By Lawal Dahiru Mamman
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills and the ability to carry out simple tasks. It is the most common form of dementia, caused by abnormal build-up of proteins, amyloid plaques and tau tangles, that damage brain cells.
It begins with mild forgetfulness and confusion, and in later stages leaves sufferers unable to hold a conversation, recognise family members or care for themselves. While there is no cure, early diagnosis can help manage symptoms.
Every 21 September, the world marks World Alzheimer’s Day, the high point of World Alzheimer’s Month coordinated by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). The 2026 commemoration is themed, “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”
Some Facts And Figures
1. Global burden: More than 57 million people live with dementia worldwide, with nearly 10 million new cases every year.
2. Africa’s rising burden: Sub-Saharan Africa has a dementia prevalence of 2-5%, but the region will see the fastest growth globally. Estimates show a 204% increase from 2017 to 2050, with most of the growth coming from Africa.
3. Nigeria’s burden: A 2019 systematic review of 10,820 Nigerians found pooled prevalence of dementia is 4.9% among people 60 and above.
4. Number of Nigerians aged 60+ living with dementia rose from approximately 63,500 in 1995 to 318,000 in 2015 due to population ageing.
5. Alzheimer’s disease has the highest prevalence at 2.0% and accounts for about 64% of all dementia cases in Nigeria, followed by vascular dementia at 24.5% in hospital studies.
In Nigeria, data is still limited because many cases are dismissed as “normal ageing” and never diagnosed. World Health Organisation (WHO) says dementia is often hidden by stigma.
Warning Signs
According to experts, memory loss that disrupts daily life is not normal ageing hence people should look out for:
- Forgetting recent information, repeating questions
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks like cooking or paying bills
- Confusion with time, place or people
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Withdrawal from social activities, changes in mood or personality
WHO Tips For Lowering Risk
WHO says up to 45% of dementia risk is linked to 12 modifiable factors. You cannot change age or genes, but you can reduce risk with the following tips:
1. Move daily: 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing lowers blood pressure, diabetes and obesity risk.
2. Control heart health: Hypertension is the commonest comorbidity in Nigerian dementia patients at 41.6%. Check blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol regularly.
3. Stay mentally active: Read, learn a new skill, play puzzles, chess, ludo or a musical instrument. Lack of education in early life doubles risk.
4. Stay socially connected: Isolation and depression increase risk. Living with others was found protective in the Ibadan study. Join family meetings, mosque/church groups, age-grade associations.
5. Protect your senses: Treat hearing loss early. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol. Low body weight (BMI below 18.5) tripled dementia risk in Nigerian studies.
6. Sleep and safety: Get 7-8 hours of sleep, wear helmets, prevent head injuries, and reduce exposure to air pollution and smoke.
Bottom Line
Dementia is not spiritual, not witchcraft and not normal ageing. Early diagnosis matters. The earlier families seek help, the more they can do to plan care, protect dignity and slow decline.
Leave feedback about this