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Health

TAS Weekly: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

As Oman and the rest of the world prepare to mark Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, The Arabian Stories is opening a little window of awareness to redress discrimination and uphold the 2024 tagline: ‘Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer’s’

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Friday, September 13, 2024

‘I don’t know’ is a simple phrase; one that people without any afflictions use on a daily basis. It raises no eyebrows and is, often, dismissed as arrogance or ignorance. But if you know someone who has dementia or have a loved one enduring frequent memory lapses, that frequently posed rejoinder might come across as a difficult thorn to budge.

As Alzheimer’s patients navigate their daily routines, their cognitive abilities can be severely affected by the progression of the disease, often leading to frequent uncertainties and confusion – manifested in the common response, ‘I don’t know’. This phrase highlights the broader challenges faced by patients, emphasizing the need for greater understanding and support. By acknowledging these struggles, we can foster more compassionate care and work towards improving the quality of life for those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

Alzheimer’s, the most common cause of dementia:

While dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life, Alzheimer’s is a specific disease; Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80 percent of dementia cases.

With someone in the world developing dementia every 3 seconds, let this World Alzheimer’s Day become a platform for us to recognise the profound impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on daily life. 

To understand the prevalence of dementia, check these figures from World Health Organisation:

  • More than 55 million people have dementia worldwide.
  • Over 60 percent of them live in low-and middle-income countries. 
  • Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases.
  • A staggering 75 percent of people with dementia remain undiagnosed globally. 
  • Globally, dementia ranks as the seventh leading cause of death.
  • Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.
  • Women provide 70 percent of care hours for people living with dementia.

A Degenerative Brain Disorder:

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that gradually destroys brain cells, leading to a decline in cognitive function. This condition leads to a gradual decline in cognitive function, with dementia symptoms that worsen over time. Early signs of Alzheimer’s often involve difficulty in retaining new information, as the disease initially affects the brain regions responsible for learning.

As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals experience increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, confusion, and changes in behaviour. In the later stages, the disease can impair essential functions such as speaking, swallowing, and walking, significantly affecting daily life. 

A relentless thief of memories and identities, Alzheimer’s disease casts a shadow over the lives of millions worldwide. As this progressive neurological disorder advances, it erodes the very essence of who we are, leaving behind a trail of lost recollections and fragmented futures. 

Early Signs:

While memory loss – ranging from forgetting important dates to repeatedly asking same questions – is a key indicator, Alzheimer’s can manifest in various ways, often subtly at first. Here are some key warning signs to watch for:

  • Struggling to follow a plan or recipe
  • Difficulty concentrating on detailed tasks
  • Trouble managing finances
  • Difficulty driving to familiar places
  • Problems completing routine tasks
  • Forgetting the rules of games
  • Disorientation or feeling lost
  • Difficulty remembering where you are or how you got there
  • Difficulty reading or judging distance
  • Trouble distinguishing colours
  • Struggling to find the right words
  • Repeating oneself
  • Avoiding conversations
  • Frequently misplacing items
  • Putting things in unusual places
  • Accusing others of theft
  • Making poor financial decisions
  • Neglecting personal hygiene
  • Reduced interest in hobbies or activities
  • Increased isolation
  • Changes in mood
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Pain
  • Constipation
  • Vision or hearing problems

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and diagnosis. Early detection can help in managing the disease and improving quality of life.   

A Call to Action: 

The 2024 World Alzheimer’s Month campaign centres around the theme ‘Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer’s’. This year’s global initiative aims to challenge negative perceptions and dismantle the stigma surrounding this debilitating condition. The campaign underscores a critical call to action, urging communities and governments worldwide to address the challenges of dementia with renewed urgency and empathy.  

Oman Faces Growing Dementia Challenge:

By 2050, Oman is expected to have approximately 124,800 individuals living with dementia, which highlights an urgent need for increased awareness and action. Currently, an estimated 15,000 people are affected by dementia in the country. 

While there is no data to highlight the percentage of undiagnosed cases, Dr. Hamed Al Sinawi, Chairman of the Oman Alzheimer’s Society, has, on several occasions, highlighted across various media platforms the critical role of addressing stigma and misinformation, which often deter individuals from seeking timely diagnosis and care.

While early diagnosis, combined with effective post-diagnostic care, can help individuals manage dementia more effectively, there are several misconceptions that hinder treatment. One major challenge is the prevailing belief that dementia is merely a part of normal ageing, leading to delays in seeking professional help. 

Recent studies have shown the benefits of early diagnosis, which can provide patients and caregivers access to treatments and services that may slow the progression of symptoms.

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