<br />Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder It's characterized by changes in the brain that lead to deposits of certain proteins. Alzheimer's disease causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to eventually die. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia — a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior and social skills. These changes affect a person's ability to function<br />We must differentiate between DEMENTIA and Alzheimer<br />Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, <br />while alzheimer's is a specific disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an umbrella term that caused by wide range of diseases and more symptoms .<br /><br /> Dementia Symptoms and causes <br /> causes<br />•Frontotemporal dementia<br /> Vascular dementia<br /> Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy Chronic traumatic encephalopathy<br />Mixed dementia<br /> • Parkinson's disease <br />Symptomes<br /> A decline in memory<br /> Changes in thinking skills<br /> Poor judgment and reasoning skills<br /> Decreased focus and attention<br /> Changes in language<br /> Changes in behavior<br />Back to Alzheimer<br /> a gradual decline in memory, thinking, behavior and social skills. These changes affect a person's ability to function<br /> People with Alzheimer's disease may:<br />*Repeat statements and questions over and over.<br />*Forget conversations, appointments or events.<br />*Misplace items, often putting them in places that don't make sense.<br />*Get lost in places they used to know well.<br />*Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday objects.<br />*Have trouble finding the right words for objects, expressing thoughts or taking part in conversations.<br />Changes in personality and behavior <br />*Depression.<br />*Loss of interest in activities.<br />*Social withdrawal.<br />*Mood swings.<br />*Distrust in others.<br />*Anger or aggression.<br />*Changes in sleeping habits.<br />*Wandering.<br />*Loss of inhibitions.<br />*Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen.<br />Risk factors<br />Age :4/1000 among 65-74y<br />And reached to 75\1000 in 85 ys and above <br />Family and genetics<br />Down syndrom<br />Gender : more in women because longer life <br />Head injury <br />Air pollution <br />Excessive alcohol and drugs abuse <br />Poor sleep patern<br />Live style and heart care : poor ex. Obesity.smoking.<br /> High cholestrol poor control diabetic type 2<br /> <br /> <br />Treatment<br />Medicines includes<br />Cholinesterase inhibitors<br /> donepezil (Aricept, Adlarity), galantamine (Razadyne) and rivastigmine transdermal patch (Exelon). <br />Memantine (Namenda). This medicine works in another brain cell communication network and slows the progression of symptoms with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease<br />Creating a safe and supportive environment. <br /><br />Alternative medicine<br /> Vitam. E Omega3 Gingo and Melatonin which regulate sleep<br /><br />Dr.Essam Ali Abdullah Al-Sudani