Alzheimer’s disease or senile dementia is a common neurodegenerative disease. It most often affects people over 65 years of age, regardless of gender. At the beginning of the 21st century, more than 30 million people on Earth suffer from pathology. Every year the number of patients increases, especially in developed countries.
Description of pathology
The disease was described in detail by the German doctor Alois Alzheimer at the beginning of the 20th century. The disease was named after him.
The causes of the disease are unknown. What is clear is that neurons die as a result of Alzheimer’s disease. Because of this, the brain shrinks and degenerates.
People with Alzheimer’s disease have typical symptoms:
- progressive memory impairment;
- depression;
- indifference to others, close people;
- apathy;
- crazy ideas;
- hallucinations.
Such a clinical picture unfolds in a person who has been ill for several years. The first signs of an impending thunderstorm are barely noticeable.
Initially, there are minor disturbances in the form of short-term memory disorders, forgetting events that have occurred recently, as well as some changes in character.
A characteristic symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory impairment. Moreover, recent memories are lost, and the affairs of bygone days are preserved.
Diagnostics
Noticeable neurological disorders indicate an already advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease. But doctors, patients and their loved ones are interested in early detection of the disease. For this purpose, Dr. Douglas Scharre (USA) proposed a special testing method – SAGE test . Simple and uncomplicated, which helps to make a diagnosis with a high degree of probability in the early stages of the disease.
People can even do this test at home on their own, within 15 minutes. The results are transferred to the neurologist, and then the doctor examines the data and makes a conclusion about the need for further examination.
To confirm the diagnosis and clarify the current state of the patient with Alzheimer’s disease, a special examination is required. The first step is considered to be a neurological examination, as a result of which a plan of instrumental diagnostics is drawn up. It includes:
- MRI (NMR) – magnetic resonance imaging;
- EEG – electroencephalography;
- evoked potential method (especially informative P300);
- neuropsychological testing;
- genetic testing.
Genetic diagnosis can give an early prognosis for the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
A serious risk of getting sick is noted in people with mutations in the V44M and V44A genomic segments.
Therapeutic approach
Even in the 21st century, people have not yet learned how to treat Alzheimer’s disease. The only thing that can be done is to slow down its progression, reduce the negative impact on the quality of life of the patient and people close to him.
Development and testing of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is ongoing. But so far, not a single pharmaceutical company has been able to achieve encouraging results.
The best tactic is considered to be the maximum stimulation of brain activity. This allows the brain to compensate for lost functions and maintain clarity of thought longer.
People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease are shown:
- any quizzes, crossword puzzles, tasks even from a school course;
- regular physical activity with moderate exercise;
- complete and balanced nutrition;
- taking drugs for atherosclerosis.
Vitamin E has a good effect, its value has been proven by disease researcher Mary Sano from the USA, New York.
It has also been observed that the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease depends on the level of different fractions of cholesterol in the blood. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) provoke the disease, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) have a protective effect.