What Is Alzheimer's Disease? Symptoms And Causes
Rates of diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease are increasing as people live longer than ever before. It is one of several different disorders that older adults may develop which affect memory and cognitive functioning. No matter what age you are, it’s natural to forget things from time to time. However, showing significant signs of memory loss or confusion could indicate a bigger problem at hand. Knowing Alzheimer's facts is essential in recognizing and understanding this progressive disease. Discovering Alzheimer's disease early can lead to a prompt diagnosis, effective treatment, and a higher quality of life. We’ll be discussing common symptoms of the disease as well as potential risk factors that may make a person more prone to developing it. Read more if you want to learn more about Alzheimer's and dementia.
What is Alzheimer's?
Most people think that Alzheimer's and dementia are the same, yes, they are related, but there's a slight difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease. So, what is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory. Named after Alois Alzheimer, the psychiatrist who identified the first case, it is the most common form of dementia and primarily affects older individuals.
As many as 80% of dementia cases could be attributed to Alzheimer's disease, making it the most common cause of dementia. In contrast to other forms of dementia, Alzheimer's symptoms develop slowly and worsen over time as brain cells are destroyed. Although the symptoms do not entirely go away with treatment, it may help slow the progression and manage the disease.
Alzheimer's is considered a progressive disease because symptoms show up gradually and appear quite mild at first. The symptoms then worsen slowly over the course of several years and increasingly affect the person's ability to function. Eventually, many people with Alzheimer's disease become unable to care for themselves independently.
Alzheimer's symptoms
The most associated symptom of Alzheimer's is memory loss, which can appear during conversations and routine daily activities. The typical preliminary diagnosis is mild cognitive impairment or MCI. This may remain stable for years, or progress into Alzheimer’s and related dementias. While memory problems are among the first signs of the disease, Alzheimer's progresses over time with other symptoms. It is classified as having three stages that worsen through the early, middle, and later stages. Aside from memory loss and its associated effects, other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Difficulty focusing
- Being confused or disoriented
- Physical problems with walking and coordination
- Showing frustration
- Sudden mood swings
- Anxiety, depression, and anger
- Symptoms get worse at night
In the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, you might notice mild dementia, but as the disease progresses, the person loses most of their abilities. This includes no longer being able to care for themselves. They may forget how to dress or make food. They may even forget that they are hungry and need to consume food at all.
Can Alzheimer’s cause death?
Alzheimer's symptoms also appear to contribute to an earlier death. As a result, in the United States, the disorder is considered the seventh leading cause of death. Most people with Alzheimer's die within an average of eight years after the symptoms become significantly noticeable. The earlier death rates are due to changes in functioning, some of which lead to poorer health, especially in the later stages of the disease. Depending on the individual’s age and general health, survival rates range from four to twenty years.
Alzheimer's causes and risk factors
Scientists and researchers are still unsure about all the factors that can lead to this disease. It is known that genetics and various environmental factors likely play roles. Someone whose family developed Alzheimer's is much more likely to develop it, too. However, there is no way to predict for certain who will develop the disorder and who will not. How to prevent Alzheimer's? There is no surefire strategy to prevent the development of this disease, but making healthy lifestyle choices can reduce your risk.
Age
Age is the greatest known risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease. Most cases are diagnosed in people aged 65 or older. However, some people under age 65 do start to show early signs of the disease. This is called early-onset Alzheimer's and affects approximately 200,000 Americans.
Protein buildup in the brain
Alzheimer's disease causes memory loss and significant declines in cognitive functioning because the tissue of the brain is slowly breaking down. This happens as a result of two types of damage to the brain, one being the damage that occurs to the development of neurofibrillary tangles. The second type of damage is due to protein deposits, called beta-amyloid plaques, that build up in the brain and affect its ability to function properly.
Again, researchers are not entirely sure what causes these types of damage. There is some research that suggests a protein in the blood called apolipoprotein E (or ApoE) may be at least partly responsible. That protein is used by the body to help move cholesterol in the blood. There are multiple types of ApoE, and it seems certain forms contribute to brain damage. Perhaps related to the ApoE protein, people who have high cholesterol and high blood pressure are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's. A history of head injury also seems to relate to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's, but it is not clear exactly why. The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit that is currently leading the way to fund research into both the causes and treatment of this insidious disease that is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
Alzheimer's vs. Normal memory loss from aging
Everyone forgets things sometimes. You might forget an appointment you were meaning to attend or misplace your keys and wallet. Just as everyone forgets things, everyone will experience some decline in memory and cognitive functioning as part of their normal aging. Normal memory loss does not usually prevent a person from living a typical life. However, when memory loss is more severe and starts to get in the way of day-to-day functioning, then it might be a sign of a more serious disorder.
What is Alzheimer’s disease vs. dementia?
Many people are confused when it comes to Alzheimer's and dementia, but they are two different conditions. Dementia is the general term for loss of memory that can sometimes interfere with daily life while Alzheimer's specifically affects the elderly. A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional is necessary before an Alzheimer's diagnosis can be confirmed.
Signs of general dementia, a type of memory loss
In the medical field, the term dementia is used to describe many symptoms. These dementia symptoms can include memory impairment, reductions in reasoning and judgment, difficulty with language, and other changes in thinking skills. When someone has dementia, their symptoms usually start gradually and slowly worsen over time. As Alzheimer’s worsens, brain and nerve cells are destroyed and can begin to impair a person's ability to function. It can eventually affect their functioning both at work and home.
Specific signs of dementia include:
- Repeatedly asking the same question or making the same statements.
- Forgetting common or frequently used words when speaking.
- Impaired reasoning skills.
- Mixing up words for different items.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks, such that they take longer to complete.
- Putting items in inappropriate places and forgetting where they were left.
- Frequently getting lost, even in familiar places.
- Changes in mood and behavior for no clear reason.
As noted, these symptoms help to define dementia, as well as Alzheimer's disease. However, other conditions can similarly cause these symptoms. Other conditions include vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Each of these conditions is different from one another and from Alzheimer's Disease.
Alzheimer's disease evaluation and diagnosis
If you or a loved one sees signs and symptoms of the early stage of Alzheimer's development, it is important to visit a medical professional instead of doing an at-home Alzheimer's test. Doctors will do a complete medical assessment to help determine the exact diagnosis and plan for treatment. The evaluation will include gathering medical history, testing mental health status, assessing mood to rule out other mental health disorders, a physical exam, neurological tests, and other tests or scans of the brain and body. As the doctor rules out other conditions, they may eventually diagnose Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's treatments: Slowing down brain progression
Unfortunately, Alzheimer's disease still has no known cure, and there is no way to slow the progression of the brain-involved disease once it starts. However, research has developed treatments that can slow the progression of symptoms. This can help to improve and extend the quality of life for people who have Alzheimer's. It can help them maintain independent functioning for longer and reduce the amount of responsibility for caregivers. Researchers continue to find even more effective treatments.
Medication for Alzheimer’s disease
In addition to medications used to slow the progression of early Alzheimer's dementia-like symptoms, therapy can also be utilized to help people maintain their functioning. Some individuals with the disease choose to enter assisted living care. This may become more necessary in the later stages of the disease when family caregivers are no longer fully equipped for the person's increasing medical and physical needs. Assisted living facilities have staff and support in place to provide the person with appropriate care.
Are there clinical trials to cure Alzheimer's and slow down brain progression?
Yes, there are numerous clinical trials aimed at finding effective treatments and potential cures for Alzheimer’s disease. Although no cure for Alzheimer’s has been found yet, clinical trials continue to seek ways to slow down the progression of the disease.
How online therapy can help
Suspecting a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's Disease, or receiving confirmation that you have a disorder, can be upsetting. This is true whether you’ve received the diagnosis yourself or have a loved one with it. Many people choose to seek therapeutic support, which you can have through BetterHelp, an online therapy platform.
Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer’s or related dementia can be difficult. You may have less time to take care of yourself but doing so is still essential. Online therapy allows you to get care according to your busy schedule. You can connect in a way that’s most convenient for you and reach out on the days that you need extra support.
Effectiveness of online therapy in clinical trials
Online therapy can be useful for helping people with a variety of problems. One study assessed the effectiveness of an internet-delivered intervention for family caregivers of people living with dementia. The results showed that caregivers experienced “significantly lower symptoms of depression and anxiety,” suggesting that online-based therapeutic options can be efficacious in improving the quality of life for caregivers of those with dementia. Recent research has further demonstrated the effectiveness of online CBT with therapist support for improving mental health and mood in caregivers of people with dementia
Takeaway
What is Alzheimer’s caused by and what are its risk factors?
Though the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, it’s associated with the buildup of proteins, called beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, in the brain. Tau tangles develop inside neurons, interfering with chemical signals that allow neurons to communicate with each other. Amyloid-plaques build up in the spaces between neurons, further disrupting the ability of neurons to communicate information.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are associated with changes in the brain where plaques and tangles first develop. As these proteins build up in more regions of the brain during late stage Alzheimer’s, symptoms become more severe and disruptive.
At what age does Alzheimer's start?
The likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease goes up with increasing age, with most people first developing symptoms around age 65 or later. When Alzheimer’s develops before 65, it is called younger or early-onset Alzheimer’s. In some rare cases, genetics can cause familial Alzheimer’s disease in younger people in their 30s or 40s.
What is Alzheimer's disease and dementia?
Dementia is a general term that is characterized by the progressive loss of memory and cognitive function over time, eventually disrupting the ability to carry out daily tasks, such as paying bills or driving to the grocery store. There are several different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Parkinson's disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, with the Alzheimer’s Association estimating that over six million Americans are living with the disease in the United States alone.
What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, meaning it worsens over time from mild to moderate to severe stages. People with Alzheimer’s experience brain damage caused by the buildup of certain proteins, which causes symptoms such as difficulty recalling names, language problems, trouble completing daily tasks, and issues with decision-making. Though age is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s, it is a disease and not considered a normal part of aging.
People with Alzheimer’s eventually die from the disease, often due to difficulty swallowing during late-stage Alzheimer’s, which can lead to aspiration pneumonia. However, there are many medications available that can reduce symptom severity and slow down disease progression. Things like frequent social interactions, exercise, time outdoors, music, caregiver education, and the use of reminder aids can also improve symptoms and quality of life.
What is Alzheimer's like for the person?
The experience of having Alzheimer’s disease is different for everyone, but many people have opened up about their experiences online. For example, the following perspectives on life with Alzheimer’s have been described by people living with the disease:
- People may assume you can’t live your life anymore: Alzheimer’s disease is sometimes stereotyped or stigmatized, with some people wrongly assuming that people with the disease cannot function or maintain any independence. When Mike Zuendel was diagnosed, he found that many people were uneducated about dementia and were surprised that he could carry out his daily life with some modifications. For people with Alzheimer’s disease, this experience can be frustrating or isolating.
- It can be frightening: Rick Phelps was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010. He describes the experience of Alzheimer’s disease to people as though they’ve been given a medication like midazolam, which causes drowsiness and short-term memory loss, before waking up in an unfamiliar place surrounded by unfamiliar people. Most people would feel confused or anxious in this situation.
- There may be good days and bad days: According to Bart Brammer, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at age 70, he sometimes experiences no dementia, early stage, middle stage, and late stage all in one day. “My memory can be focused, and I can tell you my history teacher’s name. And then later on that day, I can’t tell you who I’m running into in the parking lot that I’ve known for years.”
- There may be a silver lining: Deb Jobe was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her early 50s after her husband noticed she was repeating conversations and having difficulty finding the right words. Although she’s lost some independence and experienced changes in her daily living, she’s also developed a new skill she never had before - drawing. As her dementia progressed, she went from using adult coloring books to working on complex sketches.
How can you prevent Alzheimer's?
You cannot prevent Alzheimer’s disease, but you can take steps to reduce your risk of developing the disease. According to the National Institute on Aging, a combination of genetics, lifestyle, environment, and other factors interact to influence whether Alzheimer’s develops and how it progresses. You can address lifestyle factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease by:
- Getting routine physical activity
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Managing physical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Get enough quality sleep each night
- Eliminating or reducing the use of alcohol and tobacco products
It’s estimated that around 41% of dementia cases can be attributable to modifiable lifestyle factors.
Is There A Cure For Alzheimer's?
There is not currently a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, though some medications and treatment options may be able to temporarily slow the progression of the disease.
What 7 things trigger Alzheimer's?
According to a study published in Lancet Neurology, these seven potentially modifiable factors account for around half of Alzheimer’s cases:
- Physical inactivity: People who live sedentary lives, falling in the bottom 10% of daily physical activity, may be twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s compared with those in the top 10% of physical activity.
- Depression: 15% of Alzheimer’s cases are associated with depression.
- Smoking cigarettes: 11% of Alzheimer’s cases may be attributable to cigarette smoking.
- Hypertension: Around 8% of Alzheimer’s cases may be attributable to high blood pressure.
- Obesity: Obesity may account for 7% of Alzheimer’s cases in the United States.
- Low educational attainment: Low education is associated with 7% of Alzheimer’s disease cases.
- Diabetes: Around 3% of Alzheimer’s cases are associated with diabetes. Managing blood sugar levels can help reduce this risk.
Other non-modifiable factors that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease include environmental factors, genetic factors, and age-related changes that occur in the brain.
Who is most at risk for Alzheimer's?
The following groups are at the highest risk of developing Alzheimer’s:
- People over 65: According to the Alzheimer’s Society, someone’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after the age of 65.
- Sex: People assigned female sex at birth having a slightly increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared with males of the same age.
- Genetics: In some rare instances, familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) can run in families. In people with these genetic mutations (specifically within the presenilin 1, presenilin 2, and amyloid precursor protein genes), their offspring have a 50% chance of inheriting the faulty genes and developing Alzheimer’s at some point.
What are the 5 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease?
Understanding Alzheimer’s warning signs can help people receive a diagnosis and make a treatment plan sooner, which can potentially improve quality of life and slow disease progression. Additionally, early diagnosis can give families more time to set up medical directives and make legal decisions. Warning signs to watch out for include:
- Forgetting new information, asking repeated questions, or failing to remember important dates
- Difficulty solving problems, concentrating, planning, or making decisions
- Challenges with completing routine tasks, such as grocery shopping or getting to a known location without directions
- Losing track of dates, time, and location
- Difficulty recalling words, naming objects, or holding conversations
- Previous Article
- Next Article