It is so easy to keep in mind certain things. Isn’t it? The way to your house, where your car keys are kept, the faces of the people around you, and many such tiny details! Ever wondered what if you couldn’t remember this stuff suddenly, what would you do? If you are still trying to process what we are talking about, here’s some hint for you! Heard about Chris Hemsworth, our very own ‘Thor’ taking a break because he is at a high risk of a disease? Yes, it is Alzheimer’s!
The actor recently revealed that he is at an increased risk of the disease because of his genetic makeup. He carries two copies of the gene APOE4, which has been linked to the risk of Alzheimer’s in new studies! However, he also said that it is not an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, so the fans need not worry! But, aren’t you curious? So, continue reading to learn about this disorder and why is it scary!
Relation of Alzheimer’s to the Brain
Alzheimer’s disease, to state it simply is a disorder that causes the brain cells to shrink and later die. This neurologic disorder is one of the most common causes of dementia- a gradual decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills. It affects a person’s ability to function independently rendering them helpless.
As the disease progresses, a person suffering from the disorder will develop certain serious memory impairments and lose the ability to do their everyday tasks- sometimes even forgetting their own face! Medications often slow down the symptoms but they aren’t helpful in altering the disease process in the brain. To put it simply, the treatment may help the people suffering maximize function and maintain independence for some time.
Early Foreshadows
With memory loss being the primary symptom, the earliest sign of the disease is forgetting recent events or conversations. With the disease progressing, memory loss becomes more prominent and the other symptoms also start developing! The brain of an Alzheimer’s Patient undergoes many changes. As a result, they start having trouble with their memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities, making judgments, performing familiar tasks, and even forgetting their basic skills.
Brain After Alzheimer’s Disorder
Occasional memory lapses are common among people, however, what we should not do, is, think of them as being symptoms of Alzheimer’s! People with Alzheimer’s disease have persistent memory loss. They tend to repeat statements.
They also-
- Forget conversations or events, the names of their family members.
- May misplace possessions, keeping them in different places.
- Get lost in familiar places, and find it difficult to express themselves.
- Difficulty in reasoning and assessing concepts like numbers.
- Find it hard to decide what to wear- even sidelining the weather.
- Unable to follow recipes or cook meals, and play games.
At a certain point, a patient may also start forgetting everyday tasks like bathing and clothing. With this, changes in personality and behavior may also be observed!
Other companion disorders
Many other disorders may also accompany Alzheimer’s. They include-
- Depression
- Social Withdrawal
- Distrust in others
- Irritability and Aggressiveness
- Wandering
- Change in sleeping habits
- Delusions- at times even thinking something has been stolen
What Remains When Nothing Does
When most of the basic skills are even being lost and forgotten, is there something that could be remembered?
Yes, there is! Some skills are preserved for a long time even with worsening symptoms. These skills include reading books, dancing, drawing, listening to music, etc. The reason for this is that the parts of the brain associated with these skills are affected much later during the course of the disease.
What Can You Do?
Though it might sound scary, which it is- you should not lose your calm. There are a number of reasons and conditions that could lead to memory loss or dementia or any other symptoms. Many of these conditions are treatable. So, if there is something worrying you, consulting a Dr. might be very advisable!
Interpreting any symptom of Alzheimer’s without proper assessment is totally wrong and must be avoided. And for any of your friends or relatives who you think may forget to take their pills on time- don’t forget to make their Zyephr account and set their alarms! So, download the app right away to keep tracking and monitoring your overall health!
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