Alzheimer's disease is a Public Health Emergency- World Alzheimer’s Day 2025

As the veteran actor Mohanlal wins the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, we’re reminded of the various characters through which Lalettan became the owner of every Malayali’s heart. One such critically acclaimed performance is Shri Mohanlal as Rameshan Nair in the 2005 movie Thanmathra. If you haven’t sobbed seeing that movie, hats off to you!

Thanmathra, directed by Blessy, brings to light a very painful condition- Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s takes away an important part of your life- YOU. You’re nothing without your memories.  World Alzheimer's Day is observed worldwide on September 21st, as part of a broader Alzheimer’s Month observed throughout September. The theme of Alzheimer’s Day 2025 is ‘Ask About Dementia. Ask About Alzheimer’s.’ This theme encourages open conversations, reduces stigma, and empowers communities to better understand and support individuals suffering from these conditions.

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a serious neurodegenerative condition primarily caused by abnormal protein accumulations in the brain, specifically amyloid plaques and tau tangles that impair neuronal function and connectivity over time. While studies are being conducted to understand the exact cause, several risk factors contribute to this condition, such as:

• Individuals over 65 are at the strongest risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

• Specific variants of the APOE gene increase the vulnerability to developing this condition.

• Lifestyle, medical history (including depression, hypertension, and head injury), and environmental factors play roles.

• Most cases stem from an interplay of these factors, with less than 1% due to inherited mutations.

Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease does not take away one’s memories in a single go. It starts with subtle, progressive memory loss and confusion. Over time, other symptoms manifest, like:

• Difficulty remembering recent events and familiar routines.

• Disorientation, language problems, and poor judgment.

• Mood swings, withdrawal from activities, and behavioral changes.

• As the disease progresses, severe impairment in reasoning, decision-making, and independence occurs, affecting basic bodily functions and complete reliance on others.  

Research has pointed out that India currently has around 8.8 million active Alzheimer’s cases, and this figure is expected to nearly double to 17 million by 2036.

Alzheimer’s is becoming more common than ever; it is becoming a public health emergency. While there are various reasons for this, one key important fact to note is that Early Onset Alzheimer’s exists. Early onset refers to individuals developing Alzheimer’s before the age of 65. These are often ignored or misdiagnosed because symptoms can be mistaken for stress, mood disorders, or work-related problems. However, with recent advancements in health care, such as advanced brain imaging techniques and others, early-onset Alzheimer’s has been easier to detect than before.

Dementia vs Alzheimer’s: What’s the Difference?

1. Dementia 

   It is an umbrella term for a group of symptoms such as memory loss, language difficulties, etc. Dementia isn't a disease itself, but is caused by various brain disorders like Alzheimer's, frontotemporal degeneration, and others. All types of dementia are generally progressive, but the speed and symptoms vary according to the cause. 

   
   

2. Alzheimer's disease 

   It is a specific neurological disorder marked by progressive decline in memory and other cognitive skills due to abnormal protein deposits (plaques and tangles) in the brain, lifestyle, age, etc. Alzheimer's accounts for 60–80% of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s is always progressive, beginning from mild memory loss to severe impairment.

   
   

Prevention: How to Protect Your Brain Health

While research is being done on the cure for Alzheimer’s, as of now, there’s no emerging cure for Alzheimer’s. Preventive measures can be taken to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These include:

1. Movement is medicine. Engaging in regular physical activity supports overall cognitive health. Walking, running, stretching, yoga, or any other physical activity can stimulate memory, focus, and blood circulation to the brain.

   
   

2. Your brain needs rest. Sleep is essential for good brain health. 7-8 hours of sleep for adults is not a luxury but a necessity. Both the quality and quantity of sleep are important. When we have a good sleep, waste such as beta-amyloid, associated with Alzheimer's disease, is eliminated.

   
   

3. Nutrition is a key constituent of good brain health. A balanced diet, especially one rich in omega-3 fatty acids (found in soybeans, fish oil, spinach, etc.), is highly recommended for good brain health. Avoid the consumption of junk food, alcohol, and drugs. 

   
   

4. Work your brain. If you stop ‘brain work’, the cognitive functions start to degrade. Puzzles, learning new skills, reading books, and engaging in brain-stimulating activities etc. help to build and maintain cognitive reserve. Never stop learning.

   
   

5. Stress makes your brain weak. Manage your stress levels using relaxation techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, etc. This reduces the chances of brain aging.

   
   

6. Your social relationships are important. Living in a circle of family and friends and engaging in social activities can promote social and emotional health, hence reducing loneliness.

Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s

Caring for someone suffering from Alzheimer’s is not easy. The disease doesn’t affect the individual alone, but also their loved ones. If you are someone taking care of someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or witness your loved one suffering, we want you to know that you’re not alone. This disease can take a huge toll on your mental health, productivity, daily life, and relationships. In this journey of caring or being there, taking care of yourself is also equally important. If you notice mental health issues like depression, anxiety, grief, and so on, Koott is there for you. Our sessions can enable you to become better mentally prepared for this challenge- Alzheimer’s.

Being a caretaker doesn’t mean that you’ve got to be strong.

It just means that you must be human enough to hold them in their painful times. Kind enough not to let go.

And Koott promises you the exact same thing……….to not let go of you today!