(fyiteam)
Alzheimer’s disease* is a degenerative disease of the brain and accounts for 60–70% of dementia cases in older age. Dementia is an umbrella term that describes the symptoms caused by diseases that destroy brain cells.
*In 1906, the German researcher and pathologist Alois Alzheimer first described the illness that later took his name.
In Greece, around 50,000–60,000 new cases of dementia are recorded each year, mainly among people over the age of 65.
Overall, it is estimated that about 200,000–220,000 people are currently living with dementia, the majority of whom have Alzheimer’s disease.
The number of people affected by the disease reaches 1.5 million when we include caregivers and relatives.
Globally, it is estimated that more than 50 million people have dementia.
(fyiteam)
Some of the symptoms above also place an added burden on caregivers.
In specialized Memory Clinics—clinics that focus on the assessment and treatment of patients with memory disorders—an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be made with accuracy of up to 95%. First, a clinical, neurological, and psychiatric evaluation is carried out, and further tests are recommended as needed.
Screening is recommended for anyone who shows “suspicious” signs and, in general, for people over the age of 60.
(fyiteam)
Mild, moderate, and advanced. In the third stage, the patient is completely dependent, inactive, and unable to communicate with their surroundings.
It is estimated that, on average, about 12 years elapse from the onset of symptoms to the final stage.
There is still no definitive cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are medications that help control the symptoms and maintain the quality of life of people living with dementia and of their families. These medications are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine. An additional medication, memantine, is indicated for the more advanced stages of the disease.
Patients are also often prescribed antidepressant medication to address aggression, irritability, and other challenging behaviors.
Medications for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are covered by EOPYY (Greece’s National Organization for Health Care Services Provision), with a 10% co-payment by the patient.
(fyiteam)
There appears to be an association between depression and dementia. However, it is not clear whether depression actually increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or simply represents an early manifestation of the disease itself.
Scientific research shows that Alzheimer’s prevention depends on adopting a specific lifestyle that addresses vascular risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity), through a healthy diet, regular physical and mental exercise, activities that stimulate cognitive functions, stress avoidance, and an active social life.
(fyiteam)
Athens Alzheimer’s Association: +30 210 70 13 271
Hellenic Association for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (Thessaloniki): +30 2310 810 411
Memory Clinics at public/private hospitals and at medical/scientific associations.
Eταιρεία Αλτσχάιμερ Αθηνών
Ελληνική Εταιρεία Νόσου Αλτσχάιμερ και Συγγενών Διαταραχών
Alzheimer Disease International
