Alzheimer's is a complex disease that has become a reality for many people, especially seniors and caregivers who are affected either directly or indirectly. Aging increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. Symptoms may appear over years, making it difficult to recognize what is normal and what’s part of the disease process. Understanding the risks, signs, and potential preventative measures is increasingly important for families and seniors.
All about Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disease that gradually destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Experts believe plaques and tangles block communication between brain cells and disrupt processes that cells in the brain need to survive.
It is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. Dementia is the general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Alzheimer's disease is caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain, called neurons. This damage disrupts communication between neurons, leading to a decline in cognitive function. Alzheimer's affects the brain in several ways:
- Brain shrinkage: Parts of the brain shrink, especially areas responsible for memory.
- Reduced blood flow: Blood flow to the brain is reduced, affecting its ability to function optimally.
- Plaques and tangles: Waste products build up in the brain, forming plaques and tangles that disrupt neuronal communication.
The destruction and death of brain cells ultimately cause the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease to appear. While the exact cause isn't fully understood, scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. People who develop Alzheimer's are usually older, but it's not a normal part of aging.
Signs of Alzheimer's disease
Recognizing the warning signs of Alzheimer's is crucial for early diagnosis and intervention. According to the Alzheimer's Association, these key warning signs, along with changes in behavior, may signal the disease is developing.
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life: This includes forgetting important dates or events, asking the same questions repeatedly, and relying on memory aids or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
- Trouble performing daily tasks: Difficulty with familiar tasks like cooking a meal, driving to a familiar location, or managing finances.
- Confusion with time and place: Getting lost in familiar places or losing track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time.
- Decreased or poor judgment: Making poor decisions about finances, personal care, or safety.
- Challenges in planning or problem solving: Difficulty following a plan or working with numbers.
- Vision and spatial difficulties: Trouble understanding visual information and spatial relationships, which can lead to difficulty with driving or navigating.
- New problems with words: Difficulty finding the right words, struggling with vocabulary, or having trouble following conversations.
- Losing things and being unable to retrace steps: Putting things in unusual places and being unable to go back through their actions to find them.
- Withdrawal from social activities: Loss of interest in hobbies, social engagements, and other activities.
- Changes in mood and personality: Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.
When you should talk to your doctor and seek a diagnosis
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to talk with your Conviva primary care doctor about further testing or evaluation. Early diagnosis allows for prompt intervention and management of symptoms. There is no single test to definitively diagnose Alzheimer's disease. To figure out the cause of symptoms, a healthcare provider may:
- Ask questions about your health: This includes past medical problems, family history, and any changes in behavior or cognitive function.
- Assess your mental status: This involves evaluating memory, attention, language skills, and problem-solving abilities.
- Conduct standard medical tests: Blood tests and other tests can help rule out other conditions that may be causing similar symptoms.
- Order brain scans: CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans can help visualize the brain and find any structural or functional abnormalities.
Strategies to keep your brain healthy
While there's no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer's disease, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk and promote overall brain health.
Exercising
According to the National Institute on Aging, staying active has many health benefits, including:
- Maintaining mobility and independence
- Improving heart health
- Reducing falls
- Keeping the brain healthy by increasing blood supply
Monitor chronic conditions
Most seniors live with a chronic condition or disease, even if it's minor aches and pains due to arthritis. The National Institute on Aging says that conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Work with your Conviva primary care doctor and care team to create a treatment plan and reasonable goals to manage your chronic condition.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
The National Institute on Aging reports that people eating a Mediterranean diet [KM1] may have a lower risk of developing cognitive impairment. This diet includes:
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Legumes
- Whole grains
- Fish and poultry
- Olive oil
Keep your brain active
Staying socially active may help support brain health and possibly delay the onset of dementia. It may also reduce your risk for depression. Here's what seniors and their loved ones need to know about how to live fully and keep the brain as stimulated and active as possible:
- Engage in social activity: Volunteering, joining a club, taking a group fitness class, or connecting with friends are all ways to stay social.
- Try a new hobby: Learn a new language, plant a garden, make a quilt, or challenge your brain to do things differently, like driving to the grocery store a different way.
- Do mentally stimulating activities: Reading books, attending classes, and playing brain games can all stimulate your brain.
Positive, self-directed practices
Alzheimer's is no different from other health conditions that may alter daily living or change your quality of life over time. In fact, finding ways to motivate yourself and stay optimistic is important for everyone as the disease progresses. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Self-reflection: Take time to reflect on your internal values, thoughts, and feelings and how they change.
- Reflect on your current health: Think about your overall well-being (mental, physical, and social). Are there opportunities for improving your overall health?
- Create a health goal that is SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound): Being specific can help you track and see success over time.
What's on the horizon for Alzheimer's?
Researchers are continuously learning more about Alzheimer's disease. The latest research findings continue to give hope and bring more light into a disease that’s consistently mysterious and frustrating.
- A new medication was approved by the FDA in 2023 for people with mild Alzheimer's disease. This medication helps to clear plaque formation in the brain.2
- A new medication was found to help reduce brain inflammation caused by Alzheimer's and contributes to cognitive symptoms.3
- Current research focuses on the strong link between heart disease and Alzheimer's (high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high cholesterol).4
- Studies show that lifestyle changes, like physical activity, heart healthy options, and socializing, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.5
- Current research is underway to develop a blood test to diagnose Alzheimer's rather than costly scans for diagnosis.6
Alzheimer’s is complex and affects many lives in addition to the person suffering from the disease. Understanding Alzheimer’s takes time and ongoing education as each day brings a new symptom or perspective. Recognizing the symptoms, talking with your Conviva primary care team, and knowing treatment options are all a good start to gaining more insight.
Disclaimers:
Content contained on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new fitness or dietary plan. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement of any website or other sources. For any health-related questions, contact your healthcare provider.
Sources:
- Plascencia[KM2] -Villa G, et al. “Lessons from antiamyloid-beta immunotherapies in Alzheimer's disease,” Handbook of Clinical Neurology, last accessed on May 1, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368579392_Lessons_from_antiamyloid-b_immunotherapies_in_Alzheimer's_disease
- Potter H, et al,“Safety and efficacy of sargramostim (GM-CSF) in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease”, National Library of Medicine, last accessed on May 1, 2025, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33778150/
- "Alzheimer's treatments: What's on the horizon?” Mayo Clinic, last accessed Nov. 13th, 2023, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-treatments/art-20047780
- "Research and Progress, Can Alzheimer's Disease be Prevented," Alzheimer's Association, last accessed May 1, 2025, https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/research\_progress/prevention
- "A blood test for Alzheimer's? It may be coming,” Fisher Center for Azlheimer's Research, last accessed May 1, 2025, https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/research/a-blood-test-for-alzheimers-it-may-be-coming/
- “Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” National Institute on Aging, last accessed on May 1, 2025, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia
- “Alzheimer's disease facts and figures,” Alzheimer's Association, last accessed on May 1, 2025, https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf.
