Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.  Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes atrophy and death of brain cells. When the problem progresses, it prevents the patient from doing his or her daily work, recognizing friends, relatives, and understanding. 

History of the disease:   

Dr. Alice Alzheimer’s first described the disease in 1906. A man named Auguste Deter was suffering from illusory vision and thoughts, memory impairment, difficulty speaking, not being able to remember the correct word, irritable mood, anger, intolerance, skepticism etc. Postmortem examination showed that his brain was small in size. Nerve fibers are severely affected by amyloid plaques and the remaining neurons are filled with neurofibrillary tangles. In her brain at autopsy, Dr.  Alzheimer saw dramatic shrinkage and abnormal deposits in and around nerve cells. This type of disease was later named Alzheimer’s disease. 

Causes:   

The exact causes of Alzheimer’s disease aren’t fully understood. But at a basic level, brain proteins fail to function normally, which disrupts the work of brain cells (neurons) and triggers a series of toxic events. Neurons are damaged, lose connections to each other and eventually die. The disease may be caused by heredity and genetics, lifestyle and environmental factors. In this disease, a special type of two proteins, Plaques and Tangles, accumulates in the brain cells and causes damage and destruction. At the root of all this is the accumulation of advanced glycation and products through the process of non-enzymatic glycation. These destroy neurons and their interconnections. These changes occur slowly when the amount of glucose is normal and fast when it is high. The poor sleep patterns may be one of the cause of the disease. 

Symptoms: 

Memory loss is the key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease. Early signs include difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. As the disease progresses, memory impairments worsen and other symptoms develop. Most Important and common symptoms are disrupting daily life, challenging in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, New problems with words in speaking or writing, repeat statements and questions over and over, forgetting conversations, appointments or events, getting lost in familiar places, eventually forgetting the names of family members and everyday objects, etc. 

Some medications help a patient retain their memory for a short time, but their effectiveness diminishes over time. People with a variety of complex diseases can also suffer from Alzheimer’s disease at the same time. Elderly patients need to be treated considering the risk of Alzheimer’s with all diseases. 

Prevention :

 Alzheimer’s disease is not a preventable condition. However, a number of lifestyle risk factors for Alzheimer’s can be modified. Evidence suggests that changes in diet, exercise and habits, steps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease may also lower your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia. Heart-healthy lifestyle choices may reduce the risk of Alzheimer Asking your doctor for help to quit smoking if he smokes, etc. 

Medicine as well as service and care, love, family, social and organizational support are needed. Although the brain of these patients loses memory, it does not lose the power of perception, ego, respect and personality. He does not expect any negligence, carelessness or abuse. He is anxious, worried and helpless because of his disability. He hopes for a faithful helper. Stay away from loved ones and fear strangers. And the role of grandchildren can be very important. Because their grandparents love their service, think of them as friends, trust and love them. 

Members of the family and relatives need to provide appropriate explanations, advice and training on degenerative neuropathy. We have to create the mentality of accepting reality. The patient’s family problems should be dealt with while the patient’s memory is sufficiently present. Ensure a calm and friendly environment by avoiding dangerous issues.