Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease
Dementia is a broad term used for a group of conditions that affect different functions of the brain, including memory. Among these, Alzheimer's disease is the most common type.
Alzheimer's disease is most often seen in people over 65 years of age, though it can sometimes develop in younger people too.
It's also worth noting that Alzheimer's tends to affect slightly more women than men.
Common Symptoms
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
Alzheimer's disease is thought to happen because of a build up of two substances found inside the brain, called amyloid and tau.
As amyloid and tau build up, they form tiny structures called plaques and tangles. These make it harder for the brain to work properly.
Over time, Alzheimer's disease causes parts of the brain to shrink. It also reduces the chemicals the brain uses to send messages around.
Eventually, the brain struggles to cope with this damage, which can lead to problems with memory and thinking.
Over time, the damage also spreads to different areas of the brain. The first areas affected are usually the ones responsible for memory.
Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease
The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known. But several things may increase your risk of developing it, including:
- growing older
- having had a severe head injury in the past
- in very rare cases, a family history of the condition
When to speak to a healthcare professional
If you're worried about your memory, or think you may have dementia, you should speak to your doctor.
If you're worried about someone else, encourage them to see a doctor, and offer to go along with them for support.
More advice if you're worried about dementia
Diagnosis
Memory problems are not always caused by dementia. Depression, stress, certain medicines or other health issues can also be behind them.
Your GP can run some simple checks to help work out what is causing your symptoms, and if needed, they can refer you to a specialist for further tests.
Treatment
There's no cure for Alzheimer's disease at present, but treatments are available to help manage the symptoms. Your doctor or another healthcare professional can talk you through the treatment options that would suit you best.
There are also things you can do that help you live well for as long as possible with dementia.
Read more about living well with dementia
Your future health and social care needs will need to be looked at, and a care plan drawn up for you. This ensures you get the right kind of support for your situation. It usually involves working out things like:
- what help you or the person caring for you might need so you can stay as independent as possible
- whether any changes to your home would make daily life easier
- whether you may need financial assistance
Please don't include personal information such as your name, location, or details of any personal health conditions.