It is common to think that, through recurring complaints about memory failuresbrief forgetfulness is a sign for the Alzheimer’s disease. However, A mental lapse does not always mean an alert to the diagnosis.
In short, it is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain, compromising cognitive functions such as memory, language, reasoning and behavior.
“It is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly and, until now, it is believed to be caused by the abnormal accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, leading to the loss of neurons and brain atrophy”, explains geriatrician Simone de Paula Pessoa Lima at CNN.
Meanwhile, memory lapses are transient and momentary episodesusually caused by distraction, tiredness or .
“Usually, there is a failure in attention or in the temporary storage of information, and often not associated with neurological diseasesbeing common in some moments of life of the entire population”, defines neurologist Rayssa Garibe to CNN.
“Already the forgetfulness represents an inability to retrieve information previously stored in memorywhich can range from mild to severe. They can be normal, associated with age, or pathological, that is, neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, other dementias or neurological disorders”, he adds.
What makes Alzheimer’s disease worse?
According to Simone, there are several factors that contribute to the development or progression of the diagnosis. Among them, there is emphasis on aging itself, family history, presence of specific genes, cardiovascular diseases, sedentary lifestyle, inadequate diet and social isolation.
“In addition, infections, head trauma and low cognitive reserve can also play an important role,” he adds.
Rayssa also says that, naturally, aging leads to some changes in memory, such as occasionally forgetting names or appointments, but this should not impair daily functions.
“Neurodegenerative diseases occur with memory problems that begin to affect daily lifeand are accompanied by other cognitive deficits. However, when memory loss begins to interfere with daily activities, the person loses the ability to perform simple tasks or begins to get lost frequently, this may be indicative of a more serious condition, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or even even dementia”, he says.
The first signs that can lead to the diagnosis
According to neurologist Garibe, an important sign is the rapid progression of memory loss. “For example, if forgetfulness becomes more frequent or is associated with other symptoms, such as loss of attention, change in level of consciousness or behavioral changes, this may be a sign of severity, indicating the need for diagnostic investigation.”
Simone also adds the difficulty finding words or orient yourself in time and spacein addition to subtle changes in behavior or humorsuch as irritability and apathy. “These symptoms may seem mild at first, but they progress to significant difficulties”, he guarantees.
Although Alzheimer’s is more common in people over 65 years old, it can manifest itself early, between 40 and 60 years old, in the form known as Early-onset Alzheimer’s. “It’s rarer. The risk increases significantly with advancing age, especially after age 85. However, the impact of genetic and environmental factors can anticipate or delay symptoms”, says the geriatrician.
Preventing Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Although there is no guaranteed prevention, adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of developing . Practical examples include:
- Balanced diet based on the Mediterranean diet with consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil;
- Practice regular physical activities;
- Stimulate the brain with reading, games or learning new skills;
- Stay socially active;
- Control chronic conditions – such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol;
- Avoid tobacco consumption and excess alcohol;
- Maintain mental health, including treating depression and managing stress.
When to seek specialized help?
For Rayssa, the signs of forgetfulness that justify seeking a neurologist generally involve significant changes in the patient’s memory and daily life.
“Forgetfulness becomes worrying when there is a rapid and progressive evolution that starts to interfere with daily life and basic functions. Many have difficulty carrying out usual tasks, such as cooking or driving in familiar places, repeating questions or stories several times, without understanding”, he comments.
“Other warning signs can be observed when patients present other symptoms associated with forgetfulness, such as persistent, mental confusion or difficulty concentrating, loss of strength, tingling or sensory changes”, he concludes.
