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Why Alzheimer’s in India is a growing concern

Alzheimer’s in India is a growing concern is becoming an increasingly pressing health concern, mirroring global trends in aging populations and dementia-related disorders. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is the biological process that begins with the appearance of a buildup of proteins in the form of plaques and tangles in the brain. This causes brain cells to die over time and the brain to shrink.” The health website further states that “About 6.9 million people in the United States age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease. Among them, more than 70% are age 75 and older. Of the more than 55 million people in the world with dementia, 60% to 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease.” As India’s elderly population continues to grow, the incidence of Alzheimer’s in India is expected to rise sharply, underscoring the urgent need for awareness, early diagnosis, and specialized care.

Back home in India, The estimated dementia prevalence for adults ages 60+ is 7.4%, and about 8.8 million Indians older than 60 years live with dementia. Dementia is more prevalent among females than males and in rural than urban areas says the Alzheimer’s Association.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) reveals more interesting data. The incidence rates appear to be much higher as comparable with that reported from China, and marginally lower than that reported from the Western world with a significant increase in the cases over the last decade.

While the exact reason leading to the increase in Alzheimer’s may not be fully understood, research has fleshed out certain risk factors that may be putting people at a higher risk of the disease.

Risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease

• Age- India has over 140 million existing elderly people and the number is set to rise with enhanced life expectancy in the coming decades due to improvements in the healthcare field. Since Alzheimer’s is prevalent in the age group of 65 years and above, age seems to be playing a huge factor in the occurrence of the disease.
• Genetics- People with family members who have Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease indicated by studies. This shows that genetics does seem to play a role and researchers have also identified a particular risk gene that plays a role. 
• Cognitive impairment- Individuals with mild cognitive impairments like reduced thinking abilities, memory problems, etc have been shown to increase the risk of of developing Alzheimer’s. However, it is important to note that this happens only if the cognitive impairment is progressive.
• Heart diseases- Studies show that brain health is deeply connected to heart health. The brain receives oxygen and other elements like nutrients to work properly through the blood and the heart is responsible for sending that blood to the brain. Therefore if the heart is not functioning properly or if the blood vessels are clogged the supply to the brain is affected which may cause disruptions in the working of the brain and lead to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Other conditions like Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and high levels of cholesterol that lead to heart ailments can be indirect risk factors.

• Lifestyle- The increase in the incidence of heart diseases and the conditions that lead to cardiovascular problems point to loopholes in lifestyle changes that include sleeping and eating habits, lack of exercise, and heightened stress levels. ( hyperlink mind over matter blog here) These play a significant role in disturbing the overall health and well-being balance and increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Formal education- Certain specific studies have revealed that the more the person receives years of formal education, the more it increases the connections between neurons which allows the brain to use alternative routes of neuron-to-neuron connections. These connections are useful to keep the brain functioning well especially when changes related to Alzheimer’s occur. The literacy rates in India haven’t reached the optimum numbers yet and this could be one of the risk factors of the disease. This could also explain why the number of cases in rural India is higher as compared to the urban portions of the country.

• Accidents- Motor accidents can increase the risk of dementia due to moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. People who sustain repeated injuries, especially athletes or motorists on the road who drive without safety gear are at a tremendous risk of developing Alzheimer’s. 
• Infrastructure- Although the overall quality of healthcare in the country has improved over the years, it still has a long way to go. Our country still has fewer memory and geriatric clinics and care centers dedicated to Alzheimer’s as compared to many other countries. Moreover, many health care providers lack adequate information and training regarding the disease leading to misdiagnosis or improper guidance. Continuum care centers are a common concept in the West but India is yet to fully open its arms to these centers that have trained and skilled caregivers and other healthcare professionals to help manage people with Alzheimer’s better.
• Lack of awareness- Due to a lack of education and awareness and a kind of social conditioning, many people believe that memory loss and confusion are a part of the aging process. This causes most families to ignore the condition and by the time they seek medical help, the disease has progressed to an advanced stage making it difficult to manage. Another challenge is that in India 90% of the Alzheimer’s patients are attended to or cared for by their family members. This places a huge emotional, physical, and financial burden on the family and also leads to lapses in care as most family members are not trained enough to provide the right type of care to the patients.

Alzheimer’s is no longer a health concern for a few and not something that happens to ‘others’. If the proper measures aren’t taken in terms of care, lifestyle changes, safety, and awareness, this disease is on its way to becoming a major health crisis. If you or your loved one is experiencing symptoms of forgetfulness, confusion, or disorientation, there is no harm in calling a doctor and seeking medical help as soon as possible.