Remembering November as Alzheimer’s awareness month

Isn’t it ironic that it was President Ronald Reagan who officially declared November as National Alzheimer’s awareness month back in 1983?  Little did he know that just 11 years later in 1994, he would announce to the nation that he himself had joined the growing numbers of individuals being diagnosed with this devastating disease.  At that time in 1983, only 2 million Americans suffered from Alzheimer’s.  Today, this number as swelled to more than 5 million Americans and this number is expected to expand to possibly 16 million by 2050.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex neurological disorder that is the most common form of dementia among older adults.  It is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that will slowly destroy memory and thinking skills eventually robbing an individual of the ability to perform simple tasks.  Symptoms of the disease can first appear in individuals in their mid-60s but there is a form of early-onset Alzheimer’s which is very rare, that can occur at even earlier ages. 

How Alzheimer’s changes the brain

It was in 1906, when Dr. Alois Alzheimer first noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. She had symptoms that included memory loss, language issues, and unpredictable behavior.  Upon her death, her brain was examined by Dr. Alzheimer in which he found numerous abnormal clumps – amyloid plaque – along with tangled bundles of fiber or tau.  The main features of Alzheimer’s to this day are these same plaque and tau tangles along with a loss of connections between nerve cells or neurons in the brain. 

In healthy people, all thoughts and feelings are results of signals passing through the billions of neurons in the brain.  Neurons constantly communicate with each other through electrical charges that travel down axons.  Other cells in the brain clear away any debris helping to keep neurons healthy. 

In Alzheimer’s however, toxic changes in the brain destroy this healthy balance.  These changes may occur years or even decades before the first sign of dementia appears.   Researchers believe this process involves two proteins called beta-amyloid and tau which somehow become toxic to the brain. It appears that abnormal tau accumulates eventually forming tangles inside neurons.  Beta-amyloid clumps into plaques which slowly build up between neurons.  Besides beta-amyloid and tau, there could be many other possible factors involved in the development of Alzheimer’s.  This could include vascular changes, insufficient glucose to power the brain, and chronic inflammation that may play a role. 

2017 Alzheimer’s facts and figures

For anyone who has personally experienced Alzheimer’s firsthand by way of a loved one who has been diagnosed with this disease, they know very well, the toll it takes on everyone involved in the care of these individuals.  Even if you have been sparred of having to face this disease head on, it is still important to be aware of what just how invasive and overwhelming this disorder can be on the millions of families who struggle to care for their loved ones. 

To put in perspective the far-reaching tentacles Alzheimer’s has on our society, here are the 2017 facts and figures from the Alzheimer’s Association:

·      Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.

·      In 2017, Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the nation $259 billion

·      Every 66 seconds someone in the U.S. develops this disease

·      35% of caregivers for people with Alzheimer’s or another dementia report that their health has gotten worse due to care responsibilities compared to 19% of caregivers for older people without dementia

·      More than 15 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementia

·      1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia

·      It kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined

·      Since 2000, deaths from heart disease have decreased by 14% while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased by 89%

At this time, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease but there are dedicated researchers who are working on finding a definitive cause and eventual cure.  As far as preventing Alzheimer’s, studies have shown there are certain lifestyle behaviors such as making healthy food choices and getting in regular exercise that may help one avoid developing this disorder. 

Recognizing the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are important to recognize.  Anyone who is displaying any of these signs should be evaluated right away by their doctor to get them the help and treatment they need as soon as possible. 

To find out more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit alz.org or dementiatoday.com for up-to-date information on this condition.