Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease Definition

Alzheimer's disease, which is named after Alois Alzheimer, is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs in people aged 65 and over. This disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting over 20 million people worldwide. Once Alzheimer's has been diagnosed, the life expectancy of patients is around 7 years. Only 3% of patients live for more than 10 years.

Alzheimer's disease Symptoms and Signs

Alzheimer's disease is divided into 4 stages with different symptoms for each stage. In the predementia stage, patients experience only mild cognitive difficulties. Other symptoms include short-term memory loss, semantic memory impairments and subtle executive problems. Depression and apathy may also occur. In the early stage, patients experience impairments in memory and learning. However, older memories are affected only slightly compared to learning new things and making new memories. In terms of language problems, shrinking vocabulary and decreased work frequency may occur. In the moderate dementia stage, patients slowly reduce the possibility of independence. Language difficulties become noticeable, and the ability to read and write are forgotten. Complex motor sequences are also affected, making patients lose their ability to perform daily activities. Long-term memory becomes impaired, while behavioral changes occur. Irritability, outbursts, crying, aggression and physical violence also occurs. 30% of Alzheimer's patients develop delusional symptoms. In the advanced stage of Alzheimer's, patients cannot perform the simplest tasks alone. Apathy, exhaustion and loss of verbal language also occur. Patients will also experience muscle deterioration and inability to feed oneself.