In medical terms, AD stands for Alzheimer’s Disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive neurological disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. It is the most common cause of dementia, which is a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral, and social skills that affects a person’s ability to function independently.
AD typically starts with mild memory loss and can lead to the loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment. The disease affects parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. While the exact cause of Alzheimer’s Disease is not fully understood, it is believed to be a combination of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.
Early symptoms of AD include difficulty remembering recent conversations, names, or events, apathy, and depression. As the disease progresses, symptoms can include impaired communication, poor judgment, disorientation, confusion, behavior changes, and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, but treatments are available that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for those affected. Research is ongoing to better understand the disease and develop more effective treatments.