Alzheimer's disease is a slowly progressive brain disorder, marked by increasing memory loss and disorientation. This is a very heart-wrenching experience for the patients and their caregivers. Early treatment may help slow down and some times even reverse the course of this severely debilitating disease. Alzheimer's disease affects about 6% of people over the age of 65 and 20% of those over 85. It is estimated that more than 35 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder which impairs memory and mental faculties. The onset of Alzheimer's disease is typically very slow and unrecognizable. During the initial stages, the patients have short-term memory loss and many times experience difficulty in making simple decisions.

Advanced stages progress to loss of memory and speech, loss of bladder and bowel control, and changes in temperament, such as excessive hostility or withdrawing from others.

The memory loss includes inability to recall recent events and difficulty finding appropriate words or solving even basic problems.

Disorientation, including getting lost in your own neighbourhood or even inside your own home.

Personality changes are marked by agitation, anxiety, combativeness, indifference to others - including loved ones, social withdrawal or poor judgement.

Language impairment is marked by rambling speech, long pauses, thought repetition, speaking gibberish or words that make no sense.

There is an inability to perform even significantly small daily tasks such as wearing your own shoes.

When to Seek Help

If you or a family member experiences serious disorientation or a change in behavior as mentioned above, get a full medical checkup scheduled, including a complete assessment for dementia.

Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

There are still no known causes of Alzheimer's disease but it is attributed to various factors. It is marked by a major loss of nerve cells in the brain, particularly in areas that control memory and thinking. The disease is also characterised by reduced levels of brain chemicals important for memory. Decreased blood flow in the brain or a series of small strokes may contribute to memory loss as well.

It has also been noted that Alzheimer's disease, with other forms of memory loss such as dementia may also be the result of decrease in thyroid secretions, deficiency of B12 vitamins in the body, infection in the membranes covering the brain, increase in amounts of fluids in brain cavities etc.

Hereditary attributes, such as a family history of the disease can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. 

Other possible reasons may include serious head injury, cardiovascular disease and slow acting viruses.

Supplements to Help Alzheimer's disease

Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, researches are still going on to find the drug that will battle this debilitating disease. Still, encouragingly enough, scientists continue to make strides in treating the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. 

Supplements may help restore mental functioning during the earlier stages of the disease and may even delay the onset of advanced symptoms to a great extent. As soon you notice the first symptoms, begin taking supplements immediately. The supplements can be taken with other medications that you may be taking, but it is still advisable to check with your doctor first. 

Trial studies have demonstrated that a herb called ginkgo biloba,  may improve memory in some people. Ginkgo biloba has been known to increase the blood supply to brain. It may also have antioxidant properties, thereby playing a key role in maintaining healthy nerve cells.

 Other antioxidants that may be beneficial include Vitamins C, E, mixed carotenoids, and coenzyme Q10. These can be combined in convenient and economical preparations.

In addition, try and get enough B vitamins - low levels of these vitamins have been associated with Alzheimer's disease. Take supplements of Vitamin B Complex with extra vitamin B6.

Other herbal supplements that work on Alzheimer's are evening primrose oil , gotu kola and Siberian ginseng; which are known to improve memory by improving the transmissions of nerve impulses in the brain.

Two other nutrients may also help boost memory-enhancing brain chemicals - the amino-acid-like substances acetyl L-carnitine or phosphatidylserine.

Studies in Switzerland have demonstrated that older people with higher levels of beta-carotene and vitamin C did better on vocabulary and recognition memory tasks than those with lower levels. Hence taking enough foods rich in these nutrients may help to a great extent.

In some studies, it has been seen that patients who suffer from arthritis have a significantly lower incidence of developing Alzheimer's, this has been attributed to their taking ibuprofen, aspirin, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). So studies are on to find a cure based on these drugs.

Exercise Regularly

It goes without saying that regular exercises benefit in more ways than just physical. Even a short brisk walk daily can help improve the mental abilities to a great extent. Hence the more you walk, the better your memory will improve.

Keep your mind actively engaged in a variety of activities such as reading, writing, performing memory exercises etc.

Stay relaxed to improve memory and concentration.

Regular yoga helps. There are some asanas that help improve thyroid function. These can learnt from a certified yoga practitioner and practised daily.

Alzheimer's Disease in India

India is passing through a phase of major change at the moment. Due to availability and accessibility of various medical facilities and treatments, the longevity of people's age is increasing, while at the same time, there is decrease in mortality rates. This means that the age of the population is increasing. As per the predictions, by the year 2020, one-fifth of the total population in India will be of older people.  This also means that the patients of Alzheimer's disease are going to increase that many number of times. Therefore, we have to be prepared to face those circumstances and maybe start trying now to slow the impact of this disease. We could at least start taking subsequent measures in our own families.