Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys your mental functions. It causes the degeneration of brain cells, and leads to a steady decline in memory and mental function. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
What are the Symptoms?
The disease progresses at a different rate from one patient to another.
At the early onset of Alzheimer’s, patients notice increasing forgetfulness and mild confusion. You may find yourself having difficulty remembering things and/or organising your thoughts. You may not realise that something has changed even when there are noticeable changes in your family members, friends, and colleagues.
Advanced patients manifest increasing memory lost, including the loss of recent memory. They may undergo a change in personality and behaviour. These patients may also experience depression, delusions, and a loss of inhibitions. Important mental functions like the ability to read, dance, sing, enjoy music, and tell stories are usually lost at an advanced stage of the disease.
What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?
The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not yet understood. It may be caused by genetic changes. It may also be caused by a combination of factors, such as genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Risk factors may include:
- Age, particularly after age 65
- Family History
- Down Syndrome
- Gender, with women at a higher risk
- Cognitive Impairment
- Head trauma
- Lifestyle choices, particularly obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, low fibre diet
When do I seek Medical Advice?
Based on the information you provide and test results, your doctor will make an informed judgement about whether you have Alzheimer’s disease. A definitive test for Alzheimer’s disease does not exist.
Doctors rely on various tests in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, including:
- Physical exam to check neurological health. He may test your reflexes, muscle tone, sense of hearing and sight, coordination, and balance.
- Blood tests
- Neuropsychological tests to assess memory and thinking skills
- Brain imaging
What are the Treatment Options?
Although Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible, there is a range of treatment options available that may help the patient adjust to living with the disease.
- Medication to help manage cognitive changes and behavioural symptoms
- Creating a supportive environment that strengthens routine habits
- Exercise
- Nutrition
- Supplements like the Omega-3 fatty acids, ginkgo, and Vitamin E
Dr Lau Tzun Hon is a resident housecall doctor at CMY Medical. He received his MBBS (Hons) from Sydney University in 2001 and has served in the both private and government restructured hospitals prior to commencing his practice in Home Care.
While in the Government Restructured Hospitals, Dr Lau served primarily in the Department of Accident & Emergency Medicine and Anaesthesia. Upon entering the Private sector, Dr Lau worked in both public and private A&E departments before venturing into Home Care.
Over the years, he has developed a strong passion to maintain and enhance the quality of life for patients under his care. A strong believer that healthcare does not need to be financially straining, Dr Lau often delivers more value beyond expectations.
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