Hi, this is Teri. I am a third-generation Alzheimer's Survivor and co-caregiver of a parent with Alzheimer's Disease. This week, I want to take a step back and define Alzheimer's Disease.
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
NIH
According to the National Institute on Health:
"Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer's, symptoms first appear later in life. Estimates vary, but experts suggest that more than 6 million Americans, most of them age 65 or older, may have Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's is currently ranked as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.
Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person's daily life and activities. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for help with basic activities of daily living."
Alzheimers.gov
Alzheimers.gov defines Alzheimer's as: "Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. People with Alzheimer's also experience changes in behavior and personality.
More than 6 million Americans, many of them age 65 and older, are estimated to have Alzheimer's disease. That's more individuals living with Alzheimer's disease than the population of a large American city. Many more people experience Alzheimer's in their lives as family members and friends of those with the disease.
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease — changes in thinking, remembering, reasoning, and behavior — are known as dementia. That's why Alzheimer's is sometimes referred to as "dementia." Other diseases and conditions can also cause dementia, with Alzheimer's being the most common cause of dementia in older adults.
Alzheimer's disease and memory loss is not a normal part of aging. It's the result of complex changes in the brain that start years before symptoms appear and lead to the loss of brain cells and their connections."
Alzheimer's Association
"Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases.
Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. Alzheimer's disease is considered to be younger-onset Alzheimer's if it affects a person under 65. Younger-onset can also be referred to as early-onset Alzheimer's. People with younger-onset Alzheimer's can be in the early, middle or late stage of the disease.
Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives 4 to 8 years after diagnosis but can live as long as 20 years, depending on other factors."
Dr. Dale Bredesen
"According to Dr. Dale Bredesen from Apollo Health states: "We found is there are 4 major groups of inducers of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's, at its heart, is an insufficiency. Just as a deficiency of vitamin C causes scurvy, Alzheimer's is an insufficiency, a complex insufficiency. There is a plasticity network within your brain, and it requires certain things to function normally. This is an interesting network, and it requires certain things in your brain. And then as you get these degenerative conditions what happens is that there is a chronic mismatch and you have an insufficiency in 4 different areas, any of which can contribute to the decline."
Danial Amen @ The Amen Clinics:
"The truth is, Alzheimer's is a lifestyle disease—similar to heart disease or type 2 diabetes—and your everyday habits contribute greatly to your level of risk. New research confirms this."
With more research becoming available every day, our definition of Alzheimer's Disease can fluctuate. However, here are the constant factors:
Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that develops and worsens over time. It is characterized by changes in the brain that lead to deposits of specific proteins. Alzheimer's disease causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. It is the most common cause of dementia, a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior, and social skills that affect a person's ability to function.
Common Misconceptions:
Most people think that people can only develop Alzheimer's Disease if they have the gene for it. The truth is that you do not have to have an APOE gene to develop Alzheimer's Disease.
Most people think that if you have one of the genes for Alzheimer's Disease, you will develop Alzheimer's Disease. The truth is: many people who have multiple genes for Alzheimer's Disease never show signs of memory loss.
Most people think there are no treatment solutions available for people with Alzheimer's Disease. The truth is: There are multiple treatment solutions available at every stage of Alzheimer's Disease.
Most people think that Alzheimer's Disease is not preventable. The truth is: Alzheimer's Disease is preventable.
Most people think that Alzheimer's Disease is not reversable: The truth is: People with Alzheimer's Disease can reverse the effects of memory loss.
Most people think all commercial medication is safe and could not induce memory loss. The truth is: there are prescribed and OTC medications that cause memory loss.
Most people think that nutritional supplements are not effective solutions to treat Alzheimer's Disease. The truth is: Many supplements will significantly benefit your cognitive health.
The few people who know that there are treatments for Alzheimer's Disease think that the treatments are much too expensive; they will never be able to afford them. The truth is: The manufacturers of Leqembi have programs that will provide the medication at a significant discount or at no charge.
More than 6.5 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Just as many are living with undiagnosed Alzheimer's Disease.
It is a common misconception that only people 65 and older get Alzheimer's Disease. That was true for many years. However, we have seen those demographics change in the last ten years. Today, the most common person being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease is a 52-year-old female.
While there are treatments available for Alzheimer's Disease, there is still no cure.