Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, was not as prevalent in India compared to the Western countries, but the number seems to be slowly increasing as time goes by. Being the world's second most populous country, India has a considerably large elderly population that could be at risk of Alzheimer's.
'Compared to the West, the number is pretty less but, yes, the way in which Alzheimer's is slowly progressing in India demands attention and necessary measures, says Dr Sudhir Kumar, senior consultant neurologist, Institute of Neurosciences, Hyderabad.
Why do Indians have a lower risk of suffering from Alzheimer's disease? What has led to the increasing number of cases?
You may like to read
'Alzheimer's is a disease that largely affects the senior population between age group 60-70 years, but in India the number of people dying young (below 60 years) is slightly higher so the number of people at risk of neuronal degenerative disease like Alzheimer's is less, says Dr Sudhir.
'One reason why Indians are thought to be less prone to Alzheimer's is the frequent use of turmeric in the Indian diet. Turmeric contains a compound called cucurmin that prevents or delays the onset on Alzheimer's,' says Dr Sudhir. Besides, a lot of Indian ingredients have the potential to prevent memory loss with old age. But today, poor nutrition in early stages of life, lack of physical activity and other activities to stimulate the brain seem to have increased the prevalence of Alzheimer's among Indians.
What are the challenges faced by Alzheimer's patients in India?
Dr Sudhir highlights the challenges faced by Alzheimer's patients in India:
Indians don't perceive it as a disease: Majority people in India don't perceive memory loss as a disease. Indian families, in general, tend to ignore mental health of their elders, which results in delayed diagnosis.
Delayed diagnosis: Firstly, ignorance leads to delayed attention to the symptoms of the disease. Secondly, family physicians, at times, are not well aware about the disease, which further delays the diagnosis.
Lack of specialised care: Alzheimer's, not being highly prevalent in India, lacks healthcare support to a great extent. In the West, there are specialised nursing homes and caregivers that look after patients' well-being. But in India, specialised institutions are not there, however some organisation help in patient-care.
Lack of family support: Without specialised care and support, the entire burden of taking care of the patients lies with the family members, who most of the times lack knowledge about the disease. Earlier, women were mainly involved in taking care of the elderly but now more number of women work, which is also responsible for poor elderly care. In today's busy lifestyle, people don't have the time to spare and take charge of such patients.
What can be done to improve healthcare for Alzheimer's patients in India?
Increased awareness: According to Dr Sudhir, awareness is the most important thing that will help in providing better healthcare to these patients. Caregivers and family members should be aware that Alzheimer's patients need to be looked after. Once the disease progresses 3-4 years, patients would need help for feeding, grooming, moving around, etc. But, they can lead a normal life if they receive proper care.
Family attention: Family members play an important role in early diagnosis of the disease. Memory loss or forgetfulness in elders should not be taken lightly. Understand that if memory problem is a common thing among elders at your home, there has to be a cause for it.
Accurate diagnosis: Doctors should first look for treatable causes of memory loss. Many a times, vitamin B12 deficiency leads to dementia, which can be corrected with injections. Other treatable causes like hypothyroidism, infections (TB affecting the brain, syphilis,) and stroke should also be considered.
Focus on prevention: Alzheimer's is not curable as of now, and looking at the way current research is progressing, we don't see the possibility of finding a cure in the next 10 years. So it's better to make preventive measures stronger.
Preventive measures against Alzheimer's disease
Dr Sudhir suggests the following methods to prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease:
People who have crossed their 50s or 60s should take care of their mental health. After retirement, usually Indians have the tendency to live a laid back life. They stop all their activities that are good for the brain. This increases risk of memory problems. So, it is essential that you keep your brain active all the time.
Good nutrition, of course, plays an important role. Eat a balanced meal and focus on minerals and vitamins.
Regular health check-ups can determine deficiencies and other problems that could be affecting your brain activity. It also helps in early recognition of the disease.
For more articles on Alzheimer's, visit our Alzheimer's section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And for health-related queries, visit our Questions and Answers section.
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
