Does Alzheimer's disease affect lifespan?
Disease description:
I feel that my movements are becoming slower, my reactions are not as good as before, and my appetite has also worsened. It seems like I might have Alzheimer's disease. I still want to live a few more years. May I ask, does Alzheimer's disease affect life expectancy?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Alzheimer's disease, a common type of dementia, varies in its impact on life expectancy from person to person. Generally, dementia itself does not directly affect lifespan, but the progression of the disease and associated complications may shorten a patient's expected lifespan.
In patients with mild dementia, life expectancy may remain unaffected if they receive proper care. However, for those with moderate to severe dementia, significant cognitive impairment, declining quality of life, and increased susceptibility to complications such as lung infections, urinary tract infections, and bedsores may reduce life expectancy.
A patient's overall health status, age at onset, presence of comorbidities, and the quality of care and treatment received also influence life expectancy. For example, patients who are older or have comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes may have a shorter life expectancy. Appropriate care and treatment, including medication, rehabilitation, and nutritional support, can help improve quality of life and potentially extend lifespan.
