November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn about a disease that affects millions of individuals and their families. Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Let’s talk more about it.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that gradually impairs memory, thinking, judgment, and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease typically develop slowly and worsen over time, eventually affecting a person’s independence and quality of life.
What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?Early symptoms may be subtle and are often mistaken for normal aging. Common warning signs include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life, especially forgetting recently learned information
- Difficulty planning or solving problems
- Trouble completing familiar tasks at home, work, or during leisure activities
- Confusion with time or place
- Problems understanding visual images or spatial relationships
- Difficulty finding the right words during conversations
- Misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps
- Poor judgment or decision-making
- Withdrawal from social activities or hobbies
- Changes in mood, personality, or behavior
Anyone experiencing persistent memory problems or cognitive changes should discuss these symptoms with their healthcare provider. Early evaluation can help identify possible causes and provide access to treatments and support services.
What Are the Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease?
Some risk factors cannot be changed, including:
- Advancing age (the greatest risk factor)
- Family history of Alzheimer’s disease
- Certain genetic factors
- Female sex, partly because women tend to live longer
Other risk factors may be modified through healthy lifestyle choices, including:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol use
- Physical inactivity
- Untreated hearing loss
- Social isolation
- Poor sleep habits
Can Alzheimer’s Disease Be Prevented?
There is currently no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, research suggests that maintaining good overall health may reduce the risk of developing dementia. Experts recommend correcting or controlling the modifiable risk factors that I listed above.
One good rule of thumb is that what is good for your heart is usually good for your brain. But don’t forget about treating hearing loss with hearing aids and maintaining social connections. These are just as important.
Promising New Research: A Blood Test That May Predict Dementia Risk
One of the most exciting developments in Alzheimer’s research is the emergence of blood-based biomarkers that may identify people at risk for dementia years before symptoms develop.
Researchers have been studying proteins such as phosphorylated tau (p-tau217), which can be detected in a simple blood sample. Elevated levels appear to reflect the same abnormal brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. These tests may help identify people who are likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease long before memory problems become apparent. Although these tests are not yet recommended as screening tools for healthy adults, they offer hope for earlier diagnosis, the development of preventive treatments, and improved opportunities to protect brain health.
As we recognize Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, remember that adopting healthy habits today may help preserve memory and cognitive function for years to come. Early detection, regular medical care, and a brain-healthy lifestyle remain our best tools in the fight against dementia.
If you have any questions about Alzheimer’s Disease, please log into your account and send us your question. We are here to help.
Dr. Anita Bennett MD – Health Tip Content Editor