gradual loss of neurons and synapses in the cerebral cortex and some subcortical regions. The disease tends to gradually worsen, adversely affecting the daily activities, memory, language and thinking activities of the patient.
The disease usually occurs in people over 65 years old. However, it can still come between the ages of 50 and 65.

2. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

It is a progressive degenerative disease with different symptoms.

2.1 Stages before memory loss

Frequent difficulty remembering recent events and near inability to absorb new information. Reduced concentration, attention, indifference to everything. Reduced planning abilities and abstract thinking. Mild cognitive impairment.

2.2 Mild stage

Increasing decline in memory and ability to learn. In some patients, symptoms of language impairment include symptoms such as decreased vocabulary, decreased fluency, and decreased speaking and writing abilities. Forgetting something happened in the past, forgetting how to use a certain item. The onset of symptoms is difficult to coordinate, but is often mild and easily overlooked.

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2.3 The stage is quite heavy

The patient gradually loses the ability to perform activities of daily living. Difficulty in language is more obvious: the patient can't remember words, uses the wrong words to describe, always has to try to find words to express what he wants to say, reading and writing ability is gradually lost. Decreased motor coordination can be clearly seen, especially with complex movements, so the patient is prone to falls. Memory loss becomes more severe, at this stage the patient may not recognize a loved one. Behavioral changes: Frequent wandering, irritability, aggressive temperament, resistance to the care of loved ones. Sunset mood swings may be present. Some patients have hallucinations.

2.4 Heavy stage

Losing the ability to perform daily activities, the patient must completely depend on the caregiver. Language ability is reduced to speaking simple phrases, even single words, eventually leading to complete loss of language. Lethargy and feeling exhausted. Degeneration of muscle mass leaves the patient bedridden and unable to feed himself. Finally, Alzheimer's patients often die from causes such as infection of pressure sores, pneumonia, nutrition...

3. Causes of Alzheimer's disease

The cause of the disease is not clearly known, but scientists have several theories about the cause of Alzheimer's disease:
Due to the accumulation of a protein in the brain leading to gradual death brain cells. The aging process causes the destruction of myelin which reduces neurotransmission, resulting in the death of nerve cells. Due to disturbances in the production and activity of oxidants in the body.

4. Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease

Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include:
Older age Family factors: family history of Down syndrome Gender: More women than men History of traumatic brain injury especially in those end of life Depressive illness late after age 65. Sedentary and a diet low in green vegetables and fruits. Less performing intellectual activities such as: reading books, playing intellectual games Having cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking.

5. Treatment of Alzheimer's disease

5.1 Principles of treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disease and there is no cure. The goal of treatment is to slow down the progression of the disease and improve quality of life, limiting the negative effects of the disease on life. Combined with the care and diet, living regimen.

5.2 Drug treatment

Use of drugs that slow down the progression of the disease and a combination of concomitant symptomatic medications:
Drugs that slow disease progression include: anticholinesterase drugs (eg: Galantamine, Rivastigmine...), Memantine - is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist that increases synaptic transmission (it has fewer side effects than anticholinesterase drugs. Symptomatic treatment: treatment of insomnia, behavioral disorders, antipsychotic drugs.... Treatment of accompanying diseases, if any: Cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, diabetes.... In case the patient has to lie down for a long time, treat pneumonia, take care to limit the scars. pressure ulcers...

5.3 Patient care regime

Patients often can't control their behavior, sometimes in the late stages, the patient can't take care of themselves. The caregiver should:
Always follow up and create a safe living environment to avoid possible objects. dangerous to the patient. Talk to the patient often to create a feeling of joy and safety, assist the patient in remembering things to do during the day such as: Brushing teeth, washing face, changing clothes... Patient: Because the patient may lose coordination of movement, they may be prone to falls. For patients who cannot move, it is necessary to help the patient change positions frequently to avoid diseases caused by lying down for a long time.

5.4 Diet and activities

Increase the intake of green vegetables and fruits, limit fatty foods, alcoholic beverages, and do not smoke. Add foods rich in vitamin E (antioxidants, anti-free radicals), vitamin C, folic acid (vitamin B9)... Enhance sports activities. Actively participating in intellectual activities such as reading books, playing puzzles or actively participating in social activities also reduce the risk of disease.

6. Treatment of Alzheimer's disease at Vinmec International General Hospital

Vinmec Hospital is a reliable address for patients to examine, screen and treat Alzheimer's disease with all the following factors:
A team of highly qualified doctors. Advanced diagnostic methods: CT scan, MRI scan Comprehensive disease treatment: not only treat the disease but also treat the associated diseases. Patients are carefully instructed about preventive measures and slow down the progression of the disease. The Department of Rehabilitation has exercises to help slow the progression and improve the quality of life of patients Alzheimer's disease is a disease that progresses over time after the disease is detected, but the disease if detected early and proper treatment combined with diet and lifestyle can reduce disease progression, increase life expectancy and improve quality of life for patients.

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