TV star Fiona Phillips has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after losing family members to the illness
TV star Fiona Phillips has revealed that she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease - the illness that many of her family members, including her parents, also suffered with. The 62-year-old, who actually received the diagnosis 18 months prior, has opened up about the "heartbreaking" news, explaining that she first started to experience brain fog and anxiety, all of which she initially put down to menopause.
However, after finally sharing the news with the public, Fiona has announced that she's currently taking part in a clinical drug trial that scientists hope could revolutionise the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Which right now, is incurable.
The presenter is also looking to put a stop to the stigma surrounding the disease, and is hoping to "help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."
The new drug, Miridesap, is being trialled by the University College Hospital in London and is being tested to see whether it can slow down or halt the progression of the disease altogether.
As Fiona has so bravely spoken out about the disease, including about how her mum, dad, grandparents and uncle all suffered from it, let's take a look further into the illness...
What are the causes?
According to the NHS, the disease is thought to be caused by a build-up of abnormal proteins in and around the brain cells. One of these proteins is called amyloid, which can form plaques around the brain cells. A second protein - tau - is also thought to be involved, and can form tangles amongst the brain cells.
What are the symptoms?
The Alzheimer's Society details memory problems as the first noticeable sign, from forgetting about recent conversations to becoming disorganised to getting lost in familiar places.
They also detail language and communication difficulties, changes in thinking and reasoning abilities, plus mood changes as signs of the disease.
Who is more likely to be affected?
As per the NHS website, the actual triggers of Alzheimer's disease are still unknown. But, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing the illness, such as lifestyle choices and conditions associated with cardiovascular disease.
Age is also another factor, and is often labelled as the most significant one. Apparently, a person's risk of developing the condition doubles every five years after turning 65. While the risk obviously increases with age, around 1 in 20 people who suffer from the illness are under 65.
A third factor is family history - something that Fiona has already touched on.
The NHS says that the "genes you inherit from your parents can contribute to your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease." However, they stress that the increase in risk is small.
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