What is alzheimer's Disease ?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that
results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most
common cause of dementia in the elderly and affects many people at
old age with a gradual memory loss as well as impaired judgement,
difficulty concentrating, loss of language skills, personality changes,
and a decline in the ability to learn new tasks. Memory loss usually
begins at about age 65 and symptoms tend to become severe within 8
to 10 years. In some cases, symptoms may appear earlier in life and
advance at a faster or slower rate, but most people who develop symptoms
before the age of 60 tend to have more severe forms of the disease.
Currently, there is no cure for it, but studies suggest that medications,
herbs and supplements, and lifestyle adjustments may all help to slow
the progression and improve the symptoms of the disease.
Whats are signs and symptoms ?
The early symptoms of this disease are occasionally overlooked because
they resemble signs that many people attribute to "natural aging."
The following are the most common signs and symptoms of AD.
Whats
are psychological symptoms ?
- Memory
loss, including not recognizing friends and family members
- Difficulty
concentrating
- Difficulty
comprehending words, completing sentences, or finding the right
words
- Loss
of familiarity with surroundings, wandering aimlessly
- Depression
- Hallucinations,
delusions, and psychosis
- Aggression,
agitation, anxiety, restlessness
- Accusatory
behaviors (such as accusations of spousal infidelity)
- Withdrawal,
disinterest, hostility, loss of inhibitions
What
are physical symptoms ?
- Impaired
movement or coordination
- Muscle
rigidity, shuffling or dragging feet while walking
- Insomnia
or disturbances in sleep patterns
- Weight
loss
- Incontinence
- Muscle
twitching or seizures
What
are the causes ?
The causes of alzheimers are not entirely known but are thought to
include genetic and environmental factors.
What are the risk Factors ?
- The
causes and risk factors contributing to the development of it are
not entirely clear. Many factors seem to be associated with its
development.
- Family
history may be a factor.
- Older
age—20% to 40% of people with AD are older than 85
- Female
gender—while women tend to develop it more than men, this
may be related to the tendency for women to live longer
- Americans
are more likely to get it than Asians or Native Americans
- Long-term
high blood pressure
- History
of head injury
- Down
Syndrome
- Elevated
levels of homocysteine (a body chemical that contributes to chronic
illnesses such as heart disease, depression, diabetes mellitus and
alzheimers itself )
- Prolonged
exposure to electromagnetic fields
Diagnosis
There is no definitive test for its diagnosis. Its true diagnosis
is confirmed only by a careful history and a post mortem examination.
An EEG or a CT scan may be of high significance. MRI scan can play
role to. Some blood tests may also be used as specific markers for
certain chemicals present in the body following the development of
this disease.
How
can I prevent ?
This
is of utmost importance and it suggests that for a healthy brain a
diet not rich in fats especially that which can cause atheromatous
plaques leading to hypertension in early age, or a diet rich in omega
–3 – fatty acids should be avoided. For a healthy mind
ayurveda also prescribes for yogic exercises to relieve stress and
in turn lead a life which is more relaxedand devoid of conditions
like hypertension or diabetes mellitus.
What
is the prognosis and complication ?
A
person with Alzheimers can experience the following complications:
Falls,
"Sundowning, Malnutrition and dehydration, Infection, Asphyxiation,
Harmful or violent behavior toward self or others, Suicide, Poor health
and support due to caregiver burnout, Physical and emotional abuse,
including neglect, Coronary disease
Although
the following herbs have not been investigated in clinical studies,
a professional herbalist may recommend the following for people with
Alzheimers disease there mentions of these herbs in ayurvedic texts
in similar conditions.
• Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)
• Guarana (Paullinia cupana)
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica)
We
offer some classical Indian supportive remedies for this disease which
are supposed to be taken strictly under medical supervision. Kindly
Ask a Doctor
