Understanding Alzheimer's Disease

CEBU, Philippines - Everyone perhaps is aware of the inevitable that lies ahead in life - old age. Some see it as a great tragedy of life, while others who have grown wisdom with age embrace it graciously. Successful or gracious aging, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), includes the "process of optimizing opportunities… for the physical, social, and mental wellbeing throughout the life course." This includes preparing oneself and family members for possible serious health challenges that may come along with aging.

Among the common age-related health issues that confront today's seniors are arthritis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, pneumonia, and dementia, the most common form of which is the Alzheimer's disease (AD) that accounts for 50 to 75 percent of the total cases, the WHO says.

The Alzheimer's Association defines AD as "an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks." At times, it is described as a grave loss of cognitive ability, ending inevitably in death.

This disease is named after Alois Alzheimer, a German physician who first identified the condition in 1906. Though AD is frequently considered as a natural upshot of aging, research reveals that it is due to an abnormal deposit of a type of protein called beta amyloid in between brain cells which form plaques that disrupt the connection and proper functioning of these cells.

Although the root of the disease has not yet been fully uncovered, experts believe that it is caused by a combination of a person's genetic makeup, lifestyle and other environmental factors affecting the brain over time. But despite the lack of substantial information, it is certain that the disease gradually damages and kills brain cells resulting to "gradual memory loss, decline in the ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of language skills, impairment of judgment, and personality changes," says the Alzheimer's Association.

In 2008, WHO declared the Alzheimer's disease to be a priority condition. Studies reveal that as the disease progresses, AD patients are unable manage themselves due to the failure of one's bodily systems that is caused by the loss of brain cells. It is unfortunate that such disease is prevalent among seniors just over 65 years of age.

As the Philippines' answer to this pressing health condition, a bill was introduced in September 2013 by Camarines Sur and Pampanga representatives Diosdado Arroyo and Gloria Arroyo, respectively, for the creation of Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and for the conduct of research, health care coordination and treatment of patients afflicted with AD.

The bill's explanatory note reads: "In South East Asia, there is an estimated 51.2 million elderly people, 5 percent of which are suspected of having dementia. This number is expected to increase by more than double (134-146 percent) over the next 20 years. It has also been predicted that this disease will affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050."

Currently still pending with the Congressional Committee on Health, the bill aims for the government and the public to be fully aware of the disease, to devise ways to significantly reduce its occurrence and to educate the public on ways to properly care for the loved ones suffering from AD.

But the concerned public need not wait for the eventual passing of the bill into a law before taking a positive action. It could start by educating oneself on the warning signs of AD. The website www.alz.org lists some of the common symptoms: 

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life. A most common sign of AD is memory loss - forgetting recently learned information, important dates, names, and appointments, asking for the same information over and over again, and the increased need to rely on reminder notes or family members for things they used to swing by themselves.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Experiencing changes in the ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers could mean Alzheimer's. Some people may have trouble following a familiar recipe, keeping track of the monthly bills, have difficulty concentrating, and taking much longer time to do things than they easily did before.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure. People with AD often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, they have trouble driving to a familiar location or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

4. Confusion with time or place. People with AD usually lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which may cause serious problems with driving.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing. People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right words or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. A person with AD may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This behavior may occur more frequently over time.

8. Decreased or poor judgment. People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or may make bad decisions once in a while. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities. A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to do a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being with other people, because of the changes they have experienced. Sometimes, they may feel weary about work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality. The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

While experts say that one symptom does not necessarily indicate Alzheimer's disease, it is best not to ignore them. When any of the signs occur in oneself or a relative, an appointment with the doctor shall be sought, for an earlier diagnosis or for one's peace of mind. (FREEMAN)