We think about every part of our body, but sometimes we tend to neglect our brain health. Our brains do a lot, including allowing us to communicate, make decisions, solve problems, store memories, and much more. Because of the many functions that our brain does, we must take better care of it. Â
June is Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Month. Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects more than 6 million people in the United States. The awareness of this disease to the masses needs to increase, and we are here to do that. Let’s dive into the deeper conversation of Alzheimer’s and Dementia and what you should know about it. Â
What is Alzheimer's & Dementia?
Dementia is a brain disease that causes memory loss; Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that usually affects seniors. Unfortunately, Alzheimer’s accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, and though it mainly affects seniors, it is not a normal part of aging. Â
It’s important to point out that Alzheimer’s is progressive. So, one may not recognize that this disease is slowly affecting them, but it is.
10 Signs To Look For
Most of us associate memory loss as a sign of Alzheimer’s. Though this is a major sign, there are 9 others to look for.
Forgetting information that was recently learned, forgetting important dates, needing to rely on memory aids, or asking the same question over and over.Â
Finding it hard to complete daily tasks or drive to a familiar location.
Changes in the ability to plan and follow the plan, trouble keeping track of bills, or working with numbers.
Problems with vision, difficulty reading and recognizing colors, or trouble balancing. Â
Losing track of dates, seasons, and time. Trouble understanding why things aren’t happening immediately or forgetting how they got to a location. Â
Leaving things in unusual places and forgetting or not being able to trace steps back to find the item again.
Unable to follow a conversation or stopping a conversation to repeat themselves, struggling with familiar vocabulary, or using the wrong name for an object.Â
Poor decision-making skills or paying less attention.Â
Very irritable, confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious in or outside their comfort zone.
Trouble keeping up with work or social activities, so withdrawal from these activities occurs.
Early Diagnosis
Paying attention to these signs is the only way to get an early diagnosis. In addition to this, if you know that Alzheimer’s is a disease that runs in your family, you may also want to speak to your doctor about this. They will be able to work with you and watch out for early signs.Â
What Treatment is Available?
Having a conversation with your doctor is the first step to getting treatment. Various treatment options are available, and depending on your symptoms, your doctor will assist with choosing the right treatment. Â
Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, but treatment options help with symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Doctors compare the benefits and side effects of the treatment to choose what is suitable for the patient. In most cases, insurance can pay for treatment, and other services will help reduce the cost. Â
If you learn anything from this blog, early detection of Alzheimer’s is important. The earlier you’re diagnosed, the more treatment options are available. For more information about Alzheimer’s, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association website. If you or a family member are experiencing any symptoms of Alzheimer’s, please call MyCHN and schedule an appointment. Â
Tolulope Ayoola
Tolulope Ayoola is the creative marketing content writer at MyCHN. She graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown with a degree in Technical Communications. Her goal and mission is to make healthcare patient content more relatable and interesting to interact with. She combines her creative eye with her technical communication skills to create content for patients. Tolu's past work includes creating blogs, press releases, and social media content for different sectors. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing, and listening to music & podcasts.
