CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) reports say that in 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 80% of cases of Dementia. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
Definition
It is a progressive degenerative disease of your brain and nervous system that causes problems with memory and thinking, behavior and language. In Alzheimer’s disease, the brain cells degrade and die, causing a steady decline in memory and mental function.
As it worsens, Alzheimer’s may cause changes in mood or behavior, it gets harder to carry out daily activities (such as getting dressed or preparing meals), and an increased vulnerability to depression.
Causes
There are several factors that contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s. These are:
- Genetics: The risk is higher if a person has a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Environmental factors: Some environmental triggers may trigger the onset of dementia at any age, including head trauma; air pollution; alcohol abuse; drug use; sleep disorders (insomnia); depression and stress; vitamin deficiencies (vitamin B12); high blood pressure; obesity
Risk factors
- Age: The risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age. The average age of onset is 70 years old, but it can occur in people as young as 40 years old and older than 90 years old.
- Family history: If you have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease, your risk of developing it is increased by up to three times compared to those who do not have family members with the disease.
- Gender: More women are affected by Alzheimer’s disease than men, although this may be due in part to underreporting among men.
- Race/ethnicity: African Americans have the highest incidence rate for Alzheimer’s disease than any other ethnic group worldwide; however, European Americans comprise 80% of all people diagnosed with AD.
Signs and Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease can cause changes in behavior, including:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Difficulty performing routine tasks at home and/or at work
- Confusion with time or places
- Mood swings and aggression
- Trouble completing familiar tasks
Watch for these signs:
* Memory loss that disrupts daily life
*Difficulty performing routine activities
* Problems with abstract thinking, planning and problem solving
* Losing or forgetting things
*Getting lost in familiar places
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is made by a doctor based on your symptoms, medical history, and mental status examination. Brain imaging or blood tests may be done to make the diagnosis more certain.
However, it’s not always easy to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. It can often be confused with other conditions and sometimes it may take years before the correct diagnosis is made. In fact, many people may have another condition such as vascular dementia or depression that has similar symptoms but is treatable. It can sometimes take up to 10 years after symptoms start appearing before someone is correctly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
Treatment and care
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving the quality of life of the patient.
- Behavioral therapy focuses on reducing the effects of stressors on the person with Alzheimer’s, such as confusion or agitation. For example, a caregiver may remove distractions in the home environment (such as turning off a loud television), use a consistent set of instructions when giving commands or changing tasks, or provide more frequent breaks during routine activities (such as doing housework).
- In most cases, medications can help manage symptoms such as depression or anxiety.
- Other therapies include physical therapy exercises designed to maintain muscle strength and balance.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis and proper care may help slow down its progression. Join us in our efforts to fight Alzheimer’s and make life better for you!
Doral Health and Wellness has several urgent care clinics around New York that can cater to your family’s medical needs. We also have the best medical providers, physicians and staff that are highly trained in their respective specialties. To know more about the locations of our urgent care clinics, you can visit us at Doral Health and Wellness. If you are looking for urgent care near you, you can visit Doral Health and Wellness Urgent Care. We provide urgent care for common illnesses and injuries. Additionally, we also provide comprehensive care for any related injuries and health problems. We also offer other services, such as vaccinations, immunizations, and blood testing. For more info, visit us or call +1-718-367-2555.
