Turkey Alzheimer’s Association Leader Prof. Dr. Haşmet Hanağası made special statements for September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day. Underlining that there is a great increase in the frequency of Alzheimer’s disease and diseases that cause dementia, due to the increasing elderly population, Prof. Dr. Hasmet Hanağası said, “World Alzheimer’s Day is of great value in drawing attention to the issues of Alzheimer’s patients and dementia patients, and what can be done to help them and their loved ones
.” said.
Stating that there are around 50 million dementia patients in the world and that 2/3 of these patients are Alzheimer’s patients, Prof. Dr. Haşmet Hanağası said, “The number of Alzheimer’s patients in our country is similar to the rates in developed countries. It is thought that there are around 800,000 dementia patients in our country. The majority of these patients are Alzheimer’s patients. In the last 10 years
, there has been an increase in the number of patients with the increasing elderly population.” he said.
Noting that Alzheimer’s patients and their relatives are given extensive offers by healthcare professionals at all levels, Prof. Dr. Haşmet Hanağası said, “These offers; It includes different areas such as the systematic use of drugs by patients, the management of behavioral and psychiatric problems, the making of environmental regulations and legal issues. made a statement.
Alzheimer’s disease can now be diagnosed very easily.
The greatest advances in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease are in the direction of understanding the pathophysiology and risk factors of the disease, Prof. Dr. Haşmet Hanağası said, “Now, Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed very easily from the early stages. However, the biggest expected development is the emergence of new and powerful options with the treatment of the disease. With a better understanding of the mechanisms of the disease, new treatment options may appear before us.” he said.
The most valuable developments in Alzheimer’s disease; In the form of making the diagnosis of the disease at earlier stages and revealing the risk factors, Prof. Dr. Haşmet Hanağası said, “However, we still do not have enough information about how the disease started. Therefore, this lack of information has led to limited success in treatment. It is expected that new treatment options will come to the fore with the understanding of disease systems
even better.” said.
Underlining that Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most researched diseases in the world, Prof. Dr. Haşmet Hanağası said, “Thousands of articles are published on the disease every year. Ultimately, it is expected that these studies will reflect on treatment.” made a statement.
Alzheimer’s disease is divided into two clusters when its genetic characteristics are examined
Prof. Dr. Haşmet Hanağası continued: “The first cluster includes patients who start at an advanced age and whose family history is not so obvious. In this cluster, the disease generally starts over the age of 65 and having a family history of Alzheimer’s disease increases the risk of developing the disease. Some genetic risk factors or genetic protective factors in all of us in this cluster, together with environmental risk factors, contribute to the emergence of the disease. The second cluster in terms of genetic features is the cluster that accounts for less than 1% of all Alzheimer’s disease, which we call familial Alzheimer’s disease. In this cluster, the disease often begins before the age of 60. The age of onset of the disease may regress to the age of 30. This cluster has a family history
of severe early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. When patients are examined, mutations that can cause Alzheimer’s disease are detected.
Alzheimer’s disease is seen a little more in women, but the cause of this condition is not known for sure, and it is thought that some hormonal and genetic risk factors related to female gender have a role. Dr. His Majesty Hanagasi concluded his words as follows: “Alzheimer’s disease is an insidious disease. The disease first begins with easy forgetfulness that does not affect daily life, and over time, mental complaints create negative effects on the patient’s life. Disruption in mental functions begins to impair daily life activities. Disruptions occur in daily functions, such as calculating money, finding a destination, and doing housework. Alzheimer’s disease can be easily separated from forgetfulness with clinical tests, various laboratory and imaging examinations.
“Don’t Forget You – The Smell of Experience” awareness project for Alzheimer’s patients and their relatives
Alzheimer’s Association of Turkey, in order to raise awareness in the society and to emphasize the importance of early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, specially for patients and their relatives; Implemented the awareness project “Don’t Forget You – The Smell of Experience”
The awareness project “Don’t Forget You – The Smell of Experience” awareness project, which is carried out with the unconditional support of Santa Farma, focuses on smell, one of the first forgotten senses of Alzheimer’s patients. With the awareness project, patient relatives remind their loved ones. Within the scope of the awareness project, these essences are turned into cologne so that the incoming stories are not forgotten.
