How Alzheimer’s Affects the Brain

Cases of Alzheimer’s disease in India are increasing! According to a 2023 medical report, approximately 88 lakh Indians—7.4% of adults aged 60 and above—are living with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, and its numbers are steadily rising. This neurological condition can have devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease on your cognitive health. Understanding how this disease affects the brain is critical for early detection, timely intervention, and compassionate care for Alzheimer’s treatment in Mumbai.

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What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that mainly involves memory, thinking, behavior, and the capacity to perform daily activities. It is not a normal aspect of aging but a brain disorder due to abnormal changes in the brain. These changes damage cognitive functions over time and may impact all areas of an individual’s personality and life. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, reputed as one of the best Alzheimer’s hospitals in Mumbai, helps provide multidisciplinary care for this condition.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Symptoms typically develop slowly and worsen over time. Early signs may include:

• Difficulty remembering names, places, or conversations
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble organizing thoughts or following plans
• Withdrawal from social or work activities
• Changes in mood, personality, or behavior

As the disease progresses, individuals may require help with daily activities such as dressing, eating, or using the restroom. Reach out to the best doctor for Alzheimer’s treatment in Mumbai at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for further assistance.

Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

The disease typically progresses through the following stages:

• Preclinical Stage
  No visible symptoms, but brain changes are underway
• Mild/Early Stage
  Minor memory loss and confusion
• Moderate Stage
  Greater cognitive decline, personality changes, and assistance required
• Severe/Late Stage
  Complete dependence on caregivers, loss of verbal communication, and physical decline

Understanding these stages helps families and physicians plan care more effectively.

How Alzheimer’s Affects the Brain

Alzheimer’s disease gets in the way of the brain’s structure in very precise ways. Here’s an explanation of how various components of the brain are affected:

Limbic System

An area that gets affected first, it is involved in memory and emotion. Damage to this area could result in:

• Forgetting where things are
• Paranoia or suspicion
• Mood disturbances like anxiety or depression

Hippocampus and Temporal Lobes

These areas deal with short-term memory and learning. When these get compromised, patients suffer from:

• Trouble remembering recent events
• Frustration in identifying familiar people or locations
• Loss of verbal memory and vocabulary

Frontal Lobe

Decision-making, planning, and social behavior are its functions. Damage is likely to result in:

• Apathy or lack of interest in things
• Social withdrawal
• Repetitive actions

Parietal Lobes

Spatial orientation and sequencing activities are their functions. Damage at this site may result in:

• Problem with language and mathematics
• Growing easily lost
• Problems with executing hard activities such as driving or managing finance

Occipital Lobe

Despite not being directly affected, areas around visual processing can be impaired, leading to:

• Loss of depth perception
• Inability to interpret visual cues

These brain structural changes account for why Alzheimer’s manifests as a blend of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physical deficits.

Alzheimer’s Treatment at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

There is no treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, but medication and other treatments can control symptoms and enhance quality of life. If you or someone you know experiences any of the warning signs, get a medical checkup right away. Early diagnosis enables improved management of symptoms, access to therapies, and care planning for the future.

Our Centre for Neurosciences has a specialist Alzheimer’s and Memory Clinic for people with neurological problems. We offer a comprehensive screening and care program for Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders, including neurology consultation, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. Our team also provides family counseling services to support patients and their loved ones with long-term home care.

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t just affect memory—it impacts the entire essence of a person. Reach out to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, the best hospital for Alzheimer’s disease in India for long-term care that can make a difference.

Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss globally. With changing lifestyles where visual needs are high, cataracts can interfere with both professional and personal life. Cataract is known as the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in India, particularly among those aged 50 and older. Understanding when cataract surgery is necessary—and when it’s best to proceed—can help you maintain an active and independent lifestyle.

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What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris. Over time or because of other medical factors, this transparent lens becomes cloudy, cutting down the light reaching the retina. It could result in blurred vision, contrast sensitivity, and more glare to cause extensive loss of vision over the course of time.

Signs of Cataract

Cataracts develop slowly, and early stages may go unnoticed. However, key symptoms to watch for include:

• Halos around lights
• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Increased glare, especially at night
• Fading of colours, or a yellowish tinge
• Difficulty with reading, driving, or recognizing faces
• Frequent changes in eyeglass prescription

When these symptoms begin to interfere with daily life, it is time to consider your options.

Health Risks of Delay

Delaying necessary cataract surgery can result in more than just poor vision. As cataracts advance:

• There is greater risk for falls and injury, particularly in older people
• Severe loss of vision can hinder independence
• In some conditions like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy, postponing surgery can cause other eye illnesses to become worse
• Night driving can be hazardous with glare and halos

Although temporary solutions such as more powerful glasses or improved lighting might be helpful at first, these are not permanent solutions. Delaying surgery is not advisable.

What is the Right Time for Cataract Surgery?

There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for cataract surgery. The decision should be personalised, based on your lifestyle and how much the cataract affects your vision.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I struggling with work tasks, reading, driving, or household chores?
• Do I feel unsafe or uncomfortable walking outdoors or driving at night?
• Have I stopped enjoying hobbies like reading, sports, or socializing due to poor vision?

The best person to make this decision for you is an experienced eye specialist. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, reputed as one of the best eye hospitals in Mumbai for cataract surgery offers advanced techniques with excellent outcomes. In certain cases, when patients have glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy—early surgery may be recommended even before cataracts reach an advanced stage.

Considerations Before a Cataract Surgery

If you are preparing for cataract surgery in India, here are some factors to consider:

• General health
  Your eye specialist will check for co-existing health issues (such as diabetes or high blood pressure) prior to surgery.
• Lens selection
  There are a number of intraocular lens (IOL) varieties available, including monofocal, multifocal, and toric lenses. Having the correct IOL is important to maximize visual results.
• Post-operative recovery
  Although contemporary cataract surgery is rapid—typically lasting 10-15 minutes—adhering to post-surgery instructions ensures easy recovery.
• Lifestyle goals
  If freedom from glasses or enhanced nighttime driving vision is your goal, advise your surgeon of these desires.

Healing is usually brief, with most patients seeing clearly in a few weeks. Adhering to medication, protective eyewear, and activity limitations under the recommendation of your doctor can lead to optimal outcomes.

Cataract Surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital

Is cataract affecting your daily life? Then it may be time to seek the best doctor for cataract surgery in Mumbai and take the next step toward better vision. Discover world-class cataract care with cutting-edge techniques at our Department of Ophthalmology. Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure (95-98% success rate) and our team offers comprehensive cataract solutions using advanced technologies and techniques. These include:

• Phacoemulsification (Stitch-free Surgery):
  Minimally invasive, quick recovery with state-of-the-art Centurion Vision System.
• Lens Star & Specular Microscopy:
  For precise IOL (Intraocular Lens) calculation and corneal health check.
• Monofocal IOL:
  Corrects distance vision; reading glasses usually needed.
• Monofocal Aspheric IOL:
  Enhanced contrast, sharper vision, improved night vision.
• Toric IOL:
  Corrects astigmatism (cylindrical number).
• Multifocal IOL (Restore/Tecnis):
  Reduces dependence on glasses for both distance and near vision.
• EDOF Symfony IOL:
  Extended range of clear vision with minimal glare or halos.
• Prelex (Presbyopic Lens Exchange):
  Removes need for both distance and reading glasses in patients over 45.
• Implantable Contact Lenses (ICL):
  For high myopia/hyperopia; provides excellent vision correction.

Reach out to highly experienced eye specialists and eye surgeons at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for the best cataract surgery in Mumbai. Delaying surgery can lead to unnecessary risks, while a well-timed procedure provides not just clear vision but renewed independence. Experience personalized care and exceptional cataract outcomes with us.