As we age, we tend to forget things more easily… doing even small tasks can lead to forgetfulness…. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia in which acetylcholine, a substance related to memory, learning, and various cognitive processes, decreases, causing patients to experience memory loss.
Because “The older you get, the higher the risk”
Alzheimer’s disease is almost uncontrollable, and anyone can develop it. For the elderly, those aged 65–69 start to have a chance of developing it, and the risk increases significantly after 80 years old. If there is a family history of the disease, the risk is even higher.
Symptoms in the arms: Patients may experience pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms, elbows, or fingers, making it difficult to sign their name, write, play music, button clothes, or perform fine motor tasks as before.
Symptoms in the legs: If there is spinal cord compression, patients may not feel pain but will experience abnormal walking patterns, such as stiff legs, unsteady walking as if prone to falling, short steps… unable to keep up with others, walking in a robotic manner. If left untreated for a long time… it can lead to muscle atrophy and eventually inability to walk.
Is Alzheimer’s dementia curable?
Although Alzheimer’s disease cannot be completely cured, treatment can improve symptoms, restore balance, help patients take care of themselves, and enhance their quality of life. The medications used work by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, reducing the breakdown of acetylcholine, and maintaining acetylcholine levels within the normal range, helping patients regain a more normal life.
Alzheimer’s… Early detection and treatment lead to better outcomes
The sooner relatives or patients recognize the symptoms, the better, because effective treatment requires cooperation between doctors, family, and patients to plan lifestyle adjustments to slow brain degeneration. Over time, dementia worsens and can impact the family in many ways.
For Alzheimer’s disease, the “family” is very important for the patient. Families must understand the disease well and encourage the patient without blaming or pressuring them, as this affects the patient’s mental health. It is crucial to maintain a positive outlook to prevent stress and help the patient be happy.
11 Ways to Check… Are You at Risk of Alzheimer’s?
Check yourself… if you answer “yes” to more than 4 items… you may be at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Frequently asking the same questions repeatedly
- Increasing forgetfulness, having trouble with short-term memory
- Needing reminders to perform necessary activities
- Forgetting appointments or important family occasions such as birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or special holidays
- Becoming withdrawn, depressed, or crying more often than before
- Having difficulty with calculations, managing money, or handling financial matters
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities such as hobbies or social events
- Needing help with daily activities such as eating
- Becoming more irritable, moody, suspicious, or experiencing hallucinations or false beliefs
- Having problems with directions, such as getting lost while driving, forgetting routes, driving unsafely, or stopping driving altogether
- Having difficulty finding the right words, naming people or objects, or not finishing sentences
