Alzheimer's Disease: Common Questions Patients Ask
Q. My elderly parent has started forgetting things. Is it normal ageing or Alzheimer's disease?
Occasional forgetfulness can occur with ageing. However, repeatedly forgetting recent conversations, misplacing objects frequently, getting lost in familiar places, difficulty handling finances or medications, and noticeable personality or behaviour changes are not considered normal ageing and should be medically evaluated.
Q. What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disorder and the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60–70% of dementia cases worldwide. It gradually damages brain cells responsible for memory, thinking, language, and decision-making.
Q. How common is Alzheimer's disease?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, and nearly 10 million new cases occur every year. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia. In India, the number of people living with dementia is expected to rise significantly as life expectancy increases.
Q. Is there a cure?
Currently, there is no complete cure, but this does not mean nothing can be done. Early diagnosis allows treatment with medications, cognitive rehabilitation, lifestyle modifications, and caregiver support, which can help slow symptom progression and maintain independence for longer.
Q. When should I consult a specialist?
Seek medical evaluation if memory loss begins to interfere with daily life, work, social interactions, or safety. Early assessment also helps rule out other treatable causes of memory problems such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, depression, stroke, brain tumours, or normal pressure hydrocephalus.
As a Consultant Neurosurgeon, Dr. Bhushan Meshram evaluates patients with memory loss and neurological disorders and guides them regarding appropriate investigations and treatment.
Serving patients from Lalbaug, Byculla, Chinchpokli, Curry Road, Peddar Road, Worli, Mumbai Central, Dadar, Parel, Lower Parel, and South Mumbai, with comprehensive evaluation for Alzheimer's disease, dementia, memory loss, cognitive decline, and neurological disorders.
References
• World Health Organization. *Dementia Fact Sheet*. [https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia)
• Alzheimer's Association. *2025 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures*. [https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures](https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures)
• National Institute on Aging (NIH). *What Is Alzheimer's Disease?* [https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-alzheimers-disease)
