10 Frequently Asked Questions About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and is the most common form of dementia .

阿尔茨海默氏症是一种大脑疾病，会慢慢破坏记忆和思维能力，是最常见的痴呆症。

In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear later in life.

对于大多数患有阿尔茨海默病的人来说，症状首先出现在晚年。

People with Alzheimer’s gradually lose the ability to perform the simplest tasks, such as feeding themselves and bathing.

患有阿尔茨海默氏症的人逐渐失去执行最简单任务的能力，例如自己吃饭和洗澡。

Estimates suggest that more than 6 million Americans may have Alzheimer’s.

据估计，超过 600 万美国人可能患有阿尔茨海默病。

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What is the difference between forgetfulness and Alzheimer's?

健忘和阿尔茨海默病有什么区别？

Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging, but Alzheimer’s and related dementias are not.

健忘可能是衰老的正常现象，但阿尔茨海默氏症和相关痴呆症则不然。

Unlike typical forgetfulness, serious memory problems, such as those that occur with Alzheimer’s, make it hard to do everyday tasks.

与典型的健忘不同，严重的记忆问题（例如阿尔茨海默氏症引起的记忆问题）使人难以完成日常任务。

These tasks can include driving, cooking, and shopping.

这些任务可以包括驾驶、烹饪和购物。

A person with Alzheimer’s may not remember important places, dates, events, or even their family as the disease gets worse.

随着病情恶化，阿尔茨海默病患者可能不记得重要的地点、日期、事件，甚至他们的家人。

If you are worried about your forgetfulness, talk with a health care provider.

如果您担心自己健忘，请咨询医疗保健提供者。

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What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's?

阿尔茨海默氏症有哪些症状？

While the symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary, memory problems are typically one of the first signs of cognitive impairment related to the disease.

虽然阿尔茨海默氏症的症状各不相同，但记忆问题通常是与该疾病相关的认知障碍的最初迹象之一。

Many people also notice a decline in other cognitive skills.

许多人还注意到其他认知技能的下降。

They may have trouble finding words, issues with telling where objects are in space or how far apart they are, or problems with reasoning or judgment.

他们可能很难找到词语，无法分辨物体在空间中的位置或距离有多远，或者推理或判断方面存在问题。

These can be early signs of the disease.

这些可能是疾病的早期迹象。

Scientists are studying biomarkers , which are biological signs of disease found in the body, to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s in the brain.

科学家们正在研究生物标志物，即体内发现的疾病的生物标志，以检测大脑中阿尔茨海默病的早期迹象。

However, more research is needed before doctors can use these techniques to broadly and routinely tell if a person has the disease.

然而，在医生能够使用这些技术来广泛、常规地判断一个人是否患有这种疾病之前，还需要进行更多的研究。

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, people may experience memory loss and have more difficulty thinking.

在阿尔茨海默氏症的早期阶段，人们可能会出现记忆丧失和思维困难的情况。

Related problems can include wandering and getting lost, trouble handling money and paying bills , repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, and personality and behavior changes .

相关问题可能包括徘徊和迷路、处理金钱和支付账单时遇到困难、重复问题、需要更长的时间才能完成正常的日常任务以及性格和行为的改变。

As the disease worsens, people may have difficulties with language, reasoning, thought, and sensory processing, such as hearing and smelling.

随着疾病恶化，人们可能会出现语言、推理、思维和感觉处理（例如听力和嗅觉）方面的困难。

They might not recognize their family and friends or be able to learn new things.

他们可能认不出自己的家人和朋友，或者无法学习新事物。

In the final stages of Alzheimer’s, people cannot communicate and are completely dependent on others for care.

在阿尔茨海默氏症的最后阶段，人们无法沟通，完全依赖他人的护理。

Near the end of life , the person may be in bed most or all of the time as the body shuts down.

在生命即将结束时，随着身体机能的停止，人可能大部分时间或全部时间都躺在床上。

Researchers don’t fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s in most people.

研究人员并不完全了解导致大多数人患阿尔茨海默病的原因。

Studies show that age-related changes in the brain along with genetic, health, and lifestyle factors may contribute to a person’s risk.

研究表明，与年龄相关的大脑变化以及遗传、健康和生活方式因素可能会增加一个人的风险。

In recent years, scientists have made significant progress in understanding Alzheimer’s, and the momentum continues to grow.

近年来，科学家在了解阿尔茨海默氏症方面取得了重大进展，并且势头持续增长。

The importance of any one of these factors in increasing or decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s may differ from person to person.

这些因素中的任何一个对于增加或减少患阿尔茨海默病的风险的重要性可能因人而异。

Learn more about risk factors for Alzheimer’s .

了解有关阿尔茨海默病风险因素的更多信息。

People with a parent or sibling diagnosed with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease.

父母或兄弟姐妹被诊断患有阿尔茨海默氏症的人更有可能患上这种疾病。

This is because a family may share aspects of their genetics, environment, and lifestyle that play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s.

这是因为一个家庭可能有共同的遗传、环境和生活方式，这些因素在阿尔茨海默病的发展中发挥了作用。

It’s important to note that not everyone with a history of Alzheimer’s in their family will develop the disease.

值得注意的是，并非所有有阿尔茨海默病家族史的人都会患上这种疾病。

Further, not everyone who has Alzheimer’s will have a family history of the disease.

此外，并非所有患有阿尔茨海默氏症的人都有该病的家族史。

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How can I help with Alzheimer's research?

我如何帮助阿尔茨海默氏症研究？

People with and without Alzheimer’s may be able to take part in clinical research.

患有和未患有阿尔茨海默氏症的人都可以参加临床研究。

By joining a clinical trial or study, you may be able to help scientists learn how to prevent, treat, or cure the disease.

通过参加临床试验或研究，您也许能够帮助科学家了解如何预防、治疗或治愈这种疾病。

To learn more about Alzheimer’s clinical trials and studies:

要了解有关阿尔茨海默病临床试验和研究的更多信息：

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are medications available to treat the disease .

虽然阿尔茨海默氏症无法治愈，但有药物可以治疗这种疾病。

Medications may help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s or potentially slow down the progression of the disease.

药物可能有助于控制阿尔茨海默氏症的症状或可能减缓疾病的进展。

Although there is no single medication or other intervention that will be successful for everyone, scientists continue to study promising new approaches.

尽管没有一种药物或其他干预措施对每个人都有效，但科学家们仍在继续研究有希望的新方法。

It’s important to talk with a doctor about what treatment will be most effective in your situation.

与医生讨论哪种治疗方法对您的情况最有效很重要。

Because Alzheimer’s is so devastating, some people may be tempted to try unproven “cures.” Check with your doctor before taking any treatment or supplement that promises to prevent or cure Alzheimer’s.

由于阿尔茨海默病的破坏性如此之大，有些人可能会忍不住尝试未经证实的“治疗方法”。在服用任何有望预防或治愈阿尔茨海默病的治疗或补充剂之前，请先咨询您的医生。

These “treatments” might be unsafe, a waste of money, or both.

这些“治疗”可能不安全、浪费金钱，或者两者兼而有之。

They might even interfere with prescribed medical treatments.

它们甚至可能干扰规定的医疗。

Learn more about the safety and side effects of specific supplements , and find tips to help determine what health information is reliable .

了解有关特定补充剂的安全性和副作用的更多信息，并找到有助于确定哪些健康信息可靠的提示。

While nothing has yet been proven to prevent Alzheimer’s, researchers are studying promising strategies and learning more about what might — and might not — work.

虽然目前还没有任何证据证明可以预防阿尔茨海默病，但研究人员正在研究有希望的策略，并更多地了解哪些可能有效，哪些可能无效。

Researchers are exploring how activities such as managing high blood pressure , staying physically active , and keeping your mind engaged may help prevent or delay cognitive decline and dementia.

研究人员正在探索控制高血压、保持身体活跃和保持注意力集中等活动如何有助于预防或延缓认知能力下降和痴呆症。

Researchers are also exploring if certain foods and diets , diabetes management , sleep quality , and hearing restorative devices (such as hearing aids) might play a role in preventing Alzheimer’s.

研究人员还在探索某些食物和饮食、糖尿病管理、睡眠质量和听力恢复设备（如助听器）是否可能在预防阿尔茨海默病方面发挥作用。

Learn more about what we know about preventing Alzheimer’s .

详细了解我们对预防阿尔茨海默病的了解。

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Where can I find support if I take care of a person with Alzheimer's?

如果我照顾阿尔茨海默病患者，我可以在哪里获得支持？

Millions of people living in the United States take care of a family member or friend with Alzheimer’s.

生活在美国的数百万人需要照顾患有阿尔茨海默病的家人或朋友。

While caregiving can be rewarding and meaningful, it can also be challenging.

虽然护理可能是有益且有意义的，但也可能具有挑战性。

There are many ways to help care for a person with Alzheimer’s.

有很多方法可以帮助照顾阿尔茨海默氏症患者。

Respite care may be helpful in providing short-term relief for caregivers for hours, days, or weeks at a time, depending on their needs.

暂托护理可能有助于为护理人员提供数小时、数天或数周的短期缓解，具体取决于他们的需要。

For some people with Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages of the disease, in-home services may be helpful.

对于一些患有阿尔茨海默氏症的人来说，尤其是在疾病的早期阶段，家庭服务可能会有所帮助。

For people in the more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, long-term care may be an option to consider.

对于处于阿尔茨海默氏症晚期的人来说，长期护理可能是一个可以考虑的选择。

For more information on caregiver support, see Alzheimer’s caregiving .

有关护理人员支持的更多信息，请参阅阿尔茨海默病护理。

NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center 800-438-4380 adear@nia.nih.gov www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers The NIA ADEAR Center offers information and publications for download (PDF) about Alzheimer’s and related dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals.

NIA 阿尔茨海默氏症及相关痴呆症教育和转诊 (ADEAR) 中心 800-438-4380 adear@nia.nih.gov www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers NIA ADEAR 中心为家庭、护理人员和健康专业人员提供有关阿尔茨海默氏症及相关痴呆症的信息和出版物供下载 (PDF)。

ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.

ADEAR 中心工作人员回答电话、电子邮件和书面请求，并转介当地和国家资源。

Alzheimers.gov www.alzheimers.gov Explore the Alzheimers.gov website for information and resources on Alzheimer’s and related dementias from across the federal government.

Alzheimers.gov www.alzheimers.gov 浏览Alzheimers.gov 网站，获取来自联邦政府的有关阿尔茨海默病和相关痴呆症的信息和资源。

Eldercare Locator 800-677-1116 eldercarelocator@USAging.org https://eldercare.acl.gov

老年护理定位器 800-677-1116 Eldercarelocator@USAging.org https://eldercare.acl.gov

Alzheimer's Association 800-272-3900 866-403-3073 (TTY) info@alz.org www.alz.org

阿尔茨海默病协会 800-272-3900 866-403-3073 (TTY) info@alz.org www.alz.org

Alzheimer's Foundation of America 866-232-8484 info@alzfdn.org https://alzfdn.org

美国阿尔茨海默病基金会 866-232-8484 info@alzfdn.org https://alzfdn.org

This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA).

本内容由 NIH 国家老龄化研究所 (NIA) 提供。

NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.

NIA 科学家和其他专家审查此内容以确保其准确且最新。