Alzheimer’s is a common brain disorder that starts with mild memory loss and eventually affects thinking skills and the ability to perform daily tasks. It generally occurs in a later stage of life and leads to various alterations in personality, behavior, and mood. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, treatments help control the symptoms and slow its progression. This post discusses the condition’s symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Symptoms
The signs are not distinct during the initial phase of Alzheimer’s, but as the disease progresses, they become more noticeable and start affecting everyday activities. Some of the condition’s most common symptoms to take note of include:

• A loss of memory, which manifests as forgetting names, dates, and life events
• Repeating the same stories over and over again
• Problems in handling money-related tasks
• Difficulty finishing daily activities both at home and the workplace
• Lack of judgment
• Alterations in personality, mood, and behavior
• Trouble searching for the right words to express oneself
• Trouble identifying faces
• Depression and anxiety
• Anger issues
• Difficulty sleeping
• Physical weakness

While memory loss is the most significant indicator, it appears differently in different patients. The symptom can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Individuals who experience memory loss or any of the above signs consistently should visit a health expert to determine the cause. Detecting Alzheimer’s early is critical to managing the condition and slowing its progression.

Causes and risk factors
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known. It is believed to set in due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle elements working together over time. The risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s are:

• Age
  The probability of suffering from the disease increases significantly after the age of 65. However, it can even affect people who are nearing 40.
• Genetic factors
  Genetics is also a major factor responsible for the development of Alzheimer’s. The risk is higher among people who have a family history of the disease.
• Head injury
  People who suffer a head injury due to an accident or other reasons are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
• Down syndrome
  People with Down syndrome also have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s, as the condition leads to the build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain region.
• Heart problems
  The risk of developing the disease is higher in those who suffer from heart-related issues. Individuals with lifestyle disorders like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes are also likelier to get affected.

Besides the factors listed above, Alzheimer’s disease is common in patients who suffer from hearing loss and loneliness. Those who do not undergo treatment for depression are also likely to suffer from this condition. Furthermore, lifestyle problems like eating nutrient-deficit meals and not performing any physical activity can lead to the disorder’s development.

Treatments and therapies
At present, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but several treatments and therapies are available to target its underlying cause and control the symptoms. When a health expert diagnoses the condition, they might recommend a treatment to elevate the level of acetylcholine in the brain. This is a compound that makes communication easier among nerve cells, improving memory and learning ability. Another treatment might be recommended to reduce the effects of a chemical called glutamate in the brain. This chemical overstimulates healthy brain cells, damaging the organ and leading to various symptoms. Such treatments are generally prescribed for people in the moderate or severe stage of Alzheimer’s.

Besides treatments, experts might recommend therapies to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms. These help people with Alzheimer’s disease lead better lives. A few common therapies include:

• Cognitive stimulation therapy
  It involves participating in group activities and exercises specially curated to boost problem-solving ability and memory.
• CRT therapy
  Here, patients work with an experienced professional like an occupational therapist or a close associate toward achieving a specific goal, such as learning to use a computer. The therapy encourages the patient to utilize the portion of their brain which is working to assist the portion which is not.
• Reminiscence
  This therapy comprises speaking about things and events that have taken place in the past using props like a picture or prized possession.
• Life story
  It involves compiling a set of photographs from an event or pictures from childhood and making the patients recollect those memories. The activity helps boost mood and overall well-being.

Since Alzheimer’s is more common during old age, seniors should look out for the symptoms and visit a healthcare provider to develop a suitable treatment plan.