Does memory loss in the elderly mean Alzheimer's disease? What should we do?

A friend talked to Huazi about Alzheimer's disease. Where does this disease come from and how to treat it with drugs? Huazi said that Alzheimer's disease (also known as Alzheimer's disease) is a difficult disease. The real cause has not been clarified, so there is no effective treatment at present.

Alzheimer's disease can be treated with drugs, but the drugs used are only maintenance treatments. They can only improve symptoms and try to delay the progression of the disease, but cannot completely cure it.

1. Alzheimer's disease with unclear etiology

Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system that occurs in the elderly. Its main symptoms are cognitive dysfunction and behavioral impairment. Memory loss is the core symptom. In the early stages of the disease, it manifests as forgetfulness and decreased learning ability. For example, learning a new function on a mobile phone will be quickly forgotten after learning it, and repeated learning will lead to repeated forgetting.

As the disease progresses, short-term memory loss will occur first, followed by long-term memory loss. Spatial disorders may occur, such as not being able to find the way home. Personality changes may also occur, with symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, and suspicion. If the disease develops to a serious stage, the patient may become erratic in crying and laughing, lose the ability to speak, and be unable to take care of himself.

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is not clear at present. Relevant research has found that the cause of the disease may be the result of the combined effects of genes, lifestyle and environmental factors. A small number of cases are inherited from the family. If a parent develops Alzheimer's disease before the age of 65, then their offspring are likely to also develop the disease.

People who have had head trauma, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity and other chronic diseases, who sit for long periods of time, smoke, lack of sleep, eat a high-fat diet, and have little social interaction, may all increase their risk of Alzheimer's disease. However, these risk factors are controllable and can be improved in a targeted manner to reduce the probability of developing the disease.

2. Memory loss does not necessarily mean Alzheimer's disease

It should be noted that as people age, their brain nerves degenerate and amnesia inevitably occurs. Forgetfulness that does not affect normal life is normal for the elderly, but when it becomes difficult to concentrate, memory and thinking abilities decline, or illusions and hallucinations occur that affect normal life, you should seek medical attention immediately.

The department you visit is the Department of Neurology. Large hospitals may have more professional "memory clinics" or "cognitive impairment specialists." You will need to do a head CT or MRI, EEG, blood and urine routine tests, as well as a neuropsychological analysis. You will also need to take a comprehensive look at the symptoms and test results, and also pay attention to whether there are symptoms of dementia caused by diseases such as stroke and Parkinson's.

3. Drug treatment of Alzheimer's disease

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown, but when the disease occurs, the neurotransmitter (acetylcholine) in the brain will be significantly reduced. Therefore, the use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors can reduce the hydrolysis of acetylcholine, increase the level of neurotransmitters, strengthen the function of synaptic transmission, and significantly improve symptoms. Commonly used drugs of this type include donepezil, rivastigmine, and huperzine A.

More and more studies have shown that glutamatergic neurotransmitter dysfunction can also cause dementia symptoms and aggravate disease progression. Memantine is a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist that can regulate glutamate activity and can also be used to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Brain nerve cell rehabilitation drugs can promote brain cell metabolism, increase brain cell function, and can also be used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Commonly used drugs include oxiracetam, piracetam, aniracetam, etc.

If patients with Alzheimer's disease develop mental symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, etc., they will also need to be treated with antipsychotic drugs and antidepressants.

What we need to understand is that Alzheimer's disease is a disease that cannot be completely cured. The drugs used can only improve symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease, but cannot stop the disease. The course of Alzheimer's disease is about 5 to 10 years. Eventually, the patient will lose the ability to move and develop complications such as severe lung infections, urinary tract infections and pressure sores, which are life-threatening.

To sum up, the cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown and cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be improved through drug treatment. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and interacting with people more can effectively prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease. Drugs must be used under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.