Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. This disease causes problems with the brain's ability to remember, think, and act appropriately. Symptoms of Alzheimer's include confusion, difficulty doing mundane tasks, communication problems, difficulty concentrating.
The disease develops over a long period of time. Alzheimer's symptoms worsen with age and eventually the person cannot do their daily work. Although the disease is usually seen in people over the age of 65, there are also those who develop the disease at an earlier age. Some may live with the disease for as long as 20 years, while the average life expectancy is eight.
This disease is thought to be a modern age disease and is estimated to affect 2050 million people by 16.
Alzheimer's symptoms
What Causes Alzheimer's?
Studies on the causes of Alzheimer's, a degenerative brain disorder, continue and new things are learned every day. Currently, only the underlying causes of the neuronal damage that characterize the disease can be identified. There is no comprehensive information on what actually causes it. The known causes of Alzheimer's disease can be listed as follows;
beta-amyloid plaque
High concentrations of beta-amyloid proteins are seen in the brain of most Alzheimer's patients. These proteins turn into plaques in neuronal pathways, impairing brain function.
Tau protein nodes
Just as beta-amyloid proteins in the brains of Alzheimer's patients aggregate into plaque, tau proteins form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that affect brain functioning. When tau develops into hair-like bundles called NFTs, it blocks the transport system and inhibits cell growth. Then the synaptic signals fail. Tau protein tangles are the second hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and are therefore an important area of focus for researchers studying this disorder.
Glutamate and acetylcholine
The brain uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to send signals between neurons. When glutamate is overactive, it puts stress on the neurons responsible for memory and cognition. Toxic stress levels mean that neurons cannot function properly or become impaired.Acetylcholineis another neurotransmitter in the brain that aids learning and memory. When the activity of acetylcholine receptors decreases, neuronal sensitivity decreases. This means that the neurons are too weak to receive incoming signals.
Inflammation
It is beneficial when inflammation is part of the body's natural healing process. But when conditions begin to create chronic inflammation, serious problems can arise. A healthy brain uses microglia to protect against pathogens. When someone has Alzheimer's, the brain perceives tau nodes and beta-amyloid proteins as pathogens, triggering a chronic neuro-inflammatory reaction that is responsible for Alzheimer's progression.
Inflammation is a contributing factor to Alzheimer's disease. Any disease that causes inflammation can contribute to the development of dementia or Alzheimer's in the elderly. These Alzheimer's-associated infections include human herpesviruses 1 and 2 (HHV-1/2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), picornavirus, Borna's disease virus, chlamydia pneumoniae,Helicobacter pylori, Borrelia spirochetes (Lyme disease), porphyromonas gingivalis, and Treponema.
Alzheimer's Symptoms
Alzheimer's disease is degenerative, meaning it gets worse over time. It occurs when the connections between brain cells called neurons and other brain cells are damaged.
The most common symptoms are memory loss and mental confusion. While there is mild memory loss in the early stage, severe symptoms such as the inability to speak or react to others occur in the later stages of the disease. Other symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are:
As the disease progresses, people have problems with problem-solving skills, keeping track of finances, and making important decisions. As symptoms worsen, Alzheimer's patients may not recognize their family, have difficulty swallowing, become paranoid and need constant care.
Alzheimer's Disease Risk Factors
The medical community generally believes that Alzheimer's disease is caused by a combination of genetics and other risk factors rather than a single cause. Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include:
Family history
People with a first-degree relative with Alzheimer's have an increased risk of this disease.
Age
The risk of developing Alzheimer's doubles every five years after turning 65.
To smoke
Smoking contributes to the development of dementia, including Alzheimer's, as it increases inflammation and reduces blood flow in the vein.
Heart diseases
in brain function, heart health plays a big role. Any condition that damages the circulatory system increases the risk of Alzheimer's, including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, cholesterol, and valve problems.
traumatic brain injury
Damage to the brain due to injury causes impaired brain function and death of brain cells, and is a high risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Unhealthy lifestyle and poor diet
Researchers call Alzheimer's a modern disease because the prevalence of the disease has increased with the prevalence of unhealthy diets in modern cultures.
Sleep problems
Those with long-term sleep problems have increased accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in their brains.
Eighty percent of Alzheimer's patientsinsulin resistance or atype 2 diabetes has. Long-term insulin resistance can lead to Alzheimer's disease.
Stress
Prolonged or deep stress is a risk factor for Alzheimer's.
Aluminum
Aluminum is an element that is toxic to nerve cells and can cause Alzheimer's disease.
low testosterone
As we age, testosterone levels decrease in both men and women. This increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
Alzheimer's is an incurable disease. Current pharmaceutical treatments are designed to target the symptoms of the disease rather than the underlying cause.
Because this disease probably does not have a single cause, a real cure for Alzheimer's may not be discovered.
Researchers continue to examine both beta-amyloid and tau protein treatments as possible curative treatments for Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's drugs are primarily designed to improve patients' quality of life.
Because current pharmaceutical treatments focus on the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, many Alzheimer's patients also take medication to control their behavior.
When brain cells deteriorate, medication and other treatments may be needed to control the irritability, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, hallucinations, and other behavioral disorders of Alzheimer's.
What Is Good For Alzheimer's Disease?
There are natural treatments that are effective in relieving Alzheimer's symptoms. These treatments promote a healthy life, preventing the disease for a long time and preventing the onset of dementia and other brain disorders.
Physical activity
Exercise has a significant impact on brain health. Alzheimer's patients who walk regularly perform better in activities anddepression The incidence of other mental health problems, such as
mental activity
Training the brain is just as important as working the muscles. Moderate mental activity reduces the effects of the disease in midlife. Those with an active mind are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Mental activities such as playing games, solving puzzles, and reading help keep fit as you age.
Vitamin E
Researches,Vitamin EThe results show that it slows neurodegeneration in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's causes oxidative damage. Therefore, antioxidants such as vitamin E have the potential to be a treatment for the disease.
Vitamin D
Vitamin DIt is produced when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It works with calcium to build strong bones. It helps regulate the immune system and is important for the life cycle of human cells such as brain cells.
Many patients with Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases are deficient in vitamin D. Exposure to natural light promotes healthy sleep, especially in patients with severe Alzheimer's disease.
Melatonin
In addition to better sleepmelatoninIt has many benefits for those with Alzheimer's disease. A recent study examined the effectiveness of melatonin as a treatment for blocking nitric oxide in Alzheimer's patients. Alzheimer's patients have lower function of melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2.
manganese and potassium
Manganese deficiency It is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Sufficientpotassium Without it, the body cannot process beta-amyloids properly and increases in oxidative stress and inflammation are seen.
Increasing potassium and magnesium intake improves cognitive performance and prevents the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
natural plants
Plants have many restorative and healing properties. There are certain herbs that can stimulate the brain processes necessary to help prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Safran veturmerichas been observed to have beneficial results for Alzheimer's patients. Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, curcumin improves cognitive function by reducing the formation of beta-amyloid plaques.
ketosis
Ketosis is the use of stored fat for energy. When the body is provided with appropriate ketones, such as the medium-chain triglycerides found in coconut oil, Alzheimer's patients can improve their memory function.
To promote ketosis, to encourage the body to use fat instead of glucoseintermittent fasting and low in carbohydratesketogenic diet applicable. When in ketosis, the body creates less oxidative stress and provides more efficient mitochondrial energy to the brain. This process reduces glutamate levels and promotes healthy brain function.
Olive oil
Using olive oil as a foodMediterranean diethas shown beneficial results in Alzheimer's patients. In animal experiments, olive oil improved memory and promoted the growth of new cells. Olive oilSince it acts to reduce beta-amyloid plaque formation, it can delay and prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
