Alzheimer’s disease, a serious condition that causes memory loss and deterioration of the brain, affects an increasing number of people worldwide, including here in the United States. June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a good time to learn more about this disease and the overall health of the human brain.
Understanding Alzheimer’s helps to reduce stigma surrounding it and provide better support to those living with the disease. And, while the full causes of Alzheimer’s are not fully known, there are clear risk factors that everyone should be aware of.
“Many people find it difficult to discuss matters of memory loss and reduced cognitive ability, whether they are experiencing it themselves or they are watching a loved one go through it,” says Dr. Mike Liu, a neurologist in Fort Worth. “This is understandable but there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of. Alzheimer’s is a condition that can be diagnosed – or ruled out – giving your doctors and family a path to provide the best support possible for living with the condition.”
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is not a disease, but a term that describes cognitive symptoms associated with aging, including memory loss, reduced judgment, and the inability to perform routine life functions.
Alzheimer’s usually affects older adults; however, it is not a natural part of aging. In 2020, there were 6.9 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s – that figure is projected to double to 14 million by 2060.
In 2022, Alzheimer’s was the 7th leading cause of death in the United States and the 6th leading cause among adults 65 and older. As startling as these figures are, they may actually understate deaths caused by Alzheimer’s – the disease can cause many physical complications and therefore is not always officially reported as the root cause of death.
How Alzheimer’s Affects the Brain
Scientists are still working to understand exactly how Alzheimer’s damages the brain, but we know that it fundamentally disrupts brain function through a series of events. This process begins with brain proteins acting abnormally and interfering with the work of the brain cells, also called neurons.
There are two brain proteins linked to Alzheimer’s:
- Beta-amyloid is a protein fragment. When these fragments accumulate, they form plaques that disrupt communications between brain cells.
- Tau proteins help support brain health and transport nutrients to brain cells. When these proteins change shape, they form tangles, which create roadblocks in the nutrient transport network, leading to brain cell damage.
As the brain cells are damaged, they lose connections with one another and eventually they begin to die. This damage occurs first in the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and then spreads to other regions of the brain.
When the disease is at its most advanced stages, the brain physically shrinks.
Possible Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Memory loss is one of the major symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Everyone suffers from memory loss periodically; occasionally forgetting where you put something or someone’s name does not mean you have Alzheimer’s. However, forgetting things often and repeatedly may be an indication of a problem.
After age 60, if you or a loved one begins to have trouble remembering basic information during your daily activities, have trouble handling money and paying bills, or challenges with other routine tasks, then you should visit with your physician and share your symptoms. Additional symptoms that could indicate Alzheimer’s include:
- Confusion with time or place
- Delusional behavior
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things
- Losing the ability to retrace steps
- Wandering and getting lost
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
Again, occasionally experiencing one of these traits does not automatically mean someone has Alzheimer’s – but these are things to discuss with your doctor.
Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease
While researchers do not know what exactly causes Alzheimer’s, there are several known risk factors:
Age
While not a natural part of aging, Alzheimer’s is most associated with older age. Nearly all Alzheimer’s patients are aged 65 or older, though 5% of Alzheimer’s cases are considered early-onset, affecting people in their 50’s, 40’s or even 30’s.
Gender
More women have Alzheimer’s than men; this is likely due to the fact that women live longer.
Genetics
Heredity and genetics appear to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s. If a close blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, had the disease, the risk increases.
Heart Health Conditions
Numerous cardiovascular-related conditions have been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. It is not clear if these conditions directly increase risk of Alzheimer’s or that they cause changes to the blood vessels in the brain, which in turn increases risk.
- Hypertension(high blood pressure)
- High cholesterol, specifically LDL cholesterol
- Diabetes, particularly if it is not well-managed
Other Health Conditions
Other health conditions and injuries have been identified as possible causes of Alzheimer’s including:
- Down Syndrome – people with Down Syndrome have three copies of chromosome 21, the gene that creates the protein that leads to plaques in the brain.
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) – people with MCI exhibit a greater degree of memory loss and cognitive function than is typical for others their age. People with MCI do not necessarily have dementia and they are able function in their jobs and social lives. However, having MCI increases risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – serious head injuries are linked to an increased risk.
- Hearing loss: Loss of hearing has been shown to increase Alzheimer’s risk. One of the best things someone with hearing loss can do is wear hearing aids to prevent the onset of dementia.
Lifestyle Factors
The final group of factors that may increase risk of Alzheimer’s are things we can control with the choices we make:
- Alcohol consumption: Excessive drinking is known to cause changes in the brain. Multiple studies have linked excessive alcohol use to dementia.
- Smoking: Smoking, as well as exposure to second-hand smoke, is linked to Alzheimer’s.
- Irregular sleep patterns: having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep may increase risk of dementia.
- Social activity and learning: Researchers have found that maintaining an active social life and continuously finding ways to keep your brain active reduces risk of Alzheimer’s.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is not yet a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, nor is there a treatment that can stop or reverse the progression of the disease. There are, however, prescription medications available which can help ease the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and slow the disease’s course. These drugs are most effective in the early and middle stages of the disease. Doctors and scientists continue to research and search for a cure.
Regular exercise and good nutrition are important for Alzheimer’s patients, as well. Exercise improves mood and overall health, just as it does for anyone. It also enhances strength and stability, which are especially important as we age.
Alzheimer’s patients – and their caregivers – must be intentional about nutrition. It is not uncommon for someone with Alzheimer’s to lose interest in eating or simply forget to do so. Regular, nutritious meals, along with plenty of water, are very important for Alzheimer’s patients.
Taking these steps, in coordination with the doctor and the patient’s family and caregivers, can help improve the quality of life for someone living with Alzheimer’s.
Caring for an Alzheimer’s Patient
As the disease progresses, the care process can be frustrating and saddening; however, there are ways to make the caring process easier. Alzheimer’s patients have better days when they are in a calming environment and not exposed to stressful situations. Loud noises, shouting and arguments can cause Alzheimer’s patients to become upset easily, and when upset, the patient is more likely to experience cognitive symptoms.
Providing a stable environment, establishing a routine and limiting your loved one’s choices can make the situation easier. Caregivers must be flexible, patient and willing to adapt their routines, as a loved one’s ability to function could vary from day to day.
“Your physician can provide advice – both to the patient and their loved ones – on the best ways to cope with and manage a difficult disease like Alzheimer’s,” says Dr. Mike Liu. “If you suspect you or a family member may be demonstrating symptoms consistent with Alzheimer’s, please see your doctor as soon as possible so you can get the best treatment at the earliest opportunity.”
Taking Care of Your Brain
Have you seen ads on TV promoting supplements that will improve your memory and make your brain healthier? Ignore them.
In fact, at least one well-known supplement marketed for brain health has been accused of deceptive trade practices.
Even though there is not a magic pill to take for our brains, there are clear and proven steps we can take to help protect our brain health and reduce our chances of Alzheimer’s and others forms of dementia.
“We can best take care of our brains the same way we take care of our hearts and the rest of our body,” says Fort Worth neurologist Dr. Jiangping Liu. “Eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of physical activity, regular sleep and managing any chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes or hearing loss will go a long way in helping our brains. And never forget the value of challenging your brain through lifelong learning, as well as remaining socially engaged with family and friends.”
This article has been reviewed and approved by a panel of Privia Medical Group North Texas physicians.
This article contains information sourced from:
