Experts at a press briefing said the incidence of Alzheimer is increasing alarmingly in elderly people in the country with around 2 million Pakistanis suffering from the preventable condition and their numbers are mounting.
They were addressing a press briefing held to mark the World Alzheimer`s Day at a hotel in Karachi. Experts include Prof. Ejaz Vohara, Prof. Arif Herekar, Prof. Muhammad Wasay, President, Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation [NARF] and Dr. Yahya Amir of Lyari General Hospital.
Prof. Muhammad Wasay informed that Alzheimer is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior changes and the disease is rapidly spreading globally. Every three seconds a person falls prey to it. 7% of people aging 65 or more were affected by Alzheimer`s while up to 15 % of those aged 75 or more were likely to be affected by it. If the disease is not timely treated, it becomes incurable.
He also shared an estimate agreed upon by the experts globally that by 2050 people affected with the disease would be over 50 million worldwide and would upset unlimited numbers of families. The average age in Pakistan is increasing, thus increasing the risk of the diseases linked with aging. Alzheimer`s is much common among the people who are 65 or older. Though no treatment of Alzheimer`s was available but its incidence could be controlled through reme-dial measures.
Prof. Ejaz Vohara and Dr. Yahya Amir said that due to lack of awareness people did not understand its symptoms and associate it with the old age. They called for creating awareness vis-à-vis the ailment and its consequences. Lack of physical and mental activities is among a few major reasons leading to this disease. Awareness among the general physicians about Alzheimer`s was crucial as they treated such patients in early stages.
Prof. Arif Herekar stressed the need for awareness among general public and doctors alike given most doctors were still not adequately aware about the disease and could improve diagnosis and treatment if they were better informed.
