Alzheimer’s disease, also known as Alzheimer’s disease or neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease, is a degenerative brain disease that causes, as a first sign, subtle and difficult-to-notice memory changes at first, but worsens over months and years.
This disease is more common in the elderly, and the progression of symptoms can be divided into 3 stages, which are mild, moderate and severe, and some initial clinical signs are changes such as difficulty finding words, not knowing where to find time or where it is difficult to make decisions and lacks initiative, for example.
- However.
- The symptoms of the different stages can be mixed and the duration of each step can vary from person to person.
- In addition.
- The disease can also occur in young people.
- A rare and rapidly evolving situation known as early.
- Hereditary or family Alzheimer’s.
- Learn how to identify Alzheimer’s disease early.
In the initial stage, symptoms such as
At this stage, memory impairment occurs in recent situations and the memory of past situations remains normal, making it more difficult to realize that it may be a sign of Alzheimer’s.
Thus, when these changes are observed, they should not be associated only with normal aging, and it is advisable to go to the geriatrician or neurologist so that memory assessments and tests can be performed, which can identify more serious changes.
If you have doubts that someone close to you has this disease, answer the questions from our rapid Alzheimer’s test.
Gradually, symptoms begin to become more apparent and may appear
At this stage, older adults become dependent on a family member to take care of the accommodation, as they can no longer perform their daily tasks, due to all the difficulties and mental confusion, in addition, they may start to have difficulty walking.and have sleep changes.
In the most severe phase, previous symptoms occur with greater intensity and others appear, such as:
At this stage, the person may start to lie down or sit more throughout the day and, if nothing is done to prevent it, the tendency is to become increasingly fragile and limited, for example, he may need to use a wheelchair or even be bedridden, becoming dependent on other people to perform all the tasks , such as showering or changing diapers.
To diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, you should see your geriatrician or neurologist, who may:
These assessments may indicate the presence of a memory disorder, as well as exclude other conditions that can also cause brain disorders, such as depression, stroke, hypothyroidism, HIV, advanced syphilis or other degenerative brain diseases such as Lewy’s body dementia, for example.
If Alzheimer’s disease is confirmed, treatment will be indicated by the use of medicines to limit disease progression, such as dopedzil, galantamine or rivastigmine.See more details about treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, activities such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, physical activity and speech therapy are performed to help maintain independence and the ability to perform activities for as long as possible.
Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, how to prevent it, and how to care for the person with Alzheimer’s: