There is a new case of dementia every 3.2 seconds, and there’s not much that we can do about it
There is a new case of dementia every 3.2 seconds, and there's not much that we can do about it
With more than 40 lakh people in India suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a serious problem with the aging population requiring screening, care and support, stated experts on World Alzheimer’s Day observed on September 21.
An analysis of prevalence, incidence, cost and trends finds that there are currently around 46.8 million people living with dementia around the world, with the numbers set to increase to 74.7 million by 2030 and 131.5 million by 2050. There are over 9.9 million new cases of dementia each year worldwide, implying one new case every 3.2 seconds.
Brain diseases require awareness
In India, the major problem is lack of awareness about brain diseases.Alzheimer’s is mainly related with memory loss and affects the functioning of the brain. Research has shown that the neurotransmitters in the brain are affected because of the disease. Chemicals in the brain get altered and due to that the functioning of the brain is affected with major impacts on memory, thinking and behavior.
Dr. Pankaj A. Agarwal, neurologist and Parkinson disease and movement disorders specialist at Global Hospitals said, “The first signs to spot are short-term memory loss where simple things like keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling in known areas in the neighbourhood are forgotten.”
Dr Agarwal added, “Family members must seek help if such symptoms are seen.”
Compassion, care and patience is the key
Genetically inherited forms of Alzheimer’s disease form only 0.1 per cent of the population and occur mostly before the age of 65. For others, it is a combination of factors like lifestyle diseases and environmental causes. Dr Saravana Kumar Devulapalli, consultant neurologist at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences said, “The exact cause for Alzheimer’s disease is not understood. But what has been seen is that it damages and kills brain cells. A brain affected by this disease has many fewer cells and many fewer connections among the surviving cells than a healthy brain. As the disease progresses, more cells die and slowly the brain shrinks.”
Even after detection, pharmacological therapy is found to lead to only short-term improvement. Dr Devulapalli added, “The drugs are found to not affect the disease progression but only compensate for lost neurons. For this reason there is a lot of stress given on caregivers, nurses or family members of these patients. The caregivers have to be trained and in case a family member is the caregiver, than it is very important for other members to be courteous and also understand the manner in which this patient is being handled. Compassion and patience is the key.”
Onset of dementia in the young
Onset of dementia in young people, especially among the working age group between 30 and 65 years is called “working age” dementia.
Five per cent of all dementia cases are categorized as working age dementia.Those who suffer from various learning disabilities are also at a greater risk of developing dementia.
Working age dementia is due to stress or depression.
Alzheimer’s dementia is caused between the age group of 50 to 65 years. But those who are suffering from Down’s Syndrome have the tendency to develop Alzheimer’s from the age of 30 to 40 years.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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