Near East University Hospital Neurology Department Specialist Dr. Özlem Önder says that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, which causes 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases, doubles every five years after the age of 65.
With the increase in life expectancy, aging has become one of the most important demographic phenomena of the 21st century. Although the increase in average life expectancy to 70-80 years in developed countries is defined as a “victory for humanity” by the World Health Organization, it can also bring with it many problems. The most common type of dementia is undoubtedly Alzheimer’s.
Near East University Hospital Neurology Department Specialist Dr. Özlem Önder explained what you need to know about Alzheimer’s, of which case rate is increasing day by day. Reminding that the term dementia was created by adding a negation suffix in front of the Latin word “mens”, which means mind. Özlem Önder said, “Dementia is used to mean the subsequent loss of acquired mental functions. The most common of this disease, which is defined as a syndrome that causes destruction of intellectual and social abilities in a conscious person to the extent that it affects daily life activities, is Alzheimer’s.”
Alzheimer’s risk doubles every five years after the age of 65!
Dr. Önder says that Alzheimer’s is the cause of 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases. Önder stated that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s is 3 to 11 percent in individuals over the age of 65 and that rates reach as high as 20 to 47 percent in individuals over the age of 85. Emphasizing that Alzheimer’s disease, which causes physical and psychological destruction in old age, ranks fourth in terms of disease-related deaths, Dr. Özlem Önder said “As the aging population increases, it is clear that the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease and the burden created by the disease will gradually increase.”
“Alzheimer’s Disease is a clinical condition that has an insidious onset and slowly progresses in its course, in which more than one cognitive domain is impaired, starting with memory destruction without any impairment in consciousness, and a significant regression is observed compared to the previous level of social and occupational functionality. Alzheimer’s disease is not a disease that only affects cognitive functions, but also includes behavioral problems, inadequacy in daily living activities, regression in motor functions, sleep disorders and many clinical conditions indicating that the autonomic nervous system is affected.”
Don’t forget recent events and names, they may indicate Alzheimer’s!
Among the most common symptoms of Alzheimer’s: “Forgetting recent events and names, repeating tasks, saying things again, not being able to find the items you put away, missing items while shopping or having difficulty paying, making mistakes while cooking, having difficulty using a simple tool that you have been able to use before, confusing known routes.” Near East University Hospital Neurology Department Specialist Dr. Özlem Önder lists situations such as “being at risk of getting lost, having difficulty making simple decisions such as choosing clothes and placing an order.” Özlem Önder says, “However, in cases such as occasional wrong decisions, a few days’ delay in a monthly payment, losing belongings from time to time, or forgetting names but being able to remember them on the same day, Alzheimer’s anxiety should not be experienced immediately and the necessary evaluation and guidance should be obtained by consulting a neurologist.”
The most important risk factor in Alzheimer’s is age!
Emphasizing that the most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age, Dr. Özlem Önder said, “The frequency of Alzheimer’s disease doubles every 5 years after the age of 65. Genetic factors also increase the risk of the disease. Having a first-degree family history of Alzheimer’s disease indicates a 10 to 30 percent increased risk. Diseases such as smoking and alcohol use, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular and myocardial infarction, which are known as modifiable risk factors, are also of great importance in the development of Alzheimer’s.” Dr. Önder says that healthy life routines such as healthy eating, avoiding bad habits, and introducing protective factors such as regular exercise into our lives from an early age can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Dr. Özlem Önder also emphasized the importance of mental activity: “Having an education of 5 years or less is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s Disease. For this reason, it is of great importance to increase the level of education and ensure the continuity of education and training with the concept of ‘lifelong learning’.”