Alzheimer's disease: how to recognise and prevent it
Since 1994, the World Health Organisation and the International Alzheimer’s Society have established World Alzheimer’s Day, which is celebrated on 21 September worldwide
This day, which brings together Alzheimer’s patients, relatives and associations worldwide every year, testifies to the international interest in creating public awareness of the problems caused by this disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative neurological disorder affecting the brain
It leads over time to a state of total dependency, a situation that is not always easy to manage for family members and carers.
Early symptoms are characterised by difficulty remembering recent events and orientation difficulties, especially in new environments.
During the course of the disease, Alzheimer’s sufferers experience severe memory loss, ask the same questions over and over again, may get lost in familiar places, fail to recognise loved ones and places, and neglect their own safety, hygiene and nutrition.
Alzheimer’s disease is not the only known dementia
However, it is estimated to account for 54% of all dementias, with a prevalence in the over-65 population and in women.
Worldwide there are 46.6 million people with dementia, 9.9 million new cases per year (1 case every 3 seconds).
In Italy there are 1.2 million people with dementia, 269,000 new cases per year (737 cases every day).
Can it be prevented?
As the global population ages, it is estimated that the number of people with dementia will double in the next 15 years.
Reducing the risk of this disease is among the World Health Organisation’s priorities.
The onset of Alzheimer’s disease is associated with several risk factors that can be divided into two categories: non-modifiable risk factors, such as age and gender, and modifiable risk factors, such as lifestyle.
While it is not possible to act on the former, it is possible to intervene on the latter and achieve significant results.
By completely eliminating modifiable risk factors, in fact, we could reduce the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease by 40%, i.e. we would almost halve the number of Alzheimer’s patients.
What are these modifiable factors in the development of Alzheimer’s disease?
Level of education, smoking habits, excessive alcohol intake, sedentariness, diabetes, hypertension, obesity and exposure to environmental pollution.
Are there any treatments?
There are still no drugs that can stop and reverse the disease; today, available treatments aim at controlling the symptoms.
Research laboratories are working on active ingredients that help prevent or slow down the disease: the development of new drugs for Alzheimer’s dementia is a field in great development.
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