Spain continues without a strategic plan against Alzheimers.

-In Spain there are about 360,000 patients although it is estimated that there are about 200,000 cases more undiagnosed

-A precocious, basic diagnostics to improve the quality of life of patients

-Spain must overcome the limitations of the institutional and structures health care if you want to move forward in their investigation

Spain, 2011-September today 21 September is the day world of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common disease of dementia. According to the data managed by the Sociedad Española de Neurología (SEN), there are more than 360,000 patients in Spain and it is estimated that approximately 200,000 others were undiagnosed.

But in addition, the progressive ageing of the population will in the coming decades grow very significantly the number of people older than 65 years, and it is estimated that in about 30-40 years be can double the current figure, which will involve more than one and a half million people affected by the disease in Spain.

Although in recent years important progress has been made in the knowledge of the disease, as well as in its early diagnosis, it is necessary to continue efforts to promote health education of the population about what are the first symptoms and promoting effective coordination between primary and specialized care to ensure the best response to the demand for diagnostic the person who complains of memory failures. Diagnostic and therapeutic clinical research remains crucial before one of the diseases that most will increase in incidence in the next few years ”, says Dr. Pablo Martinez-Lage Álvarez, Coordinator of the Group’s behavior and dementias of the society Spanish of Neurology. in particular, in Spain, clinical research is presenting a significant delay for years compared to other developed countries. It is necessary to enhance clinical dementia units, the banks of brains, studies clinicopatologicos, projects of anatomical and functional neuroimaging and clinical centers that support research ”. Association Alzheimer’s disease International (ADI) has just published its annual report which calls for each country a strategic anti-Alzheimer’s to optimize the diagnosis and treatment, improve access and the management of resources and promote research. To date, in Europe only France, Great Britain and Germany have a plan as well.

Some 25 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in the world. There are several risk factors: demographic, old age, female sex, illiteracy and medical history, primarily those known as cardiovascular risk – diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, increase in cholesterol, factors and others such as depression, menopause, etc.

Alzheimker disease is treatment. There are four drugs that have demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing their cognitive behavioural symptoms and functional. They are drugs that can be stabilize ” between one to two years the evolution of the symptoms and they can even delay the need for admission in residence. Therefore, a diagnosis early becomes an essential tool for improving the quality of life of patients. The problem is that often the initial Stadium may go unnoticed. As the disease has a form of varied appearance, does not follow a unique pattern, and has a gradual development sometimes it is difficult for the patient or their families distinguish early symptoms of Alzheimer’s own age changes ”, explains Dr. Pablo Martinez-Lage Álvarez.

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative process most likely produced by deposition of protein beta-amyloid and causing a gradual loss of neurons and their connections. Except in the rare cases in which the disease is due to a mutation genetic the Alzheimer has no known cause. For distribution at the cerebral level produces cognitive symptoms, behavioral symptoms and ultimately loss of functional capacity and limited autonomy and independence. Initial symptoms include:

-progressive loss of memory
-lack of
-difficulty to perform usual tasks
-problems with the language
-disorientation in time and space
-difficulty to recognize objects and people
-decrease of the trial, with problems to distinguish right from wrong
-changes in mood or behavior
-lost in familiar places
-Show difficulty making decisions
-lack initiative and motivation
-show signs of depression and aggressive
-losing interest in hobbies or interests prior
-difficulty handling money

” is important to know that age, if same, does not produce dementia. The age can be done to decrease the agility to learn or to remember but age does not explain the loss of memory, does not justify the daily, repeated and persistent memory bug. When someone wondering if some loved, if he or she is starting with the Alzheimer’s time to go to the doctor and that is the moment in which the doctor must be prepared to give a professional answer based on a clinical evaluation and a proportionate and appropriate diagnostic study and total respect to rights and the autonomy of the individual consultation.