Categories

Alzheimer’s and Dementia: What’s the Difference?

Other symptoms and signs of Alzheimer’s

  • Decreased [4] ability to plan
  • Loss of interest in work or gains
  • Detachment from society
  • The emergence of insomnia disorders
  • The gradual loss of the ability to think

As the disease progresses [5], the person has difficulty with speech. Initially, he/she simply confuses the letters in words, then they cease to logically construct sentences. At the most difficult stage, a person can no longer express elementary requirements; most of the communication with relatives takes place with the help of gestures. Also, with this ailment, the ability to write and read is practically lost, coordination is significantly reduced. Patients with such a problem find it difficult to serve themselves, they cannot perform basic household activities, such as cooking or cleaning.

The most severe stage of the disease is characterized by a complete loss of working capacity, thinking, speech and coordination. At this stage, it is difficult for a person even to take food on his own, therefore, the patient needs round-the-clock care. Gradually, many organs begin to fail, so the patient spends most of the time in a supine or sitting position. Because of this, he develops bedsores or pneumonia.

The disease itself does not lead to death, usually, the patient dies from cardiac arrest, complications after pneumonia, and other concomitant diseases, which are more pronounced against the background of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s treatment should be started as early as possible. Statistics show that if you start taking drugs at the age of 60, then a person will still live about 15-20 years. If the disease manifests itself at 70-75 years old, then the maximum human life is 10 years.