Some facts you need to know about Alzheimer’s disease

What is Alzheimer’s disease – It is a neurological disorder that leads to memory, thinking, and behavioral problems. It is a neurodegenerative form of dementia and is most common among elders. Find doctor nearby in Bangalore with Cureplus.

Causes of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that is caused by brain cell death. As it is a neurodegenerative disease, so there is continuous brain cell death takes place over a period of time and Alzheimer’s results in significant brain shrinkage.

According to scientists, there are two types of abnormalities that are considered to be the main cause of the disease:

·         Tangles. These are found within the brain neurons that occur from a disintegration of protein, known as tau.

·         Plaque.  They are usually seen between the dying cells in the brain occur from the accumulation of a protein called beta-amyloid.

Signs & symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:

·         Confusion

·         Difficulty in performing tasks

·         Memory loss

·         Misplacing things

·         Problems in socializing

·         Challenges in solving simple problems

·         Vision issues

·         Difficulty in reading

·         Sudden personality changes

·         Withdrawal from social activities

·         Words repetition

Some important facts on Alzheimer’s disease

·         Nearly 50% of adults aged 85 and above have Alzheimer’s.

·         Women are more prone to have Alzheimer’s disease than men.

·         Alzheimer’s causes more than just memory loss.

·         It can develop in people as young as age 30.

·         Out of around 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer’s, more than half don’t know they have it.

·         Alzheimer’s is the 6^th leading cause of death in the U.S. and 5^th leading cause of death in adults aged 65 and above.

·         Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.

·         It occurs in seven stages.