Sometimes, in old age, a person begins to forget the knowledge he has accumulated during the passage of his entire life path. The events of the past are erased from his memory, the execution of seemingly ordinary household procedures becomes a complex process. There is disinterest in life and apathy.
These are all symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It is nothing more than a pathology of the brain, which is degenerative in nature. What are the causes and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease? Can it be avoided? Let's try to understand these issues.
A bit of history
Description of the symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's disease can be found in the writings of ancient doctors. However, the final formulation of the causes, course and stages of its manifestations belongs to the German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer. In 1907, he published a detailed study of the nature of the disease from which his patient suffered. Since then, in medicine, this pathology began to bear his name.
Alois Alzheimer observed dementia in56 year old woman. The patient had progressive memory loss. At first, the woman was confused in the surroundings. With the development of pathology, it became difficult for her to navigate in her apartment. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease were manifested in a decrease in the quality of speech, writing and reading. At the same time, it was impossible to find any clearly expressed neurological disorders during her examination. The patient was hospitalized. She passed away 4.5 years later. A post-mortem examination of her brain was carried out, which revealed its atrophy, that is, a decrease in volume.
However, it is worth noting that in those days this disease did not have such a wide distribution as it does now. Today, the list of forgetful patients is constantly expanding. So, a dozen years ago, the symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's disease (see photo below) were observed in almost 27 million people.
Now there are many more of them. In addition, there is an upward trend in the growth of this disease in the world. According to medical forecasts, in the middle of the 21st century. the number of patients may exceed 100 million. This is what makes scientists look for ways to treat pathology. After all, if it is not stopped, then in the near future it will hit a significant part of the inhabitants of the planet.
Prevalence of pathology
Unfortunately, today doctors state the fact that often the symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's disease are observed in people aged 45 to 65 years. This means that the disease began to "get younger." The earliest age of a patient who had thisdisease - 28 years. However, nevertheless, the pathology, as a rule, manifests itself already after 40. And this despite the fact that it was originally described for the category of people who have reached the age of 65, in whom the disease was defined as senile dementia.
The likelihood of developing the disease differs depending on whether a person is in a particular age group. So, in people from 65 to 69 years, the probability of pathology is 0.3%. Further, this figure increases depending on the years lived. In the group of 80-84 years old, it is 3.4%. In people over the age of 90, symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's disease appear in 5.6% of people in this category.
Pathology is the fourth in the list of deadly ailments from which humanity suffers. In the United States alone, more than 100,000 cases of death caused by this type of dementia are recorded during the year.
It is worth noting that the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are more common in women than in men.
Causes of pathology
Symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's disease (a photo of elderly patients is presented below) appear in people regardless of their nationality, social, economic status, as well as other inherent similar factors.
However, it is worth noting that scientists, despite the large number of studies, have not been able to point to a specific cause of the pathology. To date, there are more than a dozen different theories, each of which explains the origins of this disease in different ways.
Yes, someresearchers believe that the disease is heterogeneous in origin. Sometimes it can be hereditary. However, this is not always the case. But if the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease occur in a person before the age of 65, then in most cases it is heredity that is to blame. At the same time, familial forms with an early onset of the disease were noted only in 10% of the total number of patients. Relatively recent studies on dementia have identified 3 genes responsible for the development of a hereditary type of pathology. They are the cause of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease that patients experience.
In addition to people whose relatives suffer from this disease, those who have ever suffered head injuries are more likely to lose memory. The risk of symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's disease is also high in those who are exposed to the following factors:
- Intoxication with aluminum, nitrates and zinc. This is a significant risk factor.
- Age. Alzheimer's disease is usually an age-related disease.
- Gender. To a large extent, women are susceptible to the disease, since hormonal changes, which are a stress factor, are most observed in their bodies.
- Degree of intelligence. Based on statistics, as a rule, the treatment of Alzheimer's disease for symptoms and signs is carried out in people with a low level of education. Highly intelligent individuals have large interneuronal connections in the brain. For the time being, all this largely compensatesatrophy of destroyed cells. A predisposition to the disease in such people appears a little later.
Most often, those who suffer from diabetes mellitus, are overweight, have chronic hypoxia, atherosclerosis of the main head arteries, and some other ailments.
What's going on?
What changes take place in the body of a person who has symptoms and signs of Alzheimer's disease? Pathological processes in this case are noted in the brain tissues. Here you can observe the concentration of misfolded proteins, namely tau protein and beta-amyloid. In this case, the formation of plaques in the substance of the brain and on the walls of blood vessels. These neoplasms are caused by the interconnection of small peptides. Senile plaques also appear in the brain.
The pathological process is caused by the loss of synaptic connections and neurons. This is the cause of atrophy of some areas in the cerebral cortex. In other words, nerve cells are destroyed in large quantities, there is a lack of those substances that affect the transmission of nerve impulses. Alzheimer's symptoms develop gradually.
Beginning of pathology
Different sources identify three or more stages of the course of the disease. But most often it is customary to distinguish four stages in the development of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (photo can be seen in the article). Each of them is characterized by the presence of its own characteristics, which ultimately lead to the progression of disorders in the brain.
The manifestation of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease at an early stage is called predementia. Very often, this stage of the disease is confused with signs of aging of the body or with a person's reaction to a stressful situation.
It is noted that the early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are detected in some patients 8 years before the diagnosis of the underlying disease.
Initially, signs of dementia occur during the performance of some tasks that are everyday for a person. The most noticeable of the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is some memory disorder. It manifests itself in the attempts of a person to reproduce previously learned facts. It is not possible for him to assimilate new information for himself. These attempts also fail.
The initial symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are also detected in the implementation of some executive functions. These include concentration and planning, as well as the ability to think abstractly. In this case, problems with semantic memory, which is associated with the meaning of words, as well as with the relationship of concepts, are not excluded.
Prementation is often accompanied by apathy, which is the most stable neuropsychological sign observed during the course of the entire pathology.
It is worth noting that the early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in women, who most often suffer from dementia, are no different from the manifestations of this disease in men.
Early dementia
How the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease manifest themselves at the next stage of their development (photo of the patient is presentedbelow)? With early dementia, memory decreases at a progressive pace, which occurs along with agnosia, that is, with a violation of tactile, auditory and visual perception while maintaining consciousness and sensitivity.
A small number of patients at this stage of the course of the disease do not complain about a memory disorder at all. They are disturbed by violations of speech, movements, perception, as well as functions of an executive nature. The disease changes one or another aspect of human memory to varying degrees. To a lesser extent, it affects the memories that relate to the personal life of the patient and the facts memorized by him in the old days. In other words, memory becomes episodic. It slightly affects the disease and implicit memory of the body, in which unconscious reproduction of learned actions occurs (use of cutlery, etc.).
In the period of early dementia, a person's vocabulary becomes poor, fluency of speech decreases, and the ability to write and verbal expression of one's thoughts is weakened. But the patient still has an adequate handling of standard concepts that take place in verbal communication. If a person writes, draws, changes clothes and performs other functions that require the addition of fine motor skills, then he may already experience problems in coordination and planning of movements. Sometimes it looks like the awkwardness of the actions performed.
In the course of further progression of the disease, a person continues to independently perform certain tasks. However, to do it withoutoutside help, even in the form of supervision, becomes very difficult. This refers to manipulations involving the application of cognitive efforts.
Moderate dementia
When entering this stage of the disease, the person's condition gradually worsens. This causes a decrease in his ability to independently perform various actions. Speech disorders become pronounced. They are caused by the patient's loss of access to his existing vocabulary. A person begins to choose other, not always correct, terms instead of the ones he has forgotten. In addition, this stage of the development of the disease is characterized by the loss of reading and writing skills. Gradually progressing disorders of coordination of movements, requiring a complex sequence of actions. This deprives a person of the opportunity to adequately perform most of the tasks they face from everyday life.
Of course, in this case, there are also problems with memory, which in moderate dementia are significantly increased. In some situations, this leads to the loss of the ability to recognize loved ones.
And if before the beginning of this period of the course of the disease, long-term memory was not subjected to the disease, now the pathological process also affects it. Deviations in the behavior of the patient are becoming more obvious and noticeable. In this case, evening exacerbations of the disease are common, as well as such a manifestation of it as vagrancy. The person becomes very irritable. He often exhibits spontaneous aggression. Such a patient is capable of crying all of a sudden.
Practically30% of patients have symptoms of false identification, as well as delusions. Bedwetting often develops. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease lead to stress in relatives, which is eliminated by placing the patient in a hospital of the appropriate type, where he will be properly looked after.
Severe dementia
This stage of the disease is the last. The patient can no longer do without the help of outsiders. His existing language skills are reduced to the use of either single words or simple phrases. All this suggests that there was almost a loss of speech. Despite the loss of verbal skills, patients understand the messages addressed to them.
Sometimes during the passage of this stage of pathology, a person has manifestations of aggression. But most often apathy prevails, which is accompanied by exhaustion. As a result, there comes a moment when the patient loses the ability to carry out even the most elementary actions without using outside help. His muscle mass is greatly reduced, and any movement requires significant effort. A little later, such a person stops eating on his own.
Life expectancy with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is usually affected by external factors. It could be pneumonia or a pressure ulcer. Because of them, on average, such people live 7 years. The pathology itself does not lead directly to death.
Mild stage symptoms
At the initial stage, when the disease is not yet soclearly manifests itself, it is characterized by the following signs:
- loss of short-term memory and loss of interest in the world around;
- inability to adequately talk about money;
- difficulties not only in assimilation of new information, but also in the creation and further preservation of recent memories;
- appearance of speech problems, which is expressed in the use of words similar in sound, but different in meaning;
- loss of the ability to concentrate for a long time, which is expressed in the inability to visit long-familiar places;
- appearance of active and aggressive resistance to any changes and new things;
- problems of logical thinking and organization;
- appearance of serious difficulties in decision-making;
- appearance of uncharacteristic for a person anger, irritability, loss of interest in life with a constant feeling of fatigue;
- appearance of serious difficulties in decision-making;
- forgetfulness in various areas of life (a person does not eat or, on the contrary, does not leave the table, does not pay for purchases or overpays for them, often loses things that he himself puts in unusual places).
Besides this, the patient often begins to ask the same questions, constantly repeating them.
Medium stage symptoms
The following manifestations are typical for this stage of the course of the disease:
- greater changes in hygiene, behavior and sleep patterns;
- confusion of personalities,when a patient perceives a loved one as a stranger;
- the emergence of urgent security problems, when the patient begins to wander, can easily get poisoned, etc.;
- loss of ability to recognize people and things;
- man repeating the same stories, words and movements;
- loss of ability to organize one's thoughts when a person ceases to follow a logical chain in certain explanations;
- lack of ability to formulate the correct answer even after reading the material repeatedly;
- manifesting inappropriate behavior in the form of excessive excitement, curses and threats;
- the occurrence of inaccuracy when using things;
- disorientation in time, manifested in the form of nightly dues for work, etc.;
- the emergence of a feeling of a repetition of life events or that the patient is haunted by a mirror image;
- wearing clothes that are inappropriate for the weather;
- needing help getting to the shower or toilet.
Severe stage symptoms
In the late stages of the development of the disease, a person completely ceases to perceive the environment and family, despite the fact that any of his actions require outside help. The patient becomes silent or, on the contrary, too talkative, but at the same time it is quite difficult to understand him. Such a patient ceases to control the processes of bowel movement. As the disease progresses, he loses weight, and his skin, deprived of nutrients, begins to dry and crack. Often such people fall, suffer frominfectious diseases. A significant part of the time the patient is in bed.
Probability of recovery
Is it possible to treat pathology if symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are detected? Unfortunately, today it is impossible to finally rid a person of its signs. Scientists around the world are conducting active research in this area, seeking to find means that eliminate this pathology. For example, to date, the mechanism of the development of the disease has been finally clarified. It was determined that the pathological phenomenon is controlled by ions of such an element as zinc. It is possible that this fact will lead to the development of drugs that contribute to the recovery of patients.
At the moment, there are several modern methods that allow, regardless of the cause of Alzheimer's disease, to treat symptoms to alleviate a person's condition. The effectiveness of the therapy in most cases depends on the stage at which the pathology was diagnosed. The sooner it is discovered, the more effective the measures taken will be.
Drug therapy
Once the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease have been identified, drug treatment can be administered as effectively as possible.
Proper prescription of medicines is possible with an accurate understanding of those biochemical processes and morphological changes that contribute to the appearance of the disease.
Due to the fact that in Alzheimer's disease, the implementation of interneuronal connections is lost, carried out due to the passage of a nerve impulse, which, in turn, depends onacetylcholine mediator, the patient is prescribed drugs that increase the level of this element. This group of drugs includes cholinesterase inhibitors. To date, the most used drugs from this group are Rivastigmine, as well as its analogues Razadin and Aricept.
These drugs exhibit anticholinesterase activity and also prevent the formation of amyloid plaques.
In the mild and moderate stages of the pathology, the use of such drugs improves memory, increases a person's activity in everyday life, and also slows down the progression of the disease for a period of 6 to 12 months.
Research on the causes of Alzheimer's disease has also confirmed the fact that an excess of such a mediator as glutamate in the tissues of the cerebral cortex contributes to neuronal damage. In order to reduce the activity of this element, the patient is prescribed the drug Akatinol Memantine. This drug has a small list of side effects, and it has a positive effect on concentration, memory, and the retention of a person's practical skills.
Very often, doctors use combinations of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine when determining the course of therapy.
Simultaneously with the attempt to suspend interneuronal connections, mental symptoms are being treated. At the stage of manifestation of dementia in its moderate and severe form, a person has increased excitability. To eliminate it, tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, and neuroleptics are used. However, it is worth considering that these groups of medicines have a large number of side effects. That is why such drugs are selected by the attending physician for their patients individually.
Among the most modern means, the action of which is aimed at reducing the degree of excitation, are the following: "Closelin" and "Olanzapine", "Quetialin" and "Risperidone". With the manifestation of acute mental conditions, expressed as delusions, hallucinations and psychomotor agitation, the patient is prescribed the time-tested "Haloperidol".
Sonapax is considered a unique drug in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It combines the properties of a tranquilizer, antidepressant and antipsychotic. The drug helps in the fight against manic state, and also regulates the sleep pattern wonderfully, eliminating the restless feeling that is accompanied by aimless wandering. In addition, the universal drug treats depression, and also helps to eliminate anxiety and fear.
The drug Phenibut has similar qualities. It helps to improve cerebral circulation, the transmission of nerve impulses, as well as metabolic processes occurring in the brain tissues. The use of the drug significantly reduces the patient's anxiety, suppresses his sense of fear, improves memory, sleep, increases reaction speed, as well as mental and physical performance.
To mitigate the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, as well as with other types of dementia, drugs "Actovegin" and "Cerebrolysin" are used. These drugs protect the cells of the brainbrain from destructive factors, improving metabolism and blood circulation in its tissues. Such an action helps to improve memory, as well as to facilitate the patient's life, which eliminates his dependence on others.
Psychosocial Therapy
Such treatment serves as an addition to medication. Psychosocial therapy allows a person to adapt to it already in the early stages of the course of the disease. In the process of such therapy, work is carried out with memories, intellectual tasks are proposed for implementation. All this stimulates brain activity and has a positive effect on the patient. All these activities are carried out both individually and in groups.
Phytotherapy
This direction can be a good addition to taking medication. At the stage of mild dementia, it is recommended to use preparations based on ginkgo biloba leaves. Their reception helps to improve memory, increase concentration, and also affects learning. The action of such drugs is based on improving blood circulation in the brain tissues by increasing the level of acetylcholine and inhibiting the creation of platelets. One of these drugs is called Ginkgo Biloba, and the second is Memoplant.
Improve memory and plants from the ranunculus and barberry families, as well as hawthorn infusion (but not alcohol). Hypothalamus activity is increased by dandelion, calamus, elecampane, chicory and wormwood.
From sedatives, it is recommended to use mint, valerian, heather and St. John's wort.
Butonly it is impossible to use phytotherapy instead of drug treatment. In addition, in order not to harm your body, it is recommended that you first consult with your doctor.
Homeopathy
This direction should not be ignored either. However, it is not recommended to use it instead of drug therapy.
Prescribing homeopathic remedies should only be a doctor specializing in this area. As a rule, for Alzheimer's disease, as well as for other types of dementia, Barita Carbonica, B altisia, Shanrong Guben Huanshao Wan are used.
How to avoid pathology?
What is needed to prevent Alzheimer's disease? Treating the symptoms of dementia, as already mentioned, does not lead to complete relief from the problem. Therefore, it is so important to take measures to prevent the development of the disease.
You can prevent the occurrence of pathology as follows:
- Being more on the move. Recommended activities include walking to work, running in the morning, Nordic walking, cycling and swimming.
- Training not only the body, but also the mind. You can take part in intellectual games, learn foreign languages, plan financial affairs, solve crossword puzzles, play with grandchildren and children, collect Lego, gain new skills, master the possibilities of the Internet and computers.
- By organizing proper nutrition with the inclusion in the daily diet of products that are useful for metabolism and the brain. At the same time, it is worthexclude fast food, fatty and carbohydrate-rich foods from the menu. An introduction to the Mediterranean diet is recommended. Scientists believe that it helps reduce the risk of developing dementia by 40%.
- Giving up bad habits.
- Avoiding work in hazardous industries, as well as participation in traumatic sports.
- Controlling the level of glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, timely eliminating endocrine and vascular pathologies.
- Tempering up and not neglecting preventive vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases.
What else can prevent Alzheimer's disease? With symptoms of this pathology, one of the family members should receive a consultation with a geneticist and undergo an examination.
