How long is the lifespan of someone with Alzheimer's?

Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

Updated on September 13, 2024

00:00

00:00

The causes of dementia in the elderly can be varied, with many diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and vascular dementia, all leading to senile dementia. Therefore, how long one lives may require specific analysis.

If the dementia is due to cerebrovascular factors, the lifespan of the individual may be closely related to the primary disease, i.e., cerebrovascular disease. Dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease progresses with the disease and affects the patient's lifespan. In its advanced stages, when the patient can no longer take care of themselves, complications such as lung infections can further impact their lifespan.

There are also other factors, which need to be assessed based on the evaluation of the disease.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Tang Li Li

Neurology

58sec

home-news-image

Methods for Examining Dementia in the Elderly

The examination of dementia mainly includes the following aspects. First, it is to determine whether the patient has cognitive impairment, because in the early stages of dementia this impairment is often mild, primarily in recent memory, with other aspects not yet obvious. Early screening can use some cognitive evaluation scales, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, chosen according to the patient's cultural level. Second, imaging examination, commonly using brain MRI, can reveal significant signs of dementia such as deepened brain sulci, narrowed gyri, and widened lateral fissures, indicating brain atrophy. Third, genetic testing for the APOE gene, which may be related to dementia. Possession of this gene may increase the likelihood of developing dementia in the future, serving as an auxiliary diagnostic measure.

home-news-image

Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

1min 1sec

home-news-image

Mild manifestations of senile dementia

Mild dementia, especially in its early stages, often goes unnoticed by family members. The initial symptoms generally include being particularly forgetful. This particularly affects short-term memory; for example, a person might repeat what was just said or be repeatedly clumsy in daily tasks, sometimes losing keys or forgetting to turn off the stove while cooking. This might seem like a lack of concentration, but in reality, it is due to forgetfulness. Emotionally, individuals who were once lively might become indifferent or detached, sometimes showing signs of excitement or agitation. Behaviorally, there can be changes, such as previously generous individuals becoming stingy. Interests and hobbies that were once loved may no longer hold appeal, and individuals may become lethargic and less concerned with cleanliness and personal appearance.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

54sec

home-news-image

Alzheimer's disease is also called dementia.

Alzheimer's disease, also known as dementia in the elderly, was first identified abroad and thus named after the discoverer, Alzheimer. It is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in neurology, with a very high incidence among people over 65 in China and worldwide. The disease mainly affects patients' cognitive functions. Initially, patients do not meet the criteria for dementia and primarily exhibit a decline in memory. As the disease progresses, the decline in memory worsens, and patients begin to forget both recent and past events. Additionally, they may experience impairments in visuospatial abilities, judgment, comprehension, and learning capabilities. In the later stages, psychiatric symptoms and personality changes may appear, such as visual hallucinations, shouting, and gesturing wildly, among various other clinical manifestations.

home-news-image

Written by Zhang Hui

Neurology

47sec

home-news-image

What is the full name of dementia?

Senile dementia mainly refers to Alzheimer's disease, a condition with a relatively high incidence rate among the elderly population, and it is the most common neurodegenerative disease. The specific causes and mechanisms of this disease are not particularly clear. Under the influence of various factors, degeneration and death of the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and neurons occur, leading to a series of clinical manifestations. Initially, it mainly manifests as a decline in recent memory function, often forgetting recent events. As the disease progresses, there is a decline in calculating ability and judgment, significant spatial dysfunction, personality changes, and psychiatric symptoms.

home-news-image

Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

1min

home-news-image

How long is the lifespan of someone with Alzheimer's?

The causes of dementia in the elderly can be varied, with many diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and vascular dementia, all leading to senile dementia. Therefore, how long one lives may require specific analysis. If the dementia is due to cerebrovascular factors, the lifespan of the individual may be closely related to the primary disease, i.e., cerebrovascular disease. Dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease progresses with the disease and affects the patient's lifespan. In its advanced stages, when the patient can no longer take care of themselves, complications such as lung infections can further impact their lifespan. There are also other factors, which need to be assessed based on the evaluation of the disease.