ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

ALZHEIMERS DISEASE 

Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neuro degenerative disease. It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that usually starts slowly and worsens overtime which will destroys memory and thinking skills and ability to carry out the simple tasks. In a person with Alzheimer’s disease, the tissue has lesser nerve cells and connections. 

Risk Factors: 

Aging 

Family History 

Carrying some genes 

Symptoms:

Memory loss

Confusion 

Irritability 

Meaningless repetition of own words

Personality changes

Anger

Mood swings 

Loneliness 

Depression 

Hallucination

Loss of Apetite

Restlessness 

Inability to combine muscle movements 

Confusion with time or place

Sleep disorders 

Difficulty in completing familiar tasks at home 

Diagnosis:

There is no definitive test for detecting Alzheimer’s disease. So careful and proper medical evaluation is needed to diagnose. 

> Health History: Any other medical conditions and Medications you take 

> Family History: Any illnesses in the family

> Personal History: Marital status, living conditions, employment. 

> Mental State Examination: 

• Memory Questions 

• Counting skills

• Attention span 

• Problem solving skills

> CT scan to show brain changes 

> MRI shows brain changes linked to the disease 

> Neuropsychological testing which helps to study the relationship between brain and behaviour and helps in diagnosing disease and planning treatment of conditions that effect thinking, emotion and behaviour.

AVOID THESE BAD HABITS WHICH HURTS YOUR BRAIN AND LEADS TO DEMENTIA: 

1. Avoid using gadgets in the bedtime because you may miss out on sleep 

2. Avoid too much alone time 

3. Avoid eating too much Junk food which will effect your learning, memory and mental health 

4. If you are just sitting on a chair more time and not doing any exercises and not moving enough then chances of developing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure which all are linked to Alzheimer’s disease

5. Avoid smoking because it makes brain worse 

6. Avoid eating too much food, even if you eat right food also your brain may not be able to build the strong network of connections that help you think and remember. You may  also become obese and leads to certain diseases which causes dementia 

7. Avoid staying in the dark rooms too much because if you are not exposing to natural light you may get depressed and that can slow down your brain. 

PREVENTION: 

1. Regular exercise plan 

2. Following proper and healthy diet 

3. Manage the risk of certain diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure 

4. Control intake of Alcohol and smoking 

5. Maintain healthy cardiovascular system 

6. Take proper cognitive training regularly throughout life.

TREATMENT: 

There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The death of the brain cells cannot be reversed. There are no disease modifying drugs but some drugs are there to help to reduce the symptoms and improves the quality of life. Doctor will assess you and advices you accordingly. 

Physical therapy:

Exercises play an important role in this disease. It is beneficial for both physical and mental health. So it is good to continue it as long as possible because exercises help to improve memory, reasoning, thinking skills, judgment and helps in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and also helps in strengthening the bones and muscles. Your physical therapist will assess you and he will plan treatment accordingly. Plz start any exercise program by doctors advise and under supervision of qualified physical therapist. Try to work out atleast 30 minutes and 5 days a week. 

> Initially start with warm up exercises 

> Walking 

> Stretching Exercises 

> Aerobics 

> Frankels Exercises to improve coordination 

> Cardio workouts 

> Community workouts like Swimming, dance, lawn bowling, water aerobics 

> Chair Exercises for people who are not physically moving. You can encourage them to do activities like Neck and shoulder rotations, twisting upper body and leg movements and quadriceps muscle exercises for knee joint 

> Encourage them to do any activities as they wish because some activity is better than none

BRAIN EXERCISES 

Along with the physical exercises, the brain exercises also plays an important role to keep brain sharp and improves emotional health. Brain exercises are like some enjoyable activities that stimulates brain continuously and keep your recall abilities high. 

1. Puzzles like Sudoku, cross words and sliding puzzles. The puzzles target several sections of brain and stimulates reasoning and problem solving functions

2. Learn any new skill by attending lectures and classes

3. Books reading is a less stress way to keep brain sharp. Avoid watching TV as it lowers the brain function 

4. Gardening helps to improve social skills and cognitive abilities. While doing gardening you can directly exposure to sunlight and helps in producing vitamin D in the skin. This vitamin D is using as a treatment for dementia 

5. Listening to music enhances motivation and decreases anxiety and also stimulates the brain hormones 

6. For hand eye coordination, sewing and needle work which always keeps the brain functioning 

7. Yoga and meditation are able to decrease stress, blood pressure, pain and increase healing and decreases inflammation

Plz consult your doctor before starting any exercise program