Alzheimer’s care during a pandemic: everything you need to know

Alzheimer’s disease causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. At first, symptoms may be minimal, but they can get worse. “The rate at which the disease progresses is different for everyone, but on average people with Alzheimer’s live eight years after the onset of symptoms,” says Dr. Sahil Kohli, consultant, neurology, Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Gurugram .

According to him, in India, more than four million people suffer from some form of dementia. Globally, at least 44 million people live with dementia, making the disease a global health crisis that must be addressed. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and can contribute to 60 to 70 percent of cases. The number of cases is estimated to double in India by 2030 and triple by 2050.

Dr Amit Srivastav, Senior Consultant, Neurology, Dharamshila Narayana Superseciality Hospital, says a recent study by UK Biobank on 40,000 participants has definitive evidence of post-Covid brain damage (loss of cells in the brain), as documented by serial tracking scans.

“These patients presented with new-onset dementia or sudden deterioration in cognitive ability in patients with dementia precocious / Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, prolonged isolation due to Covid rules in general and during hospitalization in particular has a negative impact on all patients with Alzheimer’s / dementia. Plus, stopping or a poorly managed treatment regimen also caused a lot of problems, ”he says.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that destroys brain cells and nerves and disrupts the neurotransmitters that carry messages. (Source: Getty Images / Thinkstock)

Given the current scenario, two aspects require immediate attention, says Dr Rajul Aggrawal, Senior Consultant, Neurologist, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, New Delhi.

* More and more people fall into the category of the elderly and are prone to Alzheimer’s disease or symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease.
* Since the pandemic hit, fast Memory deterioration has been observed in Alzheimer’s patients, as Covid also affects the neurological system.

“In the times to come, we may see a rapid increase in the number of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, they are susceptible to infections like pneumonia and Covid can potentially put them more at risk. Therefore, along with regular treatment, prevention of Covid should be the priority, ”notes Dr Aggrawal.

Common symptoms can include

*Memory loss is the most common sign, such as forgetting important dates or events; ask for the same information repeatedly; more and more need help remembering.
* Difficulty concentrating and taking much longer to do things than before.
* Difficulty planning or working with numbers.

With Alzheimer’s disease, a person can witness a persistent decline in their intellectual abilities. (Source: Getty / Thinkstock)

* Difficulty performing familiar tasks. People may find it difficult to get to a familiar place, remembering the rules of a favorite game.
* Confusion with time or place; forget where they are or how they got there. Patients lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time.
* Difficulty understanding visual images and difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast, which can cause problems while driving.
* Problems with spoken or written words. They may even stop in the middle of a conversation and not know how to continue or even repeat themselves.
* Misplace items and lose the ability to go back.
* May show poor judgment when it comes to money.
* Withdrawal from work or social activities: They begin to distance themselves from hobbies, social activities, work or sport projects, avoid social or family functions or events.
* Mood and personality changes: They may become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They can be easily upset at home, at work, and with friends.

Standard treatment goals for the management of dementia include

* Early diagnosis.
* Manage behavior and psychological symptoms.
*Better caregiver Support.
* Timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease helps both patients and families. This gives valuable time to begin treatment to slow memory loss.

East Covid-19 linked to Alzheimer’s disease?

In various studies, there is an early suggestion that Covid-19 may have long-term implications like forgetfulness and execution and language problems, and many more have shown that Covid can accelerate symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease. “A study from the Cleveland Clinic found a close relationship between the virus and proteins / genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease such as dementia. Further research and long-term studies will be needed to validate these early results and things will become clear in the times to come, ”said Dr Kohli.

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