Alzheimer's disease is one type of dementia. Dementia affects people's memory, personality and ability to think clearly. In dementia, the brain functions start to fail slowly. Alzheimer's is more common in older people but it is not a normal part of the ageing process.
About 50 per cent of people with symptoms of dementia will have
Alzheimer's. The illness is uncommon under the age of 60 but affects up to
one in five people over the age of 80.
In the UK, about 300,000 people are affected and the numbers are steadily
increasing as people live longer. Alzheimer's can run in the family, but
the risk of inheriting the disease is thought to be low.
The cause of Alzheimer's is not fully understood. Researchers believe that problems in the way messages are passed in the brain are responsible for some of the symptoms.
People with Alzheimer's suffer a gradual loss of memory and ability to
think clearly. As time passes, some people have a change in personality,
eg a previously calm person may become more easily agitated or upset.
Their speech may become less clear or the sufferer may find it difficult
to express themselves clearly.
Gradually it may become increasingly difficult for the person to do jobs
in their home or at work or to take part in social activities. In the more
advanced stages of Alzheimer's the person may be unaware of their
surroundings and unable to recognise the people close to them.
Alzheimer's gets worse over time but many people remain independent for
several years before symptoms become severe.
The doctor may ask some simple questions to test for any memory problems. It will be important to rule out conditions that can be confused with Alzheimer's, such as other causes of dementia, some types of depression, thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiencies and infections. Sometimes hospital tests may be needed, such as a brain scan, but in many cases the diagnosis can be made in the doctor's clinic.
People with Alzheimer's and their carers need a wide range of support to
help them cope. In the early stages, people with the disease may benefit
from learning simple techniques to help a failing memory, egwriting down
lists of tasks and reminders about looking after themselves.
As Alzheimer's progresses, people will need more support and help. This
may involve help with everyday activities such as washing, dressing and
eating. Eventually, full-time care may be needed for people with the most
severe symptoms.
There are some new medicines which may help to delay the progression of
the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
| Alzheimer's
Disease Society Gordon House 10 Greencoat Place London SW1P 1PH Tel: 0171 306 0606 Helpline: 0845 300 0336 Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia 22 Drumsheugh Gardens Edinburgh EH3 7RN Freephone: 0800 317817 (24-hour helpline) Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Page |
For people under 65 with dementia: CANDID (Counselling and Diagnosis in Dementia)The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery Queen Square London WC1N 3BG Tel: 0171 829 8772 |
This factsheet supported by Novartis