Alzheimer's disease is a disease of unknown origin that affects the brain and causes a progressive disappearance of neurons. It is a condition called "neuro-degenerative". This disease causes memory and language problems and loss of autonomy . Alzheimer's disease most often affects the elderly, but it is not the consequence of aging. How to diagnose Alzheimer's disease? What are the symptoms ? Are there treatments
Alzheimer's disease is caused by the disappearance of neurons in the brain and the development of lesions in the central nervous system. Invisible at the start of the disease, these lesions gradually cause dysfunctions in the brain. In its first phase, Alzheimer's disease acts in a part of the brain called the hippocampus and damages the areas that make the link between short and long-term memory. Then, the disease develops in the brain, particularly in another part, the cortex, which manages gestures, language and recognition.
“While the researchers have shed light on the mechanisms of production of the lesions, they have not yet identified the causes of their appearance. The exact origin of the disease therefore remains unknown”, as indicated by the France Alzheimer association. . However, certain genetic and environmental factors seem to favor the onset of Alzheimer's disease. These risk factors are related to age (more elderly people affected), sex (women over 80 are more likely to suffer from this disease), diseases that affect blood vessels, diabetes, to high blood pressure or tobacco. Family history is also mentioned as a risk factor even if it concerns only 1% of patients.
According to current research on Alzheimer's disease, we will still have to wait between five and ten years to hope to be able to succeed in defining individualized prevention of the disease according to the risks of each individual.
While some may not be linked to Alzheimer's disease, signs should nevertheless alert:difficulties in performing daily tasks, problems with language, orientation and reasoning, repeated loss of objects, change in behavior, loss motivation and personality change.
People affected by Alzheimer's disease do not all experience the same symptoms and the progression of the disease can be very different from one individual to another. Nevertheless, this disease progresses through several stages and generates emotional and behavioral disorders. Alzheimer's patients initially suffer from memory-related problems, which, most of the time, alert to the possible presence of the disease. Then, as Alzheimer's disease progresses in the brain, people show signs of progressive disappearance of the ability to be able to orient themselves in space and to situate themselves in time. Gradually, the patients no longer recognize objects, people, they find it difficult to express themselves, to reason and to think, to no longer be able to remember events and information from the past at a more advanced stage. of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease also has visible consequences on mood and behavior. The patient may suffer from anxiety about subjects that did not preoccupy him before, from a loss of interest and motivation. He may also have sudden outbursts of anger or, on the contrary, be euphoric without valid reasons, become aggressive, agitated, insomniac and show radical changes in eating habits or no longer eat properly.
There are still no treatments that cure Alzheimer's disease, but a diagnosis made as early as possible makes it possible to set up medical, social or financial aid to provide the best possible relief to the patients and their families. This diagnosis is made up of a neuropsychological assessment in the form of memory, language and comprehension tests. It is completed by an MRI and a scanner to know the evolution of the lesions in the brain and a general medical check-up to make sure that the symptoms are not due to another disease.
The medical treatments currently offered to patients are intended to try to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. These drugs act to slow the destruction of neurons in the brain and allow some improvement, particularly in terms of attention and autonomy. At the same time, non-drug treatments are also favored in the management of Alzheimer's disease. These are workshops led by trained staff (speech therapists, art therapists, etc.), adapted to the needs of the sick person. Thus workshops in painting, music, writing, memory work, alternative medicine, etc., are offered to people with Alzheimer's disease. Finally, psychological support is offered to the patient and his entourage for those who wish it.
