About Alzheimer’s Disease

Part of the Conversation I’d like to have with you is about Alzheimer’s Disease.  The “A” word. The “A” Team we don’t want to be picked for. It’s a major health challenge confronting more and more people as they grow older, and even some younger folks with what’s called “early onset Alzheimer’s.”  A doctor last week told me he was afraid the condition would overwhelm the entire healthcare industry in the not-distant future, and I’ve noticed it too in my hospice practice over the last ten years.  More and more of my patients have it.  In fact, one of the nursing homes I’ve regularly visited is mostly patients with one form of dementia or another, and many have Alzheimer’s (which is one of several kinds of dementia). 

So for the next few posts I thought I’d provide some information about the disease – how to tell the difference between the normal forgetfulness most of us encounter as we grow older and something else that might be a more serious problem, what dementia and Alzheimer’s are,  and what you can do about it.   I think the more we know about it, the less frightening Alzheimer’s is.  Information keeps you in control.

The first step to take if you’re concerned is to make an appointment with a top neurologist who specializes in Alzheimer’s and have what’s called a neuro-psych exam done.  That involves, first of all, an interview with you and, usually, a close family member, to go over your whole physical history, and getting information about the problems you’ve been encountering with your memory. Second, you’ll get a physical exam, including a blood test, the purpose of which is to see if something else, like a vitamin deficiency,  might be the cause of your memory loss. Third, they’ll take pictures of your brain – a brain scan -- to see if something else might be causing your forgetfulness, such as a stroke. Finally, you’ll take a memory test to see how well you do with both short-term and long-term memory.  The neurologist will also look at your medical records, including the medications you are taking, because sometimes it’s possible one of your meds that is causing forgetfulness. 

At a second appointment, the neurologist will go over the results of all the tests and give you a diagnosis. (See an example of a follow-up interview.)  It is very possible your memory issues is not Alzheimer’s at all, and he or she will tell you what it is and make recommendations for treatment.  If it is Alzheimer’s, the neurologist will have his or her own Conversation with you, answer any questions you have, and lay out a plan for treatment of the disease.  The first question most people ask is, of course, “How long have I got before it gets really bad?”  Many times it’s a spouse that asks that question. 

It may be reassuring to know that Alzheimer’s is usually very slow moving.  But the neurologist will go over the normal progression and outline the steps along the way that might help slow it down and other treatments.   He or she will probably want to see you every six months or so and take more smaller tests along the way. 

 If you are concerned about issues you or someone you love is having now, and would like to know more, please get in touch with me, and I can provide the names of the top neurologists in your area who specialize in dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as resources for more information.  Simply fill out the form under the Contact heading above, and I’ll call or email you within 24 hours.