The Healthy Juan: Senior moment or Alzheimer's Disease?

“Senior moments.”

A comical term to signify that a person is exhibiting signs of forgetfulness as a result of aging.

It's a way of making fun of a person, right?

But did you know that almost half a million Filipinos are suffering from serious memory loss such as Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive form of dementia. Dementia is a broader term for conditions affecting memory, thinking, and behavior that interfere with daily life.

Although many people have heard of the term “Alzheimer's disease,” some aren't familiar with what it is and how it affects families, including senior citizens.

In The Healthy Juan, Dr. Napoleon Arevalo of the Department of Health (DOH) states that Alzheimer's is a common cause of dementia that progressively deteriorates brain cells.

While everyone has episodes of forgetfulness from time to time, note that people who are suffering from this degenerative disease display common behaviors.

Dr. Arevalo says, “Unang-una, memory loss. Pangalawa, nahihirapan magdesisyon o judgment.

“Halimbawa, laging nasusunog ang pagkain o 'yung niluluto. Maaring ang mga paulit-ulit na ginagawa ay naapektuhan na 'yung thought processes. Nahihirapan na siya gumawa ng judgment.”

Other symptoms include difficulty in speech or writing, becoming disoriented about times or places, decreased personal hygiene, frequent mood and personality changes, and withdrawal from family and friends.

He adds, “Ang unang-unang nawawala sa memory ay 'yung recent events.

“Bukod pa dito, hindi na siya makaalala ng kanyang identity at 'yung identity ng kanyang kamag-anak.

“Siyempre, magkakaroon ng depression kasi siya mismo tatanungin niya, 'Sino ba ako?'

"So, isa na 'yan sa mga worst-case scenario na magkaroon ng behavioral disorders, irritability o parati siyang nagagalit, dahil sa frustration niya na hindi niya maalala.”

Source: mkitina4 for Freepik.com

Alzheimer's typically affects people ages 65 years and older. However, it can occur in people as early as their mid-40s or 50s.

As of the moment, there is no known cure for it but there are treatments that can slow down its progression.

The only way to diagnose someone is to go to the doctor to assess one's mental abilities.

“Unang-una, dapat ma-diagnose talaga o may pronouncement ng isang health professional na ang pasyente ay mayroong Alzheimer's disease,” Dr. Arevalo says.

“Hindi lahat ng mga matatanda ay makakaranas nito. Ang importante po ay huwag nating kalimutan na ipakonsulta sila sa health professionals every six months.

"Kung maari, at least annual check-up mayroon sila nang sa ganun ay nabibigyan na ng karapatang atensyon.”

As for the caretakers, Dr. Arevalo suggests being more understanding of patients who suffer from Alzheimer's.

“Kailangan may pag-iintindi kasi magiging iritable ang ating pasyente at maaring ma-frustrate even 'yung mga nagsusuporta tulad ng caregivers o anak dahil hindi na nga sila maalala.”

Have patience and understanding to those suffering from Alzheimer's disease / Source: ake1150sb for Freepik.com

Just as there's no known cure, there are also no foolproof measures to prevent it from happening to you.

What Dr. Arevalo can recommend is simply focusing on healthy habits to prevent the decline of cognitive abilities.

“Unang-una ina-advocate natin na bata ka pa lang o teenager ka pa lang healthy lifestyle na,” he claims.

“Pwede nating bawasan ang mga bisyo tulad ng pag-inom at paninigarilyo.

“Maari rin tayong kumain na masusutansya pagkain na rich in vitamins and minerals gaya ng Vitamin D, Vitamin B Complex, at Folic Acid na makukuha sa fruits and vegetables.”

Just like the disease itself, Alzheimer's still has so many unknowns.

What experts do know is that the condition worsens over time, but treatment can help delay the symptoms and improve one's quality of life.

If you think you or your loved one may have Alzheimer's, the first step is to talk with a geriatrician or a neurologist.

They can help make a diagnosis, discuss what to expect, and help connect you with services and support.

So the next time you joke around someone who's having a “senior moment” maybe it's time to think twice.