Alzheimer’s, of which prevalence is increasing with increasing life expectancy, is emerging as a health problem that profoundly affects not only individuals but also families and the entire society. World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21st, is celebrated worldwide to draw attention to Alzheimer’s disease, raise awareness, and raise public awareness. On this special day, Near East University Hospital Neurology Department Specialist Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlem Önder shared what people need to know about Alzheimer’s disease.

Recalling that the term “dementia” is derived from the Latin word “mens,” meaning mind, by adding a negative suffix to its front, Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlem Önder said, “Dementia refers to the subsequent loss of acquired mental functions. It is defined as a syndrome that causes deterioration in intellectual and social abilities in a conscious person to the point of affecting their daily activities, and Alzheimer’s is the most common form of this disease.”

50% to 70% of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s!

Assist. Prof. Dr. Önder states that Alzheimer’s is the cause of 50% to 70% of dementia cases, and that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s reaches as high as 3% to 11% in individuals over the age of 65 and 20% to 47% in individuals over the age of 85. Assist. Prof. Dr. Önder emphasized that Alzheimer’s disease, which causes physical and psychological devastation in old age, also ranks fourth in terms of disease-related deaths. She said, “As the aging population increases, it is clear that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and the burden of the disease will also increase.”

“Alzheimer’s disease is a slowly progressive clinical condition that begins with memory loss without any impairment in consciousness, leading to deterioration in multiple cognitive domains. This leads to a significant decline in social and occupational functioning compared to previous levels.” saids Assist. Prof. Dr. Önder, adding; “Alzheimer’s disease is not only a disease that affects cognitive functions but also includes behavioral problems, inability to perform activities of daily living, decline in motor functions, sleep disturbances, and many other clinical manifestations that indicate involvement of the autonomic nervous system.”

Forgetting recent events and names may be a sign of Alzheimer’s!

Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlem Önder listed the most common symptoms such as forgetting recent events and names, redoing tasks, repeating things, being unable to find items they’ve placed, missing items while shopping or struggling with payment, making mistakes while cooking, experiencing difficulty using simple tools they could previously use, experiencing the risk of getting lost due to confusing familiar paths, and difficulty making simple decisions like choosing clothes or placing an order. She added, “However, in cases such as occasional wrong decisions, a few days’ delay in a monthly payment, occasionally losing items, or forgetting names but being able to recall them the same day, fear of Alzheimer’s shouldn’t immediately arise. A neurologist should be consulted for the necessary examination and guidance.”

Age is the most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s!

Emphasizing that age is the most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s, Assist. Prof. Dr. Özlem Önder said, “The incidence of Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after age 65. Genetic factors also increase the risk of the disease. A first-degree family history of Alzheimer’s disease indicates a 10 to 30 percent increased risk. Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and alcohol use, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cerebrovascular and myocardial infarction, are also significant factors in the development of Alzheimer’s.” Assist. Prof. Dr. Önder stated that healthy lifestyle routines, such as incorporating protective factors such as a healthy diet, avoiding bad habits, and regular exercise from an early age, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. She also emphasized the importance of mental activity by saying; “Having five years or less of education is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, increasing education levels and ensuring continuity in education and training through the concept of ‘lifelong learning’ are of great importance.”