Alzheimer's disease looms as elderly population in India rises

Una: On the World Alzheimer's Day Executive Member, Indian Academy of Neurosciences, Dr Naresh Purohit averred that Alzheimer''s disease looms as elderly population in India rises. Currently, India has 8.8 million active cases of Alzheimer's disease and it is expected to rise to 17 million by 2036.

The highest prevalence is found in Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. With life expectancy going up, more people are reaching the age where Alzheimer’s becomes common, typically after 60.

Voicing his concern while delivering a keynote on Brain Degenerative Diseases at a Awareness Programme organised by the Bilaspur based All India Institute of Medical Sciences - Principal Investigator for the Association of studies for mental care – Dr Purohit said that Alzheimer's and dementia are two of the most common and serious brain degenerative diseases, both have an immense psychological and social impact.

"The incidence of Alzheimer's coupled with psychosis is presently on the rise in the hill state with 3 out of 10 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's also falling prey to psychosis", he added.

Disaster Mental Health Expert stressed that early detection and lifestyle interventions can slow progression of the disease and reduce its overall burden.

The next 20 years will be crucial for planning and allocating resources, training medical personnel, and educating the masses about the prevention and management of Alzheimer’s.

"Medication, which is primarily used to control the emotional effects, forms only 30% of the treatment required. Psychosocial environmental factors around the patient also need to be controlled in order to control the person's negative thoughts," he added.

Sounding a word of caution, he said how individuals with health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol at mid-aged are more susceptible to Alzheimer's at a later stage.

"Medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity in mid-life are all known to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. People can reduce their risk by keeping these under control. Depression is also a probable risk factor for dementia and thus treating this condition early is important," he said.

He said the early symptoms of Alzheimer's range from mild and gradual memory loss to speaking difficulty.

"Gradual development of memory loss is one of the earliest symptoms. From forgetting day-to-day happenings to appointments and misplacing items, Alzheimer's patients suffer from crippling effects of the disease which make them dependent on those around them to carry on," he explained.

Experts emphasized the importance of a healthy diet, good sleep, regular exercise, and meditation for prevention.