The recognizable physical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

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Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, characterized by the accumulation of two proteins in the brain: plexus (tau) and plaque (amyloid-beta). Ultimately, Alzheimer's disease kills brain cells and takes the patient's life. The reality is that most people know how Alzheimer's disease affects memory. But the symptoms of the disease can be both physical as well as mental.

1. Brain-Body Connections in Alzheimer's Disease

Although the cause of Alzheimer's is not known, doctors think its symptoms are caused by a buildup of harmful proteins in your brain called amyloid and tau. These proteins form large clumps, called plexuses and plaques. They interfere with the normal functioning of the brain and kill healthy cells.
Damage usually starts in the area of ​​the brain where your memories form. People with early-stage Alzheimer's often find it difficult to remember things. As the disease gets worse, plaques and clusters also appear in the parts of the brain responsible for body behavior. Daily activities such as walking, eating, going to the bathroom, and talking become more difficult.
The effect of the disease will be different for each person as the disease gets worse. The progression of the disease can be slow, with some people living up to 20 years after being diagnosed with the disease. While the average life expectancy after being diagnosed with this disease is usually only 4 to 8 years longer.

2. Physical changes in Alzheimer's patients

What symptoms you have and when they appear is different for each person. Some people have physical problems before their memory loss becomes severe.
In one study, people who walked slowly and had poor balance were more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease 6 years later.
Some of the changes you may experience are:
Loss of balance or coordination. Muscle stiffness Feet shuffle or pull when you walk Difficulty standing or sitting in a chair Weak and tired muscles When and how much you sleep Difficulty controlling bladder or bowel Uncontrollable seizures

3. Challenges of Caring for Alzheimer's Patients

Over time, most people with Alzheimer's disease lose the ability to take care of themselves. You may need help with even basic things like brushing your teeth, washing your hair, and changing clothes.
It's hard to have a meaningful conversation. Caregivers are encouraged to limit communication to simple topics and to ask questions with definitive answers. In the later stages, you may lose the ability to speak.
You may have difficulty chewing and swallowing food. This increases your risk of choking or inhaling food. Your meals and snacks will need to be cut into small portions or pureed. If you don't eat well, you can become malnourished or dehydrated. Your diet can be adjusted to make it safe and nutritious to eat. Taking vitamin and protein supplements can help you get nutrients.
At some point, you may need to move to an inpatient care facility for care. Talk to your doctor and family about the best location for your needs.

4. Risk of death in Alzheimer's patients

As your body declines, it increases your risk of other health problems, like:
Infections can develop when your immune system starts to fail. Pneumonia can develop, especially if you accidentally inhale food or drink. There is a high chance of injury from a fall. Most people with Alzheimer's will die from pneumonia, another infection, or a heart attack.
It's best to have an early chat about how you want to be taken care of. These conversations can be difficult, but having a plan can make it easier for you and your family to cope with this illness.

5. Prevention of Alzheimer's disease

5.1. Improve your lifestyle to prevent Alzheimer's Healthy habits can help prevent Alzheimer's. Consider these steps to help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Exercise: The most convincing evidence is that exercise helps prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease or slows progression in people with symptoms. The recommendation is 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, three to four days per week. Eat the Mediterranean Diet: This has been shown to help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. A recent study found that even partial adherence to such a diet is better than nothing, which is concerning for people who may find it difficult to fully adhere to a diet. new. The diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits; cereals; olive oil; nuts; pea's tree; fish; moderate amounts of poultry, eggs and milk; a moderate amount of red wine; and very little red meat.

Get enough sleep: There is growing evidence that improved sleep may help prevent Alzheimer's disease and is linked to greater clearance of amyloid from the brain. The goal is to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. 5.2. Several factors may help prevent Alzheimer's disease Scientists have some evidence, but not enough, to show that the following lifestyle choices help prevent Alzheimer's.
Learn new things: Scientists suggest that cognitively stimulating activities may be helpful in preventing Alzheimer's disease, but evidence for their benefits is often limited to improvement in those areas. what has been learned, such as a test of thinking skills, does not generalize to an overall improvement in thinking and functioning skills. Social connection: Scientists suggest that more social contact will help prevent Alzheimer's disease, but so far there is only information from observational studies. Moderate drinking: There is conflicting evidence about the benefits of moderate drinking (one drink a day for women, one or two drinks for men) and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. Although scientists don't have enough evidence that all healthy lifestyle choices prevent Alzheimer's disease, they may prevent other chronic problems. For example, limiting alcohol intake can help reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as breast cancer. Best advice: make as many healthy lifestyle choices as you can. All of these lifestyles are beneficial, and if they help you avoid Alzheimer's, all the better.

Most people know that Alzheimer's disease affects memory. But the symptoms of the disease can be both physical as well as mental. This disease can change the way you walk, talk, and the way your body works. It is important to be aware of what can happen as the disease progresses. This will help you stay ahead of the changes you and your loved ones may face.

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Reference sources: webmd.com, health.harvard.edu