Alzheimer’s Disease
It is a progressive neurological disorder. One of the most common types of dementia, it is characterized by a number of symptoms that start with minor memory loss and may eventually affect one’s ability to communicate and respond to their environment. Alzheimer’s disease impairs a person’s memory along with their ability for learning, reason, think, make decisions, communicate, and organize skills. It can significantly impair a people’s ability to carry out daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.
The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s get worse with time. When mental issues do become visible, they are often identified as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI patients are quite likely to progress to dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. (Dementia may also result from a number of conditions, including vascular dementia, Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and others.). Alzheimer’s disease patients who have severe dementia are unable to communicate, recognize friends and relatives, or take care of themselves.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease does not occur naturally as people age. The signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease vary from person to person and worsen with time. One of the initial symptoms of disease and other dementias is frequent memory loss. Individual disease symptoms might also have one or more of the following issues in addition to memory issues:
- Trouble performing/taking longer to perform familiar tasks
- Psychological and behavioral changes, such as tension, anxiety, and hostility
- Depressive Disorder
- Repeating questions
- Difficulty budgeting and paying expenses
- Difficulty finishing routine duties at work, home, or in leisure
- Having trouble picking up new information and recalling recent happenings
- Difficulties performing multi-step tasks, such as dressing or cooking
- Placing items in unusual locations
- Confusing events, times, and location
- Experiencing delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations
- Difficulty coping well with change
- Having irrational suspicions about relatives, friends, or family
- Poor decision-making or reasoning
- Difficulty speaking/ choosing the appropriate words
- Difficulty reading, writing, and numeracy
- Losing one’s way/wandering
- Being unable to fall asleep
- Difficulty walking
- Difficulty in eating
- Losing one’s way/wandering
- Being unable to fall asleep
How to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease?
Physical and neurological examinations, a complete medical history, and an evaluation of mental status are frequently used to diagnose disease. It might involve brain imaging (with an MRI or CT scan, for example), which could reveal additional reasons for issues. These tests are used to determine whether a patient has Alzheimer’s disease or other medical diseases that present with symptoms that are similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease. Here let’s discuss each of them briefly:
Steps for Diagnosing:
- Medical history. The doctor will examine the patient’s present and previous medical conditions, the drugs they are currently taking, and any history of Alzheimer’s disease or other memory impairments in the patient’s family. Additionally, he or she will perform a neurologic exam and assess all current vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, pulse rate, etc.
- Neuropsychological testing. Tests for focus, memory, linguistics, planning, reasoning, the ability to change behavior, as well as personality and emotional stability, are all included in this exam.
- Mental status testing. A mental status examination tells a person’s ability to think and ascertain whether any problems are improving or worsening. These assessments cover tests of language, problem-solving, concentration, counting, memory, and attention.
- Computed tomography (CT). This scan reveals physical changes in the structure of brain tissue seen in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, including widening of the indentations of the brain tissues, and expansion of the brain’s fluid-filled chambers.
- Magnetic resonance imaging. Brain atrophy may also be visible on this scan. It can also detect other structural defects, including strokes, tumors, fluid buildup on the brain, and other conditions that can show symptoms resembling those of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Positron emission tomography. This scan demonstrates the irregular brain activity in an Alzheimer’s patient. In contrast to other types of dementia, it can also aid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Blood and urine tests. Standard laboratory tests such as blood counts, vitamin levels, liver and kidney function, mineral balance, and thyroid gland function tests are done to screen out other potential causes of symptoms.
How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?
Although there is currently no treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, there are medications that can help temporarily reduce the severity of dementia symptoms. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has currently certified two medicine classes to treat Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors. All of the cholinesterase inhibitors have been authorized to treat the moderate to severe signs of (AD). Among the cholinesterase inhibitors are:
- Donepezil (Aricept)
- Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Exelon patch
- Galantamine (Razadyne)
- NMDA antagonist. It keeps nerve cells healthy by preventing the neurotransmitter glutamate from activating NMDA receptors. Compared to cholinesterase inhibitors, this medicine operates differently. Memantine-treated Alzheimer’s patients had improved performance in tests evaluating their routine daily activities. Patients with lower functioning may benefit the most.
- Managing behavior changes. Drugs can cause confusion and dizziness as side effects, which might increase the risk of falling.
Novus Beginning Psychiatry: Your Path to Health and Wellness Starts Here!
We understand that navigating the complexities of mental health can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Novus Beginning Psychiatry, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking therapy, medication, or a combination of both, our compassionate professionals are dedicated to helping you find the path to a happier, healthier life.
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We also recognize that medication is vital in managing certain psychological health conditions. Our team includes Dr. Nibras, who is a board-certified psychiatrist well-versed in medication management. He works closely with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, as we believe in the power of personalized care.
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Who is Dr. Nibras?
Dr. Sohail Nibras is a double board-certified psychiatrist in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. He completed his education at Saint Louis University and the American University of Integrative Science. He excels in treatments based on psychiatric care and therapeutic sessions and has experience treating dual psychiatric and substance use disorders. He is an assistant professor at the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He serves as an attending psychiatrist at Texas Children’s Hospital. He trains future psychiatrists and engages in scholarly research projects.
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