These Risk Factors Can Trigger a Rapid Progression of Alzheimer's Disease

A person's memory and thinking skills are what enables them to overcome through life's most simple and difficult tasks, and they are both a necessity for how one behaves. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that slowly destroys the memory, thinking skills, and behavior of one individual. However, there are times that Alzheimer’s disease speeds up its progression, which can easily put someone's life more at risk. The progression varies differently, depending on the genetic makeup of the person, environmental aspects, and other conditions that may contribute to the rapid progression.

The following are risk factors that can prompt a rapid increase in Alzheimer’s symptoms:                                                                                                                          

Genetics

According to a study conducted by Christian Schmidt, MD and his team, one of the factors that accelerate deterioration of memory is genetics. In fact, in most studies, genetic predictors have increased hugely among the risk factors of fast deterioration. According to a study by Kelly Bethune, there isn’t any trace of genetic inheritance patterns in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. However, in their research, a gene called ApoE or Apolipoprotein, which is responsible for the protein that carries cholesterol in the bloodstream, has a connection to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. ApoE has many different forms, and they discovered that the ApoE4 form increased the chances of developing  Alzheimer's disease, but ApoE2’s form protects the nerves from the disease.

Another reason for genetics to contribute to the deterioration of memory is a rare form of Alzheimer's called Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, which is caused by a mutation on chromosomes 1, 14 and 21. If a chromosome mutation is carried on, the person will be exposed to develop the disease by 50 percent.

Lifestyle Factors

Several lifestyle factors can affect the development of Alzheimer's disease in a person’s health. People who practice safety in their day-to-day activities are at an advantage of decreasing the percentage of developing the disease. People with serious injuries, specifically pertaining to head injuries, have a high risk of developing Alzheimer's in the future. Exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle also reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, like avoiding the presence of tobacco and alcohol in the system and exercising intellectually as protection from the development of this disease.

Infections

When developing Alzheimer’s disease, and at the same time having infections in the system, it can also trigger the acceleration of this disease. Infections such as pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and sinus infection can aggravate the symptoms. Infections weaken the immune system, making it prone to more diseases.

Fatigue

Lack of sleep and fatigue can provoke the symptoms of the Alzheimer's because the body needs enough rest to avoid any kind of sickness. Furthermore, when a person gets sick while showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, it can lead to a fast progression.