What is Alzheimer's Disease? Symptoms and Treatment

Alzheimer's disease, one of the types of dementia commonly referred to as senility, is caused by the death of brain cells that occurs over time. Alzheimer's leads to a decrease in cognitive functions and is one of the most common types of dementia in society. As a neurological disease, Alzheimer's results in the loss of brain cells. Due to cell loss, the brain shrinks and reduces in size. In the early stages, the disease causes simple forgetfulness, but as it progresses, the person gradually forgets recent events. Over time, the individual may become unable to recognize their close surroundings and family members and may struggle to control their emotions and thoughts. Alzheimer's symptoms, which are often seen after the age of 60, develop gradually. Therefore, the initial stage of the disease may not be noticeable to the person or their loved ones. However, as the disease progresses, it eventually leads to an inability to perform daily activities.

What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia and one of the most common neurological disorders. It is a progressive condition often seen after the age of 60 and is sometimes referred to as a disease of old age. Alzheimer's occurs due to the accumulation of proteins in the brain. Over time, there is an increase in the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the tissues of the nerve cells in the brain. The buildup of these proteins disrupts the connections between the nerve cells. When nerve cells lose their ability to connect, they begin to die. This process negatively affects the individual's mental functions. Although the exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not fully understood, it is believed to occur due to the loss of brain cells happening much earlier than expected. In other words, while the loss of brain cells with age is considered normal, the cell loss in Alzheimer's occurs at a much faster rate than would normally be anticipated. Early-stage symptoms of Alzheimer's include mild forgetfulness, which progressively leads to confusion. In Alzheimer's, the person's perception of time and space also deteriorates, and the act of forgetting starts with recent events and moves backward in time.

What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?

The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include forgetfulness, which is mild in the early stages of the disease but gradually progresses to the point where the person may be unable to perform simple actions, such as having a conversation. This disease significantly decreases the individual's quality of life and also negatively impacts the lives of caregivers. Alzheimer's symptoms vary at different stages: early, middle, and late. When examined by stages, the symptoms of Alzheimer's can be listed as follows:

Early Stage Alzheimer’s Symptoms

In the initial stage of the disease, common Alzheimer's symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Forgetting events
• Inability to remember the names of objects and people
• Getting lost or confused with directions
• Difficulty making decisions
• Repeatedly talking about the same things
• Feeling anxious
• Mood swings

Middle Stage Alzheimer’s Symptoms

The middle stage, which follows the early stage, is marked by the following symptoms:

• Exhibiting excited and angry behavior
• Experiencing hallucinations
• Suspecting family members and friends
• Difficulty with speech
• Aggressive behavior
• Inability to adapt to unfamiliar environments
• Denial of forgotten events
• Obsessive behaviors
• Confusion in time perception
• Depression

Late Stage Alzheimer’s Symptoms

The final stage of Alzheimer's, known as the late stage, includes the following symptoms:

• Loss of speech
• Short-term and long-term memory problems
• Difficulty eating
• Weight loss
• Incontinence
• Inability to move without assistance

Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is primarily examined in three stages: early, middle, and late. In the early stage of Alzheimer's, a person may experience mild forgetfulness, but they can tolerate this condition. Individuals in the early stage may have difficulty remembering the names of people they have just met, and they may face challenges with planning. The middle stage is considered the longest phase of Alzheimer's disease. In this stage, the symptoms become more noticeable, and the person struggles to express their thoughts. As they have trouble with routine tasks, they may eventually forget the way to their own home. In this stage, issues with controlling bladder and bowel movements begin. After the middle stage, the late stage of Alzheimer's follows. In the final stage of Alzheimer's, the person requires care for almost every aspect of their life and loses awareness of their surroundings. Communication becomes difficult, and the person can no longer perform even physical tasks independently.

Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease, which is associated with the abnormal accumulation of beta-amyloid protein in the brain, is not yet fully understood. However, the factors thought to contribute to Alzheimer's include:

• Age
• Presence of certain vascular diseases
• Previous traumatic events
• Being an APOE4 carrier
• Family history of Alzheimer's
• Past history of depression
• Low education level
• Sleep disturbances
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition
• Smoking

Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease

When a person seeks medical attention for Alzheimer's, the doctor takes a medical history from the patient and their close relatives, followed by a neurological examination. After the neurological tests, the doctor may request neurocognitive tests, MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, and laboratory tests to check hormones, vitamins, and other necessary values. Based on the findings, the patient is reassessed. In some cases, genetic testing may be done to clarify the diagnosis. Alzheimer's is diagnosed based on all the data, particularly the course of the disease.

Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Despite extensive research on Alzheimer's disease, no treatment has been found to cure the disease. However, there are various treatment approaches aimed at slowing the progression of the disease and reducing existing symptoms. Treatments are typically started with low-dose medications, tailored to the individual. As the disease progresses, the patient is reassessed, and the dosage of medication may be increased as needed. The goal of treatment is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and their caregivers by enabling the individual to carry out daily activities independently.

Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer's Disease

Here are some common questions asked by individuals with early signs of Alzheimer's and their caregivers:

1. How long does the final stage of Alzheimer's disease last?

   Alzheimer's disease consists of three stages, and the progression of the disease varies from person to person. Therefore, the duration of the final stage can also vary.

2. What should Alzheimer's patients avoid eating?

   Although the diet program for Alzheimer's patients is personalized, it is recommended to follow a diet that is low in sugar, carbohydrates, and processed foods.

3. What should be done to avoid Alzheimer's?

   To reduce the risk of Alzheimer's, it is suggested to continuously engage in mental activities. This can include reading new materials, researching, learning a new language—activities that are known to lower the chances of developing Alzheimer's. In addition, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, regular exercise, and consistent sleep patterns are also important.