Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease is a disease related to the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. It is the most common type of dementia, involving the degeneration of all parts of the brain cells. It is incurable. Patients cannot control their emotions, cannot distinguish right from wrong, have language problems, lose muscle coordination, and experience memory loss. In the final stage of the disease, they lose all memory.
According to epidemiological statistics from the World Health Organization, the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease increase with age. One in four elderly people aged 85 has Alzheimer’s disease. At age 95, in Thailand, about 2–3 % of people over 60 years old have this disease. The older the age, the more patients with this disease are found. Although this disease cannot be prevented or cured, we can help patients by knowing the correct care methods.
Main Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Abnormalities in brain tissue
- Inflammation: When amyloid breaks down, it releases free radicals that cause inflammation of brain cells
- Genetics
Risk Factors
- The older the age, the higher the chance of having the disease. Statistics show that 25% of people aged 85 have this disease
- Chronic diseases such as hypertension, kidney disease, and diabetes cause memory loss
- Genetics: If a family member has Alzheimer’s disease, the chance of developing it increases
- Certain behaviors such as living carelessly, neglecting responsibilities, or not exercising the mind
Disease Progression
Symptoms usually begin at age 65, but some cases start earlier, possibly at age 40. Patients typically die within 2–10 years due to complications such as pneumonia or pressure ulcers
Alzheimer’s Disease Can Be Divided into 3 Stages
- Early Stage Patients realize they are forgetful, forget to turn off the iron, forget to close doors, forget names, forget to take medication, and need help writing a to-do list
- Second Stage Patients lose memory, especially recent memories, may remember past events, start using incorrect words, and have mood swings
- Third Stage Patients become confused, lose track of days and months, some experience delusions or hallucinations, some may become violently aggressive, have urinary incontinence, and neglect self-care
Currently, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can be used to detect brain pathology or other types of dementia. It examines abnormalities in brain tissue, brain cells, protein accumulation in cerebral blood vessel walls, and loss of neural connections. These pathologies cause a decrease in neurotransmitters in various parts of the brain, leading to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Caring for Alzheimer’s Patients
Caring for Alzheimer’s patients is very important. We must understand and sympathize that patients do not intend to be aggressive or irritable as seen, but it is caused by the disease itself. We should not make patients feel insecure, embarrassed, or frustrated.
- Arrange the room or house to be pleasant and bright, using light colors. For those who like to walk around a lot, use distraction techniques to divert their attention
- Keep sharp objects or electrical appliances out of reach and always turn off the gas valve
- For patients with difficult symptoms such as severe aggression, loud outbursts, severe confusion, or frequent wandering outside, they should see a neurologist as medication may be necessary to reduce these symptoms
We can maintain brain health and prevent Alzheimer’s by “reading books”. Reading books and engaging in activities such as exercising, listening to music, doing art or crafts can help slow brain degeneration because the brain is constantly stimulated. It is comparable to machinery; regular use reduces rust buildup. For those who already love reading, this is an advantage in slowing dementia. If you feel sleepy every time you read, start with short articles and gradually train yourself to love reading more. You might begin by reading before bed, starting with articles, then moving to short stories. Reading also helps you sleep better because it improves concentration and calms the mind. Reading in soft, gentle light signals the body that it is time to rest and sleep.
Develop These Daily Habits to Stay Away from Alzheimer’s
Taking care of your body to be healthy and strong is another way to keep Alzheimer’s and dementia at bay. We must maintain good blood circulation, provide the body with adequate oxygen, energy, and nutrients, control body weight, avoid high blood fat, and exercise regularly. Additionally, trying new activities such as changing daily routines (e.g., brushing teeth with the left hand instead of the right), drinking tea instead of coffee, changing transportation methods, altering activities and environments at work, changing eating habits, and changing leisure activities can help. Studies have also found that meditation benefits memory, attention, executive function, and social awareness. Therefore, meditation helps prevent dementia as well.
