Full Detailed Information on Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), also known simply as Alzheimer’s, is a neurodegenerative disease that, in its most common form, is found in people over age 65. Approximately 24 million people worldwide have dementia of which the majority (~60%) is due to Alzheimer’s.
Clinical signs of Alzheimer’s disease are characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration, together with declining activities of daily living and by neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. It is the most common type of dementia. Plaques which contain misfolded peptides called amyloid beta (Aβ) are formed in the brain many years before the clinical signs of Alzheimer’s are observed. More than 4 million Americans today are affected with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to escalate to approximately 12 million within the next 30 years. This serious disease is plaguing America in such a way that just about every individual has had an experience with someone with Alzheimer’s in one way or another. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that affects the mind, and more specifically your memory. 1 in 8 individuals over the age of 65 will develop it.
Risk Factors:
We currently don’t know what exactly causes Alzheimer’s, and it remains a disease that is diagnosed by eliminating other possibilities. However, experts have found a number of factors that reoccur in Alzheimer’s patients. It is believed that a combination of the following factors can cause a person to be predisposed to develop Alzheimer’s.
1. Family history of the disease – especially a parent or sibling.
2. Heart-disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.
3. Previous head injury
4. Environmental toxins
5. Advancing age
6. Stress- high levels of anxiety
What Are the Symptoms of AD?
AD begins slowly. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness, which can be confused with age-related memory change. Most people with mild forgetfulness do not have AD. In the early stage of AD, people may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things. They may not be able to solve simple math problems. Such difficulties may be a bother, but usually they are not serious enough to cause alarm.
However, as the disease goes on, symptoms are more easily noticed and become serious enough to cause people with AD or their family members to seek medical help. Forgetfulness begins to interfere with daily activities.
Main Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease:
Experts have identified a number of stages to help define and group people suffering from this devastating and difficult disease. With no cure the best thing you can do is be aware of what this disease may bring in the future and use this knowledge to help plan care for your loved one.
The following are the Three Main Stages:
1. Early-State – In the early stage, the individual will suffer memory loss and possibly some other cognitive difficulties, however, they can continue to function independently.
2. Mid-Stage – In the mid-stage, the disease has progressed past basic memory troubles and the individual’s mental abilities have continued to decline. They start to suffer personality changes and physical problems, and in turn become more dependent on caregivers.
3. Late-Stage – The late-stage is the most severe. Individuals will suffer complete deterioration of the personality and loss of control over bodily functions. They will become totally dependent on caregivers for even basic daily needs.
There is no set time as to when a person will progress from one stage to the other. One individual may move quickly from the early-stage to the mid-stage, while another may stay in the early-stage for several years. Every person is different. Here is a basic break down of the types of symptoms and their severity for each stage:
How is the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease made?
As of June 2007, there is no specific “blood test” or imaging test that is used for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed when: 1) a person has sufficient cognitive decline to meet criteria for dementia; 2) the clinical course is consistent with that of Alzheimer’s disease; 3) no other brain diseases or other processes are better explanations for the dementia.
Treatment
Currently, there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs to improve symptoms that often accompany Alzheimer’s, including sleeplessness, wandering, anxiety, agitation and depression. But only two varieties of medications have been proved to slow the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s.
What can I do to help myself?
The first thing is not to worry unnecessarily. A problem with forgetfulness doesn’t mean that you have dementia.
If you find yourself forgetting certain things, you could try to give yourself memory prompts. If (for instance) you find that you forget to buy food, leave notes in your kitchen cupboards near the back, reminding you to go to the shops. So when you come across the notes, keep them on you until you have bought more food.
This may seem cumbersome, but it’s only an extension of the ‘to do’ lists that people make in everyday life.
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Facts About Alzheimer’s Diseases
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease. It is found in people over age 65. AD is also considered a tauopathy due to abnormal aggregation of the tau protein, a microtubule-associated protein expressed in neurons that normally acts to stabilize microtubules in the cell cytoskeleton. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a slowly progressive disease of the brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and eventually by disturbances in reasoning, planning, language, and perception. Alzheimer’s disease attacks the brain; it is not a normal part of aging. People with AD have a gradual memory loss and difficulties with language and emotions. The progressive loss of intellectual abilities is termed dementia. Several genetic factors have been identified that play a role with genes that are associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). As the disease advances, the person may need help in all aspects of life: bathing, eating, and using the restroom. About 5-6% of the US population has AD or a related dementia.
Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene on chromosome 19. This is most interesting because it is both negative and positive. The e4-type is linked to significantly higher risk for AD, the e2-type is linked to significant protection from AD symptoms. Memory loss, especially of recent events and newly acquired information, is perhaps the most noticeable trait of AD. Alzheimer’s disease ranks fourth in the cause of death among adults. About 100,000 people die per year as a result of AD. It is estimated that by 2050, 14 million people in the US will suffer from AD. There are now more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s. Every 72 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s. Some changes in memory are a normal consequence of aging, but when changes in memory, spatial navigation, and concentration are affecting activities of daily living, then you may be experiencing some type of dementia. AD is just one form of dementia and dementia is just one reason for changes in memory.
There are treatments that can help with memory impairment and improve mental functioning and to help stabilize symptoms. Donepezil also appears to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s for about a year in people who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI). AChE-inhibitors reduce the rate at which acetylcholine (ACh) is broken down and hence increase the concentration of ACh in the brain. Proposed alternative treatments for Alzheimer’s include a range of herbal compounds and dietary supplements. Cognitive and behavioral interventions and rehabilitation strategies may be used as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment. Vitamin E (an antioxidant) and aspirin (an anti-inflammatory) are being considered as treatments. Risk factors are characteristics of the person, their lifestyle and environment that contribute to the likelihood of getting a disease.
Alzheimer’s Diseases Treatment Tips
1. Donepezil also appears to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s for about a year in people who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
2. AChE-inhibitors reduce the rate at which acetylcholine (ACh) is broken down and hence increase the concentration of ACh in the brain.
3. Cognitive and behavioral interventions and rehabilitation strategies may be used as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment.
4. Vitamin E (an antioxidant) and aspirin (an anti-inflammatory) are being considered as treatments.
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Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and skin disorders.
Research Suggests Ways to Slow Alzheimer’s
A new study released at the International Conference on Prevention of Dementia on June 11th suggests that treating other health factors – like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can help slow the onset and severity of dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
This research further links heart and brain health. Cardiovascular problems like heart attacks or stroke may also increase the onset of dementia. Taking positive actions, like treating high blood pressure, exercising, and changing diet can all help reduce dementia.
Researchers at the Memory Center in Lille, France, tracked 891 dementia patients over four years. Those who received treatment for their diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol did better on thinking and memory tests.. Yan Deschaintre, M.D co-author of the study explains that, “Most of the social and financial burden caused by Alzheimer’s and dementia is generated by the later, more severe stages of the disease… by slowing dementia progression, treatment of vascular risk factors may delay the severe stages and have a significant impact on reducing the burden of dementia.”
Approximately 5 million Americans and their families are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and the numbers are expected to swell as baby boomers age. Understanding these connections among related health concerns and dementia can have an impact on the way we treat Alzheimer’s disease.
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Alzheimer’s Disease Information: When Someone You Love Has Been Diagnosed
Has someone you love recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? If so, you probably have many questions about the disease and are concerned about getting the best Alzheimer’s disease information available.
In the early course of Alzheimer’s your affected family member or loved one may have only mild impairment of their thought processes which may manifest as problems with short term memory and lapses in judgement. You may notice subtle changes in their general personality and mood on a daily basis with occasional periods of agitation or withdrawal. At first these symptoms may be mild but over time they will likely become more pronounced as the disease progresses. Up-to-date Alzheimer’s disease information is critical early in the course of the illness in order to make the right decisions regarding long term care of your loved one.
Alzheimer’s disease may progress at a variable rate depending on the individual. An affected person may have only mild symptoms and maintain a fairly normal lifestyle for many years. Others will progress rapidly, requiring constant monitoring and around the clock care early on. It’s important that your affected loved one undergo a thorough physical exam, mental status exam, and functional status evaluation to determine their level of functioning. At this point, your doctor will be able to give you more in depth Alzheimer’s disease information relating to long term prognosis.
Once the diagnosis is made, your doctor may start your loved one on one of a several medications that have been shown to slow down progression of the disease by acting on certain brain biochemicals. While these medications may delay progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms, they’re not a cure. Thus, it will be important to plan for the long term welfare of the patient.To do this, your doctor may recommend additional specialists such as a psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor along with consultation with a neurologist to help you get the best care for your family member. They can make recommendations as to what level of care the patient will need.
Other resources for Alzheimer’s information relating to care of your loved one include Alzheimer’s support groups where you can interact with other family members dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, your local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as the Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center. These groups can provide you with the support you need to get through the challenges of caring for an Alzheimer’s patient.
By having the best Alzheimer’s disease information resources available to you, you’ll be able to make the appropriate decisions necessary to provide for the long term well care of your loved one.
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The author has put together a medical site that will explain in plain english various medical problems.
Mind-Robbing Alzheimer
What is Alzheimer?
The gray-haired old lady cannot wait to leave the building to search for her dad. Unless watched, she will walk the streets in an effort to locate her father, who died 30 years ago. Yes, she is afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition so debilitating, it robs a patient not only of memory, sight and mobility, but even personality.
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical illness that causes changes in the brain. It is a form of dementia. Dementia affects a person’s memory, mood, and behavior.
Alzheimer’s disease usually affects people over 65. A person with this disease has trouble remembering, speaking, learning, making judgments, and planning. Some people feel restless and moody. It may take many years for Alzheimer’s disease to get worse.
People often do become more forgetful as they grow older. However, Alzheimer’s disease causes more than just memory loss. Its symptoms can impact every part of a person’s life. Alzheimer’s disease leads to changes in behavior, personality, and abilities. Over time, people with the disease have trouble doing common daily activities, such as bathing or getting dressed.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be frustrating for a person with the disease. Dealing with these symptoms can also be difficult for family members of the suffering patient. It may help to understand that these changes are no one’s fault. They are part of the disease.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and no way to slow the progression of the disease. For some people in the early or middle stages of the disease, certain medications may alleviate some cognitive symptoms.
In addition, some medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression. These treatments are aimed at making the patient more comfortable.
However, scientists have identified the region of the brain responsible for long-term memory, bringing closer the development of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
American researchers pinpointed a part of the brain – the anterior cingulate – that controls the storage and retrieval of distant recollections. The breakthrough opens up a new field of research into ways to treat diseases, like Alzheimer’s that affect the memory.
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For more information, visit: http://www.AlzheimersInfoHelp.com