Many people have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease, whether you have been diagnosed yourself or you are caring for someone with the condition.
The NHS says Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia in the UK, with an estimated 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 and 1 in every 6 people over the age of 80 being diagnosed.
Dementia is not a different illness from Alzheimer's as it’s the name for a “group of symptoms” associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.
Alzheimer's Research UK stands for everyone affected by dementia.
— AlzheimersResearchUK (@AlzResearchUK) May 24, 2023
For too long dementia has taken our memories, our connections, our stories. It has no right to take any of this from us.
We stand #ForACure. 🟧
Will you join us? https://t.co/EKBE5uf5QU pic.twitter.com/x3XJpJgxkz
Health professionals have said although the disease is “not yet fully understood”, a number of things can increase the risk of developing it, such as getting older, having a family history of the condition and lifestyle factors associated with cardiovascular disease.
What are the early symptoms of Alzheimer's?
It’s thought that around 1 in every 20 people with Alzheimer's is under the age of 65, which is called “early” or “young-onset” Alzheimer's disease, reports the NHS.
When it begins to affect a person, the first sign is usually memory problems.
This can range from forgetting conversations to not being able to remember the names of objects and places.
Ambulance response categories explained
As the condition progresses, the symptoms become more severe, such as:
- confusion, disorientation and getting lost in familiar places
- difficulty planning or making decisions
- problems with speech and language
- problems moving around without assistance or performing self-care tasks
- personality changes, such as becoming aggressive, demanding and suspicious of others
- hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there) and delusions (believing things that are untrue)
- low mood or anxiety
Our thoughts are with our Ambassador @realmissfiona and her family following the announcement that she is living with dementia. Sharing such personal news publicly raises much needed awareness of dementia and we are extremely grateful to Fiona. pic.twitter.com/XEanag7Oz2
— Alzheimer's Society (@alzheimerssoc) July 4, 2023
Can you prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
The NHS says the cause of Alzheimer’s isn’t known and there is no official way to prevent it.
Recommended reading:
- The best exercise to lower your blood pressure according to new study
- Cervical cancer symptoms to look out for and when you should visit the GP
- I'm a GP: How to tell you've got high cholesterol and how to bring it down
However, people can introduce some factors that may reduce their risk or delay the disease, including:
- stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol
- eating a healthy, balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight
- staying physically fit and mentally active
It’s important to note that if you have any health concerns, you must speak to your GP.
More information about dementia and Alzheimer's disease can be found on the NHS website, Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer's Association and Dementia UK.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here