Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects millions of people around the world. It can cause a person to lose their memory, ability to think clearly, and even their independence.
Parts of Brain Affected
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases. Dementia is a general term for decline in cognitive function due to disease or injury. Alzheimer’s specifically affects the areas of the brain responsible for memory, language, and thinking.
Cause of Alzheimer’s
The cause of Alzheimer’s is still unknown, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Age is the biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s, with the majority of cases occurring in people over 65 years old though cases in younger people is becoming more common. Other risk factors include family history, previous head injuries, and Down syndrome.
Symptoms
There is no one symptom that indicates someone has Alzheimer’s disease. However, common early symptoms include memory loss, difficulty completing familiar tasks, and changes in mood or personality. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, difficulty speaking, and an inability to care for oneself.
Is There a Cure?
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are treatments available that can improve symptoms and help people live independently for longer. These treatments include medication, cognitive training exercises, support groups, and a clinical study using infrared light is showing some great promise.
Dr Paul Chazot is a Senior Lecturer at Durham University and is leading the research of using infrared light therapy to reverse dementia symptoms by triggering nerve cell repair and increasing blood flow to the brain with the use of a special medical device that is worn on the head. Watch video below for more details and to see what this device looks like.
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating condition that affects millions of people around the world. However, by understanding the facts about Alzheimer’s, we can better support those who are affected by it. A great source for more information is the Alzheimer’s Association.
Just six minutes of using this device twice a day is showing amazing results.
