Why See A Doctor For Alzheimer’s Disease?

“Many people mistakenly believe that Alzheimer’s disease is a “natural” outcome of aging- this is simply not true. Although advanced age is a risk factor for the disease, it is not an expected outcome of aging. If you are worried that you might be showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease, or you are reading this because you are concerned about someone you care about, it’s important to know that early diagnosis can help slow progression of the disease. It’s important to get an early diagnosis so that treatment can start early”.

-Dr. Bella Zimilevich, MD

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is a condition that causes memory loss and a decline in cognitive functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for somewhere between 50 to 80% of cases of dementia.

What are the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease?

Age is the single greatest risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s. Notice that I did not say that aging causes Alzheimer’s (younger people are sometimes diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but far less often than older individuals), but  Alzheimer’s does become more common as age advances. Most people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are 65 years of age or older.

Heredity is known to be a factor in Alzheimer’s disease. If you have a close family relative (parent, sibling or child) with the disease, your risk is higher than someone who has no family history of the disease.

Scientists have identified genes that are implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Some genes raise your risk of of developing Alzheimer’s, while others almost guarantee that you will develop Alzheimer’s.

However, it’s important to know that the type of Alzheimer’s that is passed down through generations of the same family is rare, accounting for only about 5% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.

What signs and symptoms might signal the development of Alzheimer’s disease?

What can I expect if I come to see you (or I bring my loved one to see you)?

You can expect that I will treat you (or your loved one) with respect and dignity. I am an internal medicine physician and I specialize in geriatrics, which means I have specialized training in caring for older individuals. Most importantly, I care and I want to help you or your loved one if you are concerned about Alzheimer’s, as I know just how scary the symptoms can be, and what a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease means.

First of all, I will want to take a detailed medical history. I will want to know about past and present medical problems, past surgeries, current medications and allergies. I will also want to perform a thorough physical exam, which means that you will be asked to change into a gown. I will assess you completely from head to toe. I will also do a neurological examination to see if there are balance and/or gait problems, visual problems or other neurological issues.

I may also perform mental status testing, which involves testing of memory, recall and other cognitive functions. Lastly, I may order blood work, brain imaging exams or other diagnostic tests if I feel that symptoms are consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. If I order tests, I will tell you why I think the test is necessary and what I think the test will rule out or tell me.

It’s important to know that other diseases and conditions can cause some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, and that these conditions may be completely reversible, so it is important to rule them out.

Once I have all of the information I need, we’ll discuss the results and decide on a plan of care. If you, or your loved one, have Alzheimer’s disease it is important to know that, although the condition can’t be cured, there is treatment available that can slow disease progression. Medications can help with memory, sleep disturbances and other symptoms of the disease. It’s also important to know that there is a lot of research going on regarding Alzheimer’s disease, and new knowledge is coming forward all the time.

If you are concerned that you may have Alzheimer’s disease, or you worry that a loved one is showing signs, make an appointment to see me. The sooner you come in, the sooner you will have an answer. If Alzheimer’s is the reality, treatment can begin immediately, which can help to slow disease progression and symptoms.

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