The rise in Alzheimer's Disease

-
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die. It slowly destroys memory, thinking, behavior, and social skills to the extent that the person loses the ability to perform basic tasks, such as showering and dressing. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of Dementia. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include - memory loss, forgetting events, personal history, recent conversations, and appointments, inability to learn new things, confusion, getting lost and misplacing things, mood and behavioral changes, etc. Older adults aged 65 years and above are at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. The risk also increases in individuals with comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, metabolic disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, excessive alcohol consumption, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, head trauma, or a history of head trauma. The risk of Alzheimer's disease is higher in women; about 65% of Alzheimer's patients are women. In the USA and Canada, the risk of Alzheimer's disease is higher in the African American and Hispanic populations when compared to the White population. The risk of Alzheimer's increases if a parent/sibling has had the disease in the past. 

About 60% of Alzheimer's cases in patients over 65 years of age remain undiagnosed, which increases the complications of the disease, leading to severity. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is based on the patient/ close family members' ability to notice the symptoms in the patient and report them to the health care provider at the earliest. In addition, memory and thinking skills tests, physical and neurological examinations, blood tests, and imaging tests are used to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment for Alzheimer's disease includes symptomatic treatment and newer medicines that prevent the decline of brain activity. Several new drugs are in trials for Alzheimer's disease. In addition to this, making adjustments for the easy living of Alzheimer's patients is crucial. This includes auto-payment of bills, having a primary caregiver to support the patient in everyday tasks such as dressing, showering, and the timely administration of medications, as well as nutrition. Additionally, it involves installing sturdy handrails for support, alarms for doors, and medical ID/tracking devices for the patient.

The number of patients with Alzheimer's disease has exponentially increased in recent times. The number of Canadians with Alzheimer's disease is expected to grow from 1 million in 2030 to 1.7 million in 2050. The world population of patients with Alzheimer's is expected to double every 20 years, reaching 78 million in 2030 and 139 million in 2050. This increase in cases is due to the aging population of the World and the increase in comorbid diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, depression, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, etc. Alzheimer's is caused by the abnormal build-up of protein in and around brain cells. This may be due to a combination of age-related changes in the brain along with genetic, health, and lifestyle factors. 

Early detection and management of Alzheimer's disease is crucial. In addition to this prevention of Alzheimer's disease in older adults aged 60 and above is a high priority. This is done by proper management of comorbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Reducing alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking in all of its forms (e-cigarettes, hookah, vapes, etc.) is important. In addition to this, maintaining an active lifestyle with time spent outdoors doing physical activity, taking a healthy and balanced diet, and doing brain exercises has numerous benefits. Doing brain exercises improves the brain's cognitive ability and neuroplasticity, preventing the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Brain exercises include - jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, crossword puzzles, card games, coloring, using the non-dominant hand for daily tasks, learning new skills and languages, exercise and meditation, reading books, and travelling to new places. Though there may not be a definitive cure for Alzheimer's disease, many lifestyle changes, diet changes, and exercises can improve the neuroplasticity of the brain and thus improve the quality and length of life. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Prioritize your Health in this New Year 2026

-
Image
  We have all heard the phrase “ Health is Wealth. ” While it may sound cliché, it holds immense truth. Health is one of the most underrated yet powerful blessings in life. It influences every aspect of our well-being—productivity, finances, mental health, and overall quality of life. Poor health can lead to financial strain, reduced efficiency, emotional distress, and a diminished sense of fulfillment. As you step into the New Year 2026, make a conscious decision to prioritize your health. When setting your New Year’s resolutions, include health-focused goals and commit to them with discipline and consistency. By the end of the year, you will likely notice meaningful improvements in your physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. How Can You Prioritize Your Health? 1. Stay Physically Active Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as walking or aerobic activity) on 5 days per week, along...
Read more

Statin-induced Myopathy

-
Image
  Statins are commonly used drugs for lowering LDL/bad cholesterol and preventing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke. Statins are also known as HMG-Coenzyme A reductase inhibitors. They work by inhibiting the rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis, i.e., by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-Coenzyme A reductase (needed by the liver to produce cholesterol).  There are different types of Statins available (Lovastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin, Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Fluvastatin). The most potent statin is Rosuvastatin, followed by Atorvastatin.   The CYP3A4 metabolizes Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, and Lovastatin.  The CYP2C9 metabolizes Rosuvastatin and Fluvastatin.  Pravastatin is not metabolized by the CYP enzymes.  Despite the numerous benefits of Statins, there are some risks involved with the use of statins as well. One of them is Statin-induced myopathy. It is a muscle disorder characterized by muscle pain, weakness, and mu...
Read more

PCOS Epidemic

-
Image
  PCOS is the abbreviation of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is when the ovaries produce too much androgen, leading to a hormonal imbalance in women.  As a result, women with PCOS experience irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods, no ovulation, or unpredictable ovulation. The ovaries develop small fluid-filled sacs called cysts, which contain the undeveloped follicles. These follicles mature and release an egg - ovulation. Thus, there is no ovulation or unpredictable ovulation with PCOS. In addition to thi,s PCOS also causes acne, weight gain, increased facial and body hair, fatigue, hair fall, mood swings, pigmentation of skin, etc. Insulin resistance is also seen in PCOS, and it can increase the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. PCOS can happen in young girls as well, anytime after puberty. PCOS affects about 3.7%-22.5%, i.e, 1.3 crore to 7.9 crore women in India and 4%-20%, i.e., 8 crore to 40 crore women worldwide. These are huge numbers. Ther...
Read more