Alzheimer's explained

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Many of us will experience some changes in our cognition as we age. But dementia is not a normal part of aging.

Transcript

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Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. Many of us will experience some changes in our cognition

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as we age. But dementia is not a normal part of aging. [MUSIC PLAYING]

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Dementia is an umbrella term for problems with memory and thinking that interfere with daily life. While we aren't entirely sure of the exact cause

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of Alzheimer's, the disease is generally caused when the brain loses neurons and their connections. The cells in our brains communicate

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with each other to share and store information and ultimately keep our bodies running normally.

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When the brain cells are damaged, they can't interact properly. This changes how brain cells communicate with each other

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and affects the way we think, feel, and behave. For people living with Alzheimer's, this can mean memory loss, confusion, difficulty

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learning new information, or recalling recent events, as well as changes in mood and behavior. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease.

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So symptoms worsen as time goes on. As the disease progresses, an Alzheimer's patient may become more irritable or agitated.

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They may become restless and start pacing or become angry and have sudden physical or verbal outbursts.

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In most cases, there is a reason behind it. If your loved one is experiencing agitation or aggression, it may be out of frustration.

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They may be experiencing pain, discomfort, fatigue, hunger, or thirst but are unable to articulate how they're feeling.

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They may be frustrated because they can't communicate things they previously could. If you care for an Alzheimer's patient experiencing agitation symptoms, know that you're not alone.

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Up to 90% of people with dementia experience some form of behavior or psychological symptoms.

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We don't yet have a cure for Alzheimer's, but there are medications available to help ease some of these symptoms.

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Talk to your health care provider. Together, you can come up with a plan that works for you and your loved ones.