World Alzheimer’s Day 2023: What you need to know about the neurological condition and here’s how you can help

There is more emphasis being placed on onersquos health and fitness now more than ever before and this has probably been triggered because of the Covid19 pandemic and its effects over the last three yearsWith people across all age groups facing various illnesses taking ones health for granted is no longer an option Alzheimers disease particularly affecting the elderly is among the concerns that demand attentionEvery year World Alzheimerrsquos Day is observed on September 21 to raise awareness and challenge the stigma about the neurological disease which Dr Annu Aggarwal consultant neurology Specialist Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital Mumbai says accounts for around 60 per cent of all cases of dementia Simply she explains ldquoAlzheimers disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory thinking and behaviourrdquo While the cause for the disease is still not entirely known and there is currently no cure for it there is a need to raise awareness about the disease that affects 1 in 8 people aged 65 and olderMiddaycom spoke to Aggarwal and Dr Pradyumna Oak director Neurology and Stroke Unit Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital who shed light on the symptoms effects and challenges The Mumbai specialists also share the common misconceptions how people around those with Alzheimerrsquos disease can help them in daily life and the need for awareness locally to help the patients better What is Alzheimers disease and how do people get itAggarwal Alzheimerrsquos disease is part of a group of neurological disorders known as dementia that result in decline in cognitive abilities such as memory thinking planning language skills and change in personality and behaviour In normal ageing the loss of intellectual or cognitive faculties is minimal and people can live independent and productive lives However in dementia this is affected and the result is an interference with a personrsquos ability to work and interact socially Alzheimers disease accounts for around 60 per cent of cases of dementiaAlzheimers disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory thinking and behaviour It is irreversible and over time affects the ability to carry out even simple tasks People affected by Alzheimer have progressive and frequent memory loss It is associated with deposition of abnormal proteins in the brain such as amyloid plaques and tau tangles which disrupt neuron function along with brain cell death and brain shrinkage Research has shown a loss of connections between nerve cells in the brain that result in messages not transmittedWhile the exact cause is not entirely understood and is the subject of ongoing research it is believed to result from a combination of genetic environmental and lifestyle factorsOak Alzheimers disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the memory thinking and behaviour primarily detected in the elderly population While the exact cause of Alzheimerrsquos disease is yet unknown its believed to be caused by a combination of genetic environmental and lifestyle factors We have observed a number of cases where genetic factors along with an agerelated degeneration of the brain results in the conditionWhich age group is prone to getting Alzheimers disease Does it affect any particular gender more than the otherAggarwal Alzheimerrsquos usually develops in men and women over the age of 65 years making this age group more prone to the condition However theres a form of the disease called earlyonset Alzheimers that can affect people in their 40s or 50s Women are somewhat more likely to develop Alzheimers than menIn India there are 4 million people currently living with dementia of which Alzheimers disease accounts for over 60 per cent of the cases This means that one in eight people aged 65 and older and nearly half of people aged 85 and older will develop dementiaOak Most commonly senior citizens above the age of 65 are the highrisk population for developing Alzheimers In rare cases though we have observed that individuals between the ages of 40 and 50 can also develop earlyonset Alzheimers As per some research conducted in India women seem to be slightly more affected than men but the exact cause of this needs additional researchWhat are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimers diseaseAggarwal Symptoms of Alzheimerrsquos include loss of memory difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying disorientation about time and place difficulty in performing routine tasks difficulty recognising faces and surroundings misplacing objects problems understanding visual or spatial cues issues with speech or writing problems with language personality and mood changesOak Alzheimerrsquos proves difficult to diagnose at initial stages due to its subtle symptoms such as forgetfulness difficulty in performing familiar tasks and trouble with language which are often cited as results of old age However as the disease progresses symptoms lead to confusion disorientation and behavioural changes Families of some patients have also reported noticeable changes in personality and social withdrawal as well mostly caused by inability to address the social group as effectively as in the pastWhat are the effects of Alzheimers on the personAggarwal As the disease progresses individuals may misplace items more frequently show decreased judgement might not recognise their loved ones may struggle with effective communication withdraw from social or work activities and undergo changes in mood or personality There may be mood swings bouts of depression and increased agitation These may appear in different degrees and it is advisable to consult a physician on noticing any of them Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation laboratory tests and specialised brain imagingOak Alzheimerrsquos proves difficult to diagnose at initial stages due to its subtle symptoms such as forgetfulness difficulty in performing familiar tasks and trouble with language which are often cited as results of old age However as the disease progresses symptoms lead to confusion disorientation and behavioural changes Families of some patients have also reported noticeable changes in personality and social withdrawal as well mostly caused by inability to address the social group as effectively as in the pastWhat are the challenges that a person with Alzheimers disease can face in daily lifeAggarwal In their daily life an individual with Alzheimers might grapple with remembering names or appointments misplacing items frequently difficulty in managing finances with trouble counting change or paying for a purchase making decisions and navigating familiar places If going out alone they can forget the way back and get lost Theres also the risk of social withdrawal and isolation due to fear or confusion which can make them vulnerable to scams or accidentsOak An Alzheimers patient faces difficulties in every task of the routine life They fail to remember recent conversations or events manage finances or be an effective part of any social group or situation As the disease advances they may struggle with physical tasks such as dressing eating and maintaining personal hygiene which further increases their dependency on the family members or caregiversCan Alzheimers be treatedAggarwal There is no cure for Alzheimers but certain drugs can alleviate and slow down symptoms and help improve cognitive abilities It can delay functional decline to an extent Treatment is also aimed at managing the behavioural problems such as depression agitation and aggression Nondrug strategies like cognitive stimulation and regular physical activity have shown promise in symptom managementOak There are a number of treatments available to manage Alzheimers disease Though reversing the loss of brain function is impossible with early intervention we can manage the condition slow down the progression and improve the quality of life These include better memory issues and slower cognitive decline as compared to absence of treatmentWhen should a person or the family consider getting expert advice for AlzheimersAggarwal At the first signs of cognitive difficulties or memory lapses its imperative to seek a medical evaluation With early detection patients can get the maximum benefit from available treatments to maintain their independence for a longer period Early diagnosis allows patients to participate in decisions about living options medical treatment financial and legal mattersOak Itrsquos advisable to seek a specialised neurology opinion at the first sign of memory loss or cognitive decline Early intervention can potentially help in managing the progression of the disease more effectivelyWhat are the common misconceptions about AlzheimersAggarwal The misconceptions surrounding Alzheimers include the belief that it is a normal part of ageing while others think it only affects the elderly Another common myth is that memory loss is the sole symptom overlooking the range of cognitive and behavioural changes that accompany the diseaseOak Most common misconception in India which thwarts the early intervention in patients with Alzheimers is that the condition is just a part of normal ageing which is not the case Additionally many believe that it solely affects memory whereas it can have a broader impact on cognitive and physical abilitiesAre there foods that can be eaten to delay the onset of AlzheimersAggarwal There is no specific food that can guarantee prevention However diets rich in fruits vegetables whole grains nuts fish and olive oil have been associated with a potentially reduced risk of developing Alzheimers The Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet as well as eating healthy have been associated with cognitive benefits in studies The link between diet and Alzheimerrsquos is still being evaluated The possible reasons certain diets may be of benefit includes the diet affecting biological mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation that trigger Alzheimerrsquos the diet working by impacting other risk factors of Alzheimerrsquos such as diabetes obesity and heart disease and a relationship between gut microbes and agingrelated processes that lead to Alzheimerrsquos However studies are still in progress as researchers continue to seek answersOak Alzheimerrsquos is the most common cause of dementia and a balanced diet rich in antioxidants vitamins and minerals coupled with regular physical activity can help in delaying the onset of dementia Incorporating a diet rich in fruits vegetables whole grains and lean proteins can be beneficial However in no scenario the diet or nonclinical therapies should be considered as a sole therapeutic option to manage the symptoms of AlzheimerrsquosHow can people who have Alzheimers deal with the diseaseAggarwal Staying socially active engaging in cognitive stimulating activities such as solving puzzles maintaining a routine using memory aids like calendars and reminders can help patients and their families deal with the changes that come with Alzheimerrsquos One can also join support groups or seek counsellingOak A number of factors such as structured daily routine engaging in cognitive therapies and staying socially connected can help in managing the disease Most important being an adequate family and friend support network which can improve the quality of life for Alzheimerrsquos patients It is also crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular medical checkupsHow can family or friends of those with Alzheimers help them deal with itAggarwal Family and friends can play a crucial role by showing patience and understanding along with unstinted support Assisting with daily tasks encouraging social interaction and creating a predictable safe environment is something that is invaluable Caregivers must learn more about the disease to offer better supportOak The emotional support network of family and friends plays a vital role in management of Alzheimerrsquos alongside clinical therapy Acting to their emotional needs assisting with daily tasks and encouraging physical and cognitive activities is known to provide the muchneeded moral boost to the patients Being patient and empathetic is vital in helping them cope with the diseaseHow can society and the local government body help people with Alzheimers at the civic levelAggarwal At a societal level there is a need to create awareness about dementia and Alzheimerrsquos among people There must be support for community programmes and training for caregivers There must be a focus on ensuring accessible and affordable medical care and longterm management of Alzheimerrsquos patients Policies should ensure that the legal rights of a patient must be protected and the patient is taken care off as the disease progresses and the patientrsquos condition worsensOak There is very little awareness about Alzheimerrsquos its causes effects and how to seamlessly make these patients a part of a sensitive community We can start with creating awareness about the condition at community level include educational institutes and establish support groups to provide resources The government can establish specialised healthcare facilities and initiate community screening programmes for early detection and management of Alzheimers