Alzheimer’s disease is currently the most common type of dementia in the world after the age of 65. In this disease, the impaired brain function is ‘memory ‘and leads to memory, thought and behaviour problems. Problems progress over time and can get worse enough to affect daily activities.
Although the causes of this disease are not known, hereditary factors, protein accumulation in the brain, death of brain cells, impaired neural conduction, advanced age, past depression, heart attack, blood pressure and high cholesterol levels and serious head traumas are among the risk factors.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include forgetfulness that starts to affect daily life, problems in making plans and solving problems, difficulties in doing previously known and performed works, confusion about time and place, difficulties in understanding and associating images, difficulties in finding words in speech and writing, incorrect placement of objects, difficulty in making decisions, getting away from social activities and obligations, personality changes, etc.
Although there is no definitive treatment today, the problems experienced can be reduced by slowing the progression of the disease. A number of treatments have been developed to improve the patient’s quality of life and to cope with the psychological problems that arise. Early diagnosis and treatment is very important to slow the progression of the disease.
The information on this page has been prepared by the Moodist Psychiatry and Neurology Hospital Medical Team.
