Alzheimer's disease usually doesn't reveal any symptoms until the condition is quite severe. Patients may feel frustrated and get moody for no reason. Some even attack others or throw tantrums out of the blue. It is not yet been known what causes Alzheimer's, or what triggers the bad temper. It could be the disease itself or environmental factors. Patients become annoyed without warning, so caregivers need to notice whether there is anything in particular that causes the outbursts.
Other possible factors include sleeplessness and side effects of some medication. Also, the surrounding environment can be an important factor. A noisy and chaotic place can make patients feel unsettled. People who surround and annoy sufferers with questions or say complicated things can also affect their mood.
Most importantly, Alzheimer's patients should stay in comfortable and peaceful places. Asking difficult questions or giving complicated orders should be avoided. Caregivers should talk nicely and not argue with sufferers because they view things differently. People with Alzheimer's prefer to talk about their life in the distant past rather than things that have recently happened.
If forgetfulness affects their daily life and regular routines such as brushing teeth, little notes can be a great help. Notes should be stuck onto places where they can easily be seen as a reminder of what to do during different periods of the day and night.
Caring for Alzheimer's patients is a tiring job that requires much attention and caution. Caregivers may feel so stressed and depressed that there are occasions when they assault their patient out of frustration.
If you are taking care of an Alzheimer's patient, always ask yourself whether you are feeling stressed, depressed, tired, sleepless and easily frustrated or annoyed. It is necessary for you to take care of yourself before you can take good care of others.
It is still not known whether Alzheimer's is genetic. It is possible that certain genes increase the chance of developing Alzheimer's, but it has not yet been confirmed. However, it is believed that the symptoms of Down's syndrome, which are caused by chromosome abnormality, are somewhat similar to Alzheimer's.
We all start to be forgetful when we get older. Yet, if the forgetfulness becomes worrying, it could be a sign of Alzheimer's. Those who cannot remember the way to get back home or repeatedly ask the same questions may have Alzheimer's. Nevertheless, it is hard to determine whether it is just normal forgetfulness relating to old age or a starting symptom of Alzheimer's.
So, here are a few signs to check on:
Being unable to remember the things that have recently happened, even after being reminded of them.
Telling the same stories or asking the same questions repeatedly.
Not being able to even think of simple or easy words, and sometimes saying strange or unusual sentences that are hard for other people to understand.
Unstable mood, paranoia with family members or too trusting with strangers.
Lack of concentration. Getting lost in familiar places. Not remembering how to do simple tasks such as making food or shaving.
Poor personal hygiene, not taking a bath or changing clothes.
Odd behaviour such as placing or hiding things where they don't belong, like putting a toothbrush in the fridge.
If you happen to notice these symptoms, it perhaps doesn't mean that the person has Alzheimer's. Nonetheless, it is better to consult a doctor to make sure. Take the patient to see a familiar doctor or a specialist. There are many times when an Alzheimer's patient needs to meet with several doctors.
Currently, there is no 100% effective way to test for Alzheimer's. The doctor may require some specific tests for a patient, such as a physical check-up, blood test, brain scan and asking questions. The patient may be asked to perform simple tasks like self-balancing, hand-foot co-ordination or reflex responses. A CT scan or MRI might be requested to ensure that the symptoms are really due to Alzheimer's, and not caused by a brain tumour.
The patient may not be able to give much information to the doctor. It is helpful if the caregiver can prepare basic information about the patient to give to the doctor. For instance, write down all of the patient's irregular behaviour in terms of when and how often they occur, as well as daily medication, food diary, major changes like being retired, losing a loved one, or moving to a new place. Diagnosis may be hard because the "symptoms" could just be age-related forgetfulness. Alzheimer's takes a while to diagnose and co-operation is very important. Therefore, it is crucial to meet with a doctor whom you feel comfortable to talk with. The patient may not wish to see the doctor. Sometimes, family members do not want to hurt the patient's feelings and decide not to consult with the doctor. Some of them think the symptoms are just normal for older people and cannot be treated. Yet, leaving the problems untreated for too long can make things worse.
As soon as you notice symptoms, remember that they can be caused by many factors, such as vitamin deficiency, thyroid problems, depression, or even alcoholism, all of which can be effectively treated and cured. Ignoring signs is not a good decision and can deny treatment to the patient.
The earlier Alzheimer's is detected, the better it can be treated. Even if it can't be completely cured, the symptoms will diminish after receiving treatment.
Despite the still-debated root causes of Alzheimer's, aluminium is said to be a main cause, but this is far from certain. This is because aluminium is a natural substance found in our food, even in small amounts.
More research is required. One thing is for sure — good food, regular exercise and a happy mindset are the best medications for your health, as ever.
Dr Nithi Mahanonda is a consultant cardiologist and interventionist at Perfect Heart Institute, Piyavate Hospital. Visit his website at www.drnithi.com
