Treat Alzheimer’s early: Experts

Degenerative dementia exists in 3.7 million people in India wherein neuro-disorders impair functioning of the brain. Anxiety related dementia is suffered by 40 per cent of the population but is a reversible condition. Thirty-five per cent of degenerative dementia escalates into full-fledged Alzheimer’s over a period of four to five years.

Dr Chandrashekar Naidu, senior neurosurgeon at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, said, “In India, the increasing life-expectancy will increase the threat of Alzheimer’s. By 2020, the number is expected to rise significantly. Hence it is important to take preventive steps and that lifestyles concentrate on being brain-healthy.”

The focus across the world is on reducing the risks of developing dementia by ensuring that the brain is healthy by always keeping it active. Increasing evidence suggests that a healthy diet along with regular physical and mental exercise can reduce the risk of dementia.

Dr Radha Krishna, senior neurologist at Care Hospitals, said, “The brain can be kept active by indulging in simple yet challenging activities. Cognitive activities like solving riddles, puzzles, teaching young children, learning a new language, reading and updating yourself with new findings, reading news and updating oneself with the latest are of great help. This way, the brain’s nerves are forced to look out for what’s new and this helps to keep it on the edge.”

Those who suffer from dementia are found to have low confidence, have difficulties in performing tasks, memory lapse and confusion. Dr Naidu said, “It is important that people must not take continuous episodes of memory loss, repetition of words, anxiety, depression, suspicion and fear as problems of aging. If these signs are addressed early, a lot of damage to the nerves of the brain can be saved. Earlier, intervention of both, therapy and medicines helps the person to live a healthy life.”

1) Memory loss: Forgetting family members, significant places (like their home), important dates and events.

2) Confusion: With a well-known place which the patient has regularly visited, time, name of a significant person in their life, activities they have performed everyday like bathing, washing hands after going to washroom, changing of clothes and acts of daily living.

3) Unable to perform tasks which were done everyday like cooking, shaving, arranging files or cleaning the homes.

4) Difficulty in socializing because of stammering, repeating words, confused and not able to keep a single conversation for even a short while.

5) Changes in personality like crying or laughing suddenly.

Taking care of an Alzheimer’s patient is a tough task, and healthcare systems in India are yet to evolve to create a support group for these patients.

Most often it is the immediate family members who have to take care of the patient. and it is a tedious task.

Senior consultant neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar said, “The burden of taking care of the patient lies on the family members who often lack time and also knowledge of the disease.”

Preventive steps are being advocated to ensure that the deterioration is not advanced.

Dr Padma Veerapaneni, senior neurologist and stroke specialist, said, “It is essential for those who have high blood pressure to take a low salt diet. Stop smoking, moderate the intake of alcohol and avoid saturated fats. A daily dose of physical as well as mental exercise is a must as it ensures that the nerves are working properly.”

Physical exercise for 30 minutes

Practicing yoga, deep breathing

Be happy, relax, play board games and write out your routine everyday.

Eat a healthy diet with less of saturated fats.