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Alzheimer’s disease is a primary degenerative loss of memory. Normally found in people over sixty years it is characterized by a loss of memory. The person is irritable, has mood swings and withdraws from social interaction. The duration of the disease varies. It could be for an indeterminate time or it can continue undiagnosed. As the disease progresses, the person faces a language breakdown and faces lot of confusion.
It has not been concretely understood why exactly the disease is caused. The common held belief is that the cause for Alzheimer is because of some brain malfunctioning. Alzheimer causes a lot of miscalculated activities because the brain gets muddled up. This happens because of certain unforeseen activities in the brain. It has been seen that beta amyloid proteins which when secreted in the early stages of the disease cause a lot of formations or growths called “plaques”. Some of these proteins are dissolved in the serum. Some others are embedded on the surface of the blood cells -the red blood corpuscles and the white blood corpuscles. These together are called “complements.” The main function of the “complements” is to protect the body against any kind of infection. It identifies the microorganism and kills it. It increases the body’s capacity to develop immunity.
The growths can be classified as:
Plaques and tangles :
- Plaques : These are deposits of beta-amyloid. This is a protein which collects in the spaces between the nerve cells.
- Tangles : They are also deposits of protein. But the protein is tau. This collects inside the nerve cells too.
It has been understood that the plaques and tangles curb the ability of the nerve cells to communicate normally. Everything that happens in the body is due to the nerves. These are the transmitters of the body. The nerves transmit messages from the organ to the brain and from the brain back to the organ. When these fail in their purpose, diseases like Alzheimer occur. Plaques and tangles increase with age. This results in a lack of communication within. This slowly leads to Alzheimers.
Age : Another factor that is regarded as a cause of Alzheimer is age. As age advances, it has been seen that one out of eight people have it. Over 85 years of age, one out of every two people is a victim of the disease. It is seen that all old people over sixty years of age tend to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Family History : If the family has the history of someone developing or having developed Alzheimer then this is regarded as one of the regular Alzheimer causes. It has been seen that people who have developed Alzheimer’s are likely to pass it on to the family triple fold. The chances are higher if someone within the family has got it.
Genes
- There is a “risk” gene ApoE 4. This is a catalyst for Alzheimer’s but the cause of Alzheimer has not been directly linked to this. The scientists are of the opinion that a dozen more such risk genes are yet to be found.
- “Deterministic gene” is another gene which is much rarer. These are only found in very few families. This gene completely ensures that the person would contract Alzheimer’s.
Lifestyle : It has also been seen that lifestyle influences a person’s chance of developing Alzheimer. One of the chief causes for Alzheimer is a head injury. It is advisable for the person to use a safety belt while driving and not indulge in activities which involve any risk to the head. There is a relation between a head injury and Alzheimer’s disease. It is said that any serious fall which affects the head could later on be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
Diet : It is good to have a good diet and a healthy balanced lifestyle. A person should have a balanced diet providing the brain with the necessary nutrients and allowing the system to function efficiently. Tobacco and alcohol consumption too should be curbed. It is good to stay socially active and interaction with the people will increase the immunity in the body. This not only also stimulates the brain but also has a good effect. All this protects against Alzheimer’s.
Heart and Alzheimer’s : It has been seen that a heart problem could also cause Alzheimer. One of the regular Alzheimer causes, the brain functioning depends on the functioning of the heart. Thus any problem with the heart directly affects the brain thus leading to Alzheimer’s disease.
