World Alzheimer’s Day 2026 The earlier you know, the more you can do : A dementia diagnosis matters|Dr Mona NongmeikapamI would like to start out with an apology- No, we cannot cure Alzheimer’s Disease.
Other types of Dementia:* Vascular Dementia* Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)* Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)* Parkinson’s Disease Dementia* Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease: Recognising the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease is helpful in its early detection.
While age is the highest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, it is not solely age that contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease involves a process to evaluate cognitive function and eliminate other potential causes.
World Alzheimer’s Day 2026 The earlier you know, the more you can do : A dementia diagnosis matters
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Dr Mona Nongmeikapam
I would like to start out with an apology- No, we cannot cure Alzheimer’s Disease. You cannot leave your affected family members with us to be fixed, there are no medicines yet to undo the symptoms of Dementia and yes, Caregiver Burnout in Dementia is real.
The World Alzheimer’s Day is observed every year on September 21st as part of World Alzheimer’s Month to raise global awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. It was first started in 2012 under the aegis of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) and has been annually observed world-wide since then.
No, I didn’t forget either. It was very heartening to be reminded by my few ardent readers that they were actually looking forward to my article on the said day. So here it goes, and thank you for inspiring me to write on.
Theme and Focus of this month this time will be recognizing early warning signs and seeking timely medical evaluations instead of dismissing symptoms as normal aging. Over 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, with Alzheimer’s accounting for 60% to 70% of cases.
Timely diagnosis allows patients and families to access appropriate care, plan for the future, and reduce social stigma. According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International, every 3 seconds a diagnosis of Dementia is being made (10 million new cases every year). Official figures hint at close to 3000 persons suffering from Dementia in our State (6.7% of individuals above the age of 60 years).
Coming to the FAQs (frequently asked questions) :
What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behaviour. It is the most common cause of dementia, especially in older adults, but it is not a normal part of aging. Over time, it worsens, making it difficult for those affected to carry out daily tasks.
Is Alzheimer’s Disease the same as Dementia? Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Other types of Dementia:
* Vascular Dementia
* Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)
* Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
* Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
* Traumatic Brain Injury, etc.
Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease:
• Early Stage: Memory loss happens slowly and noticeably. People may forget recently occurring events or familiar names.
• Moderate Stage: In this stage, cognitive decline becomes more apparent. The patient may have problems with problem-solving, speaking, or carrying on with routine activities. They may become increasingly irritable or moody towards care-givers for what they may perceive as “neglect” or “challenging of authority”, which might actually be concern by the immediate family members or vigilance secondary to their dementia symptoms.
• Advanced Stage: At this stage, patients can become unable to talk and may require full-time care since they are challenged in the basic functions of eating and walking.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease: Recognising the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease is helpful in its early detection. The common warning signs include:
• Memory loss that disrupts daily life
• Difficulty planning or solving problems
• Confusion about time or place
• Misplacing things and inability to trace back the steps
• Mood and personality changes
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease : The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not known with complete certainty; however, it is generally believed to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. It involves abnormal protein buildup in the brain, in which the accumulation of these proteins causes damage to nerve cells, thereby affecting cognitive functions. While age is the highest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, it is not solely age that contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease:
• Age: The risk increases sharply after the age of 65.
• Family history: A positive family history increases the vulnerability.
• Genetics: Specific genes can raise the risk.
• Health issues like poorly controlled diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease may contribute to Dementia.
• Lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle, smoking, poor diet, poor quality of sleep, lack of exercise and lack of socialising can all speed up the progress of illness. A regular observation in the OPDs is the stark progress of forgetfulness after individuals retire from their jobs and are resting, especially in front of the idiot box!
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease involves a process to evaluate cognitive function and eliminate other potential causes. Detecting the disease early on enables better care and management.
The key steps in diagnosing Alzheimer’s are as follows:
• Reviewing Medical History of both personal and family medical histories, along with noting changes in behaviour, memory, and daily activities.
• Physical and Neurological Exams could help identify signs of damage or other possible reasons for cognitive decline.
(To be contd)
