About Alzheimers

x-brat asked:


I am trying to deal with the fact of my mom having Alzheimers. I don’t want her to forget me but that is inevitable so I need to cope somehow. I thought I could handle it but I feel like I’m tearing apart inside. Any suggestions are welcomed.

Ella

Linda Jap asked:


What is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a silent killer.

It slowly and steadily causes the brain to deteriorate. Initially, a person with AD (Alzheimer’s disease) could experience intermittent memory lapses with other symptoms like lack of proper judgment, an inability to express themselves properly, confusing views and, sometimes, changes in their personality.

Alzheimer’s disease is very common in the twenty-first century, with more than eighteen million affected people all over the world. Alzheimer’s disease destroys neurons and affects neurotransmitters of your nervous system. This harms normal functioning of the brain. Still, the exact cause for Alzheimer’s disease is unknown and there is no cure for it at this writing. It sounds depressing, and it is, but remember that the progress of this disease differs from person to person.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease :

Although there is no permanent cure for Alzheimer’s disease, the best way to prevent it is through early detection. Some common early symptoms of this disease are :

• Difficulty or being unsure while performing routine jobs

• Changes in behavioral patterns like becoming violent or abusive

• Family history of the disease

• Unable to use proper and simple language or common terms in daily conversation

• Unable to remember recent events but easily remember long ago events

• Misplacing things and keeping them in the most unusual places

• Becoming lost in your own home or street and unable to locate your own home

A person with Alzheimer’s disease can become disoriented as they lose their normal reasoning and power of judgment. They are unable to function independently. Managing daily activities slowly becomes ever more difficult. Their ability to analyze events and communicate with those around them can deteriorate significantly, which causes marked changes in their personality.

How does Alzheimer’s Affect Brain Functioning?

Often, brain autopsies of Alzheimer’s patients reveal certain abnormalities. The brain shows growth and entanglement of abnormal fibers with brain tissue filaments. These could be the cause behind various senile patches of degenerated nerve endings. This damage interferes with the normal transmission of brain impulses through the different parts and cells of the brain. The brain is damaged by Alzheimer’s disease. It affects people of any age group, although it is more common among people in their sixties. Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, but the rate of progress differs between individuals. Some succumb to the disease within a few years of diagnosis while others live with it for up to two decades. Severe brain damage can cause death in an otherwise healthy person.

Treatment Options

Psychological tests concentrate on testing your memory, thinking ability and identifying objects. These tests determine the presence of Alzheimer’s disease and may distinguish between it and other forms of dementia. Sometimes, patients can suffer from temporary dementia problems due to stress or even depression. So, it is best to conduct tests to find out if it really is Alzheimer’s disease. Although there is no permanent cure, certain drugs may reduce the deterioration of neurotransmitters of the brain. Such drugs include acetaminophen, ibuprofen and aspirin, which are not steroids and act as anti-inflammatory drugs. Anticholinesterase inhibition treatment has been used to reduce deposits in the brain, but recent findings nullify the effectiveness of such inhibition treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

These deposits targeted by this treatment. accelerate brain cell deterioration and the progress towards imminent death. Food which is rich in Vitamin B and antioxidants can control degenerative effects of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is fatal as brain cells slowly lose their capacity to perform and then other vital systems of your body suffer, eventually leading to total failure of body functions. The best option is early detection of the disease so that the best possible treatment options can be undertaken.

Getting the disease diagnosed early can improve the treatment options!

To get all the answers you need please go to: http://www.visionones.com/book/health1.htm

Cecil

cutter_tree asked:


My father needs to go to an oral surgeon but someone said that being anesthetized can worsen condition so mom is worried.

Melinda

MIKE SELVON asked:


Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimers Disease, which is currently the seventh leading cause of death. Often, it is difficult to diagnose early onset Alzheimers because the signs of Alzheimers mimic normal aging.

As we get older, we naturally will forget a few specific names, places or details. We’ll misplace our keys or walk into a room and forget what we came to accomplish. However, there are some key warning signs that may hint at an Alzheimers diagnosis.

Sometimes, it may be difficult to tell Alzheimers Disease from the normal symptoms of aging. The Alzheimer’s Association says there are ten warning signs of Alzheimers to look out for.

While it is normal to occasionally forget names or appointments, it is not normal to forget these things constantly or instantly forget recently learned information. It’s normal to forget why you came into the room or what you were about to say, but it’s abnormal to forget how to cook a meal, make a phone call or perform another basic daily task.

It’s normal to have difficulty finding the right word, but the Alzheimers patient may substitute random weird words or use convoluted speech that is difficult to understand. It’s normal to forget the day of the week or where you were going, but you may have the disease if you forget where your house is while walking in your own neighborhood.

It’s normal to make poor decisions from time to time, but if you’re wearing the same clothes everyday, forgetting to shower or giving away large sums of money to telemarketers, then you may have dementia. Balancing your checkbook and growing weary of chores are normal, but it’s abnormal to forget what numbers are for or become totally lethargic.

Misplacing wallets and keys are normal, but Alzheimers patients frequently put objects in weird places - like the keys in a sugar bowl or paper in the fridge. It’s normal to feel sad and moody or experience a slight personality change, but it’s abnormal to exhibit rapid mood swings and become extremely fearful or confused for seemingly no rational reason at all.

The moderate stages of Alzheimers involve sufferers wandering off, enduring mood swings, forgetting manners, changing behavior, having trouble accomplishing basic tasks, repeating stories and forgetting names. The worst-case scenarios involve Alzheimers patients forgetting who family members are, speaking in gibberish, refusing to eat, being unable to control bowel or motor functions, groaning or screaming, forgetting how to walk, tearing easily or needing total assistance for daily life.

There are many places to turn for Alzheimers help. Attending an Alzheimers support group can work wonders for the caregivers, who are probably feeling mixed emotions of helplessness, depression, anxiety, impatience, resentment, fear and frustration.

For the Alzheimers Disease sufferer, minimizing clutter and confusion around the house is a good start. A long term care facility may be eventually be needed but unconditional love and support can go a long way.

Sally

mbasey46 asked:


The home says only registered nurses are allowed to do so, and they are always so shorthanded that it takes forever from the time the food is brought to the area to the time the patients actually get to eat.

Maurice

daisy asked:


My grandma is 94 with alzheimers and has lost alot of memory but otherwise is in pretty good health for her age. I don’t understand how alzheimers by itself kills people.

Kristen

Quite Contrary Mary asked:


Are there any daily activities I can partake with my grandmother to keep her from falling into the clutches of Alzheimers…she is 81, and I worry.

She doesn’t like to read much.

Is there anything that doesn’t involve reading and writing — that will help her retain her memory. Other sorts of excericises?

Christina

Eren asked:


DEMENTIAS: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE; MEMORY, DIET, EXERCISE.

(Based on author’s site www.geocities.com/alzdem)

Alzheimer’s disease is often confused with dementia ~almost identical in effect each are caused differently -symptoms of each differ (yet are misleadingly same or similar to those of other health problems)…

This seeks to explain the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia for coping with both better ~with often omitted academic but useful knowledge in layman’s terms on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia -also some helpful diet and memory stimulating reality-orientation suggestions from various sources on the subject, including exercise for the main side effects of both Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dementias differing on the onset and in progression, not in effect, the essential professional medical consultation involves the elimination of all other possible causes ~because the same effects are caused by and can be due to many other health problems -such as: controllable chemical deficiency e.g. Parkinson’s disease; usually treatable severe depression; sometimes curable brain-tumours, strokes or head injuries; completely curable thyroid gland or vitamin deficiency, most infections of the body e.g. kidney infection or pneumonia (and indeed in the older person the effects of sleeping-pills or drugs taken in combination, distressing change or loss in relationships, even changes in usual habits or environment)…

‘Dementia’ means in Latin ‘out of the mind’ and was used to be the name given to any and every thing which involved deteriorated mental functions of which the cause of was not know ~indeed the name for schizophrenia (known popularly as ’split personality’) of which the sufferers were noticed to be mostly not the elderly at one time was ‘dementia praecox’ the latter word meaning early or youthful -as in time in many kinds dementia differences came to be noticed as having also to do with or affecting also the biochemical functioning of the nervous system and sometimes the structure of the brain the word ‘dementia’ has come to refer only to such cases of mainly mental failures where previously the brain was well-formed and faculties were well-functioning (as distinct from by birth, due mostly to oxygen deficiency at the time of birth caused, intellectual inability called ‘amentia’).

Dementia is, nowadays, the name used for the condition that results to such an exceptional extent in the hardening and thickening and the loss of the elasticity of the blood vessels resulting in inadequate oxygen supply in the blood sometimes also to the brain by the arteries by old age (as a result of cholesterol and saturated fats deposited in them due to neglect in diet and cleansing by proper inhalation and exhalation and exercise) as to, as in the case of only some 10% of those above 70-80 years of age, so abnormally cause cell-death in parts of the brain as results to such an extent of the nervous system’s loss of control of one’s functions, more so mental, that necessitates medical treatment and aiding by reality-orientation including as to time and space and other persons as well as oneself -mostly manifesting as loss of (first short-term) memory and concentration.

Multi Infarct Dementia, also called ’senile dementia’ or ‘arterio-sclerotic dementia’ or ‘vascular dementia’, is what is coming increasingly to be meant by the term ‘dementia’ ~among persons mostly over the age of 75 and exceptionally with such extreme and widespread loss of nerve cells and brain-tissue loss it occurs that it causes deterioration in mental functions affecting mostly memory but sometimes also e.g. judgement and language -it arises from a vascular condition (abnormally high blood pressure [’hypertension’] or some other condition relating to blood vessels ~multiple-sclerosis or e.g. Parkinson’s disease or Huntington’s chorea may also lead to it) which may be sudden at the onset and with mini strokes destroys small portions of the brain, although for periods of time it may not get worse and even may misleadingly appear to improve; but, as the second most common type of dementia, if the condition is treated it can slow down, even be prevented.

Alzheimer’s Disease (the name refers to its discoverer) is a dementia also called ‘Alzheimer’s sclerosis’ (meaning hardening of biological tissue -mostly arteries and nerves) discovered to involve the tangling of tiny threads (’neurofibril’ -where molecules of protein ‘tau’ if incorrectly processed clump together) that run through nerve fibres serving as neural conductors with abnormal concentrations accumulated in them of aluminium, deficiency at neurotransmitter level of an important chemical compound (’acetylcholine’) which certain nerve endings release to help transmit electrical impulses, and deteriorated neural matter (’neurotic plaques’) around deposits of a kind of protein (’amyloidB’) ~atrophy of the brain, the shrinkage, being coupled and probably caused by the hardening of the cover of it as a result, at ages often 40-60 (for which reason it was also called ‘pre-senile dementia’ or ‘pre-senile sclerosis’ ~’senile’ pertaining to old age when dementia exceptionally occurs), of loss of brain tissue (which unlike the fallacy has nothing to do with under or over use of the brain) -’Pick’s disease’ being the form of it (otherwise known as ‘Pick’s convolutional atrophy’ where the shrinkage is of the cortex of the brain, in these cases also sometimes with hallucinatory effects and in women sometimes some emotional instability [although science is uncertain if atrophy is not cause but effect]).

This type is some 50% of dementia suffered ~on the outset it is gradual and irreversible brain-cell loss, slow but regular with increasing irritability-anxiety-anger-depression, and in advanced stages unresponsiveness and loss of control of bodily functions as well as immobility leading typically between 5-10 years sometimes 2-20 years later to death -but science is discovering that only in 10% of the cases it is happening before the age 60 where some inherent genetic mutation may be involved (in chromosomes 1 and 14 mostly, and also chromosome 21 [this only to the extent that it causes increased production or depositing of ‘amyloidB’ forming the core of ‘neurotic plaques’]) and even then not always on the early onset (as in the case of a defective chromosome 19 [responsible for ‘apoliproteinE’ used in cholesterol transport]) and 90% of this is after 65 years of age (and that sometimes a drug [’tacrine’] has slowed progression).

Coping with any dementia, including multi infarct dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, without professional medical consultation is not possible and should never be attempted (because dementias differently develop among sufferers) -nor should any drugs be used without professional medical advice (because even ‘tacrine’ is not in all cases effective, and in some sufferers become toxic to the liver) ~the following are generally agreed by to be helpful in coping with Alzheimer’s Disease…

Senses of touch-hearing-sight of the Alzheimer’s Disease sufferers deteriorate (sensory impulses are transmitted by nerve tissue [optic thalamus] to sensory areas on sides of the brain); better lighting, definite touches, clearer speech, help much in caring in Alzheimer’s Disease…

Perception decrease is common in Alzheimer’s Disease (the frontal lobe of the brain controls perception) ~avoid reflective surfaces, shadows (draw curtains at night), confusion (use 24 hour clocks -or marked ‘am/pm’) for the sufferers of Alzheimer’s Disease…

Behavior may change in Alzheimer’s Disease (the above may cause dissociative reaction) with wandering at night ~keep busy during day to reasonably tire by night -have a name bracelet and a name and address card in a pocket…

Memory is most affected in Alzheimer’s Disease ~first short term memory (’the law of recency’ [last learned best remembered] ceases to apply), then long term -but it helps to know and bear in mind that the ability to learn/re-learn continues and reality orientation (a therapy to keep in touch with time-space-people) is simply to often ask and get to say what is doing, how, why, where, what next (’the law of exercise’ -repetition aids memory), and to do so nicely (’the law of effect’ -stimuli response connection is stronger when consequences are pleasant), and family albums and photographs help greatly in Alzheimer’s Disease .

Exercise by swimming, gardening, dancing, walking/strolling (physical functions controlled by the brain [e.g. complex voluntary movements by the frontal lobe] become affected) -and the bladder can be trained. Exercise helps in Alzheimer’s disease.

Diet for Alzheimer’s Disease should include vitaminB: yeast, peas, fish (lack of it aggravates possible hallucinations), to prevent constipation and de-hydration plenty of water (less salt retains body fluids) and lettuce (a smooth roughage)~also tea and especially coffe in the case of women (more so if 80 or over) has been discovered to help (this is not so for men because of different male and female metabolisms) -caffeine may affect blood-pressure and moderation is suggessted.

Few psychologist considered dementias mental conflicts -now medicine on evidence of biochemical changes consider them an organic syndrome, including Alzheimer’s disease.

One must, in case of concern, consult medically.

The author has a website at: http://www.geocities.com/eoa_uk

Gladys

magicbird asked:


I just learned that there is a suspected link between aluminum in anti-perspirants (and in using aluminum cookware) and getting Alzheimers. Do you use anti-perspirants, or use cookware, that has aluminum in it? Are you concerned about the possible risks?

Nellie

Todd Alexander asked:


There is a misconception, particularly in the United States, that Alzheimer’s disease is a normal part of aging. Because of this misconception, the disease is accepted as something you will definitely face as you age, and you might as well get used to the idea.
The fact is, Alzheimer’s is not unavoidable, and it is not just a normal part of aging. Alzheimer’s disease is just that-a disease. No one knows what causes it or who will be affected by it, but we do know what it is, and we know ways to reduce our risk.
We do not have to live in fear of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
First, we should know exactly what Alzheimer’s disease is. It’s a progressive, degenerative disease affecting the brain. Cells in the brain shrink, or disappear altogether, and are replaced with plaque. Thread-like structures of plaque choke off healthy brain cells.
All of this causes the brain to cease functioning correctly, which results in loss of mental and physical abilities and changes in behavior.
You’re probably very familiar with the advanced symptoms of Alzheimer’s, including loss of memory and inability to function on one’s own.
You may not be aware of some of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, including:
-Memory loss
-Difficulty in performing routine tasks like balancing a checkbook
-Forgetting simple words more often than before
-Difficulty being understood when you speak
-Misplacing items, i.e. putting the phone in the refrigerator
-Mental confusion, such as getting lost on your own street
Many of these are things we all do occasionally; of course the point at which they become warning signs is the point at which they become abnormal for you.
Avoiding Alzheimer’s is not as easy as one would hope, because no one knows what causes it or who is likely to get it. But there are things you can do to help reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s.
Exercise, according to a 5-year study in Canada, cuts the risk not only of Alzheimer’s but of other forms of mental decline and dementia, particularly in women. The more you exercise, the more your brain is sheltered from the risks of Alzheimer’s.
According to the study, those who exercised the most were half as likely as inactive people to develop Alzheimer’s disease and 40% less likely to suffer other forms of mental decline and dementia.
But even low levels of activity decreased risk for mental decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Doctors believe that medications designed to lower blood cholesterol may protect against the development of Alzheimer’s. One natural supplement used for cholesterol, red yeast extract, is a natural statin, the very substance doctors believe can reduce chances of Alzheimer’s.
Folic acid and vitamins C and E are believed to help prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer’s, as well, and are very good for overall health. The antioxidant properties of these vitamins help prevent neuron damage in the brain and reduce the risks of mental decline.
One of the best things you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s is to keep your brain active. Read, take courses, play games, do crossword puzzles, and have intellectual conversations. Keep your brain active, keep developing new connections in your brain.
There are no guarantees against Alzheimer’s, but there are steps you can take, naturally, to protect your brain, and your mind, against this horrible illness.

Phyllis