Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and usually starts from age 65.

1 May 2021 | 5 Min. Reading Time

Overview

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and usually starts from age 65. The cells in the brain slowly waste away, leading to a continuous decline in mental function. Over time, even the ability to carry out simple everyday tasks is lost and patients become completely dependent on care. An active life consistently filled with new mental challenges (lifelong learning) can help prevent Alzheimer’s.

Symptoms

Cognitive symptoms
- Growing forgetfulness (first short-term and then long-term memory)
- Trouble finding the right words or forming sentences
- Loss of ability to read, write and do arithmetic
- Memory loss (names, persons, events)
- Loss of temporal/geographic orientation
Personality disorders
- Disinhibited social behaviour
- Mood swings
- Decrease in activity and motivation
- Depressed outlook
- Delusions and hallucinations
Movement disorders
- Hyperactivity (restlessness, aggression)
- Lack of motion (slow, uncoordinated, grasping at nothing)
Accompanying symptoms
- Physical weakness
- Loss of social contact
- Sleep disorders
- Eating disorders
- Poor personal hygiene
- Loss of bladder and bowel control

Causes and treatment

Causes

The cause is not yet known
Risk factors
- Age (> 65 years)
- First-degree relatives with dementia
- High blood pressure, arterial calcification
- Diabetes
- Traumatic brain injury
- Low level of education
- Lack of mental challenges

Further treatment by your doctor / in hospital

Possible tests

Physical and psychiatric examination
Tests to assess mental skills (memory, concentration)
Tests to assess execution of everyday tasks
CT scan (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)
Examination of cerebrospinal fluid (lumbar puncture), if necessary

Possible therapies

Brain gym
Mobilisation of physical resources (encourage exercise, sports group)
Medication (to slow down progression, reduce the symptoms)
Enable a balanced diet
Organisational measures
- Information about disease progression (patient/family members)
- Clarify need for care (Spitex, cared for by family members, nursing home)
- Social counselling (finances, social support)
- Promote independence (e.g. daily schedule for everyday tasks)
- Social integration (group activities)

What can I do myself?

Have risk factors treated, if possible
Lead an active and busy life
- Mobility
- Keep up social contacts
Build up a support network
Motto: lifelong learning – learning until you reach old age (mental fitness, "staying on the ball")
- Break routines
- Set new challenges
Ensure a balanced diet

When to see a doctor?

Generally if Alzheimer’s is suspected (by patient or family members)
- Growing concentration difficulties
- Noticeable dependence on memory aids (notes, memos, calendar entries)
- Appointments are regularly missed/forgotten
- Glasses, keys, etc. are regularly mislaid, lost
- Difficulty in finding the right words
- Familiar people aren't recognised immediately
- Problems with orientation
- Fluctuations in mood
- Aggressive behaviour (physical/verbal)
- Day and night rhythms get mixed up
- Degeneration in personal care and hygiene
- Noticeable weight loss or weight gain