Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic degenerative disease of the brain that manifests memory loss (medically knowns as dementia) as its characteristic and earliest feature. This neurological disorder induces the death of brain cells over time thereby also causing a decline in the cognitive and behavioral skills of a person. In turn, it impairs a person’s capacity for independent functioning.
There is currently no known medication for Alzheimer’s disease that can stop the illness’s progression in the brain. In extreme stages of the illness, significant loss of brain function-related problems, such as dehydration, hunger, or infection, lead to death.
Talk to a family member or friend about your concerns and suggest coming to a doctor’s appointment together if you are worried about the changing cognitive abilities you have noticed in them. Dr. Rashid Imran is our recommended neurologist with an acknowledged profile for the best consultation.
What Does Alzheimer’s Look Like?
Forgetting previous discussions or experiences is one of the disease’s early warning signals. A person with Alzheimer’s disease will have severe memory loss as the condition worsens and lose the capacity to do basic tasks.
Symptoms may momentarily get better or progress more slowly with medication. These therapies occasionally enable persons with Alzheimer’s disease to maintain independence and optimize function. Numerous services and programs are available to assist those who have Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them.
A person with Alzheimer’s disease may initially be aware of having trouble organising their thoughts and remembering things. It’s possible that a friend or family member would notice the symptoms getting worse first.
Memory
Everyone occasionally experiences memory loss but in Alzheimer’s disease, the brain function deteriorates, making it difficult to carry out daily tasks at home or at work. Following are some of the common presenting features of this disease:
- Repeat sentences and inquiries repeatedly
- Do not remember recent discussions, appointments, or activities later on
- Regularly lose belongings and frequently place them in odd places
- Wandering about in previously familiar locations
- Eventually forgetting the names of loved ones
- Have difficulty putting your thoughts or actions into words, making conversation, or identifying objects
Losing Familiarity With The Knowns
As the condition advances, formerly simple tasks that call for sequential processes, such as planning and preparing a meal or playing a favourite game, become challenging. Eventually, individuals with advanced Alzheimer’s frequently lose the ability to carry out fundamental chores like dressing and taking a bath.
Even as symptoms get worse, many crucial skills are retained for longer periods of time. Reading or listening to books, remembering, singing, and artistic skills are a few examples of talents that can be preserved. As the brain regions that govern these skills are impaired later in the disease’s progression, they may be preserved for a longer period of time.
Concentration and thinking problems are brought on by Alzheimer’s disease, especially when it comes to abstract ideas like numbers. It can be tricky to manage funds and utility bills that were once easy now become hard while multitasking. A person with Alzheimer’s may eventually lose the ability to comprehend and use numbers.
Behavioral/Social & Cognitive Alterations
Moods and behaviors may be affected by the brain alterations that result from Alzheimer’s disease that can manifest as:
- Depression
- Apathy
- Social isolation
- Mood changes
- Cynicism
- Increased irritability and aggression
- Disturbed sleeping patterns
- Wandering
- Loss of self-control
- Delusion (false belief)
Memory loss or other dementia symptoms can be caused by a variety of illnesses, some of which are treatable. Consult the Best Neurologist in Karachi for a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis if you are worried about your memory or other thinking abilities.
