About Alzheimers

MIKE SELVON asked:


At “Alz”, you can find personalized, confidential Alzheimers support. You can answer a quiz in the “Care Finder” section that will suggest the best Alzheimers information regarding care options. Is your loved one best served at home, taken to a weekend respite, checked into an assisted living Alzheimers facility, or put in a full-service Alzheimers home? The decisions are plentiful, so you should check in with the Alzheimers Association - either at your local branch or online - to get care assistance and also to find an Alzheimers support group to help you cope as well.

The first type of support involves the Alzheimers patient who may suffer only mild symptoms. If you fear your loved one is feeling confused and lonely, then you may want to enlist “Companion Services,” which helps with supervision, recreation or visits. If your loved one is in a more progressive Alzheimers stage but refuses a home, then you can call on “Personal Care Services” to help with bathing, dressing, toileting and exercising.

If you can afford time to care for your loved one but cannot upkeep two homes, then a “Homemaker Service” will ensure a clean, fresh environment for Alzheimers patients. Some Medicaid programs offer a home caregiver program subsidized by the state. Additionally, community services available through the Department of Aging can offer senior center activities, transportation services, meals on wheels, legal assistance, home repair programs and counseling services.

Another type of Alzheimers support is an assisted living Alzheimers facility. These residential communities allow your loved one to still maintain independence by having their own apartment, but makes life more manageable with housekeeping services, meals provided, 24-hour staff, yard maintenance, laundry and transportation services.

Assisted living units are sort of like living in a resort specially designed for seniors. Some assisted living apartments offer common areas, libraries, scheduled events, walking trails, gyms and other amenities. If you need medication reminders or grooming services, then some facilities even offer that.

Furthermore, “Respite Care” is a type of short term Alzheimers support that allows the Alzheimers caregiver a brief break to rest, relax or finish other tasks, without worrying about their loved one’s happiness or wellbeing. Since most caregivers are not paid nurses or doctors, they wind up feeling overloaded from constantly juggling work responsibilities and child rearing with the constant medical needs of their relative.

To avoid stretching yourself too thin, you can get care at home through an agency or you can take your loved one to a specialized adult day care/community service center. Here they will participate in enjoyable activities centered around art, music, exercise, film or group discussions. Since there is no cure, this may be the best support available for the Alzheimers patient.

Don

Peter Rodrick asked:


Alzheimer disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain and results in disorientation, with impaired memory, thinking, and judgement. People with Alzheimers also undergo changes in their behavior. This combination of symptoms is also called dementia.

People with Alzheimer disease have an atrophy of the cortical tissue within the brain. When examined at autopsy the brain shows abnormal fibers that appear to be tangles of brain tissue filaments (neurofibrillary tangles) and senile plaques (patches of degenerative nerve endings). This damage is believed to cause disruption to transmission of impulses amongst brain cells. It is this damage that is thought to produce the symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms

The early stages of Alzheimer disease and other dementias can be difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms are initially subtle or common to other illnesses. Symptoms also vary among individuals and between the various diseases that cause dementia.

As people get older, they start to forget little things, like the names of acquaintances and where they put the car keys. This needn’t be a sign of dementia and in a lot of cases it’s just that we are growing old and our brains are no longer at their peak.

It’s important to understand the early signs of Alzheimer and to seek a medical diagnosis if several symptoms are noticed. Often, it is a family member or close associate who first notices a change in the behavior or mood of a loved one; these people are instrumental in helping the person to get medical care.

Causes

Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently. Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Researchers have also considered genetic causes of Alzheimer disease and have found that some genetic mutations do seem to increase the chance of developing Alzheimer symptoms. Mutations in the genetic codes of beta-amyloid proteins and presenilin 1 and 2 have been considered as causes of early-onset Alzheimer. While the mutations often appear with early-onset Alzheimer, the majority of patients with Alzheimer-related brain damage do not show any evidence of these mutations.

Home Remedies

Sesame oil is a holistic food item that is actually the basic ingredient of most herbal medicine originating from India.

Studies have shown that sesame oil can relieve the depression associated with Alzheimer disease.

To use sesame oil for Alzheimer, heat a small amount of oil using a tablespoon over a burner or a candle.

Apply three drops of the warmed sesame seed oil in both the patient’s nostril twice a day.

Ginkgo - Unfortunately, doctors have underestimated the power of this herb but Ginkgo maximizes the flow of blood to the brain and helps protect neurons from free radicals. Recommended usage is 240 mg a day.

Tim

Mitamins Team asked:


Scientists do not yet fully understand what causes Alzheimer’s disease. Most likely there isn’t one single cause, but several factors that affect each person differently. Age is certainly the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.

Family history is another risk factor. Scientists believe that genetics may play a role in many Alzheimer’s cases. For example, early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease, a rare form of Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60, is inherited. The most common form of Alzheimer’s is late-onset Alzheimer’s, which occurs later in life, with no clear family history shown by patients.

However, several risk factor genes may interact with each other, and with non-genetic factors, to cause the disease. The only risk factor gene identified so far for late-onset Alzheimer’s is a protein called apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Although everyone has Apo3, only about 15 percent of people have a form that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. It is likely that other genes may cause Alzheimer’s, whilst some help prevent its onset, but they remain undiscovered.

Alzheimer’s disease causes a general decrease in function for certain areas of the pain that control thinking, communication, and behavior. Some of the deterioration may be related to a loss of chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the /pain - acetylcholine, in particular - that allow nerve cells in the pain to work properly.

Some studies have recommended that zinc or aluminum could help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms, although more research is needed. Experts agree both zinc and aluminum play crucial roles in our diet, in improving memory and /pain function.

Scientists are looking at three stages

Family history

For a few families, there is a exact relationship between family history and Alzheimer’s disease. While for others, a family history of Alzheimer’s disease puts them at greater risk than someone with no family history.

The external environment

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease may be in our environment — possibly a little in the water, soil or air.

The internal environment

Alzheimer’s disease may be caused by something within the body. It could be a slow virus, an difference of chemicals or a problem with the immune system.

Matthew

Douglas Hardwick asked:


Alzheimer’s disease touches the lives of millions of Americans. Today, some 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s, and 1 in 10 families have a loved one afflicted with it. With no cure in sight, it is important for families to arm themselves with information about this devastating disease.
* Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly.
Like a stroke, Alzheimer’s kills brain cells. Unlike a stroke, however, Alzheimer’s does not strike suddenly. And, its effects are more far-ranging. Experts like to say that Alzheimer’s has an insidious onset. This means simply that the disease starts slowly and unfolds very gradually. So gradually, in fact, that the person who has Alzheimer’s may not realize that anything is wrong until a great deal of brain tissue has been destroyed.
* Early symptoms reflect what is happening inside the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease attacks tissue deep within the brain and spreads out to include all those regions associated with complex thinking and learning; those regions of the brain that make us uniquely human. As the path of destruction widens, individuals who have Alzheimer’s will eventually notice that their thinking skills are deteriorating. More often than not, they will notice that their memory is failing. But, it is not just a series of senior moments. Individuals stricken by Alzheimer’s will have more than a little difficulty finding the right words to express their thoughts and feeling. They may forget the names of familiar places and long-term acquaintances. They are likely to forget long standing appointments. To compensate for these everyday losses, they may withdraw from friends and avoid social gatherings. Their homes may become littered with notes and other reminders as they struggle to overcome their memory losses.
* Alzheimer’s disease affects personality and behavior.
Interestingly, even as problems accumulate, many individuals will actively deny their difficulties. Denial is a common way of coping in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s. It is a defense mechanism that helps to preserve a sense of self-worth, which becomes increasingly fragile as thinking skills fail. Unfortunately, denial does not “work” forever or for everyone. When denial no longer works, some individuals sink into depression. Others may react with angry outbursts, even rage, in the face of everyday frustrations. It is especially common for individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s to develop a kind of apathy. They lose interest in those things that used to bring them joy.
* Early signs of Alzheimer’s may go unrecognized by family members.
Families often engage in their own form of denial when it comes to Alzheimer’s in a loved one. Significant memory problems in their loved one may be dismissed as simply a part of getting old. As a result, family members often overlook the earliest signs of mental deterioration. They become concerned and seek outside help only after they begin to notice the more obvious changes in behavior or personality. By then, Alzheimer’s has probably progressed to the point where their loved one can no longer live independently.
* Families must be prepared for what is going to happen.
Whenever the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is finally made, it is important for family members to understand that this is not a disease that can be cured or reversed. The fact is, individuals who have Alzheimer’s will spiral downward toward total care and, ultimately, death. It may take years, but individuals who have Alzheimer’s will eventually lose everything that defines their personhood. Among other things, their ability to communicate will continue to decline. They will lose the ability to dress and groom themselves. They will need assistance using the toilet. They may begin to wander and to experience hallucinations. In the final stages of the disease, individuals afflicted with Alzheimer’s will be unable to recognize a spouse or a child. Motor skills will decline so much that they will be unable to walk or to feed themselves. They will lose all control of bowel and bladder. Eventually, all body systems will shut down.
* Families must be willing to reach out for help.
Families need to think carefully about the amount of assistance they are willing and able to provide. Affection for the afflicted individual, as well as a sense of obligation, can initially blind family members to the harsh realities of caring for their loved one. Families must understand that the kind of care required will become more and more demanding. Worse, they will have to watch as the deterioration takes place. Among family caregivers, stress reactions can be quite severe and depression is very common. To cope, family caregivers must seek help from their larger community. The local Alzheimer’s Association should be their first stop. It is the best single resource available. The local Alzheimer’s Association can direct families to a variety of services and assistance. For example, many communities have respite programs to give families a short break from care giving. Adult daycare also may be available to provide care during the day while family caregivers continue with their regular jobs. Often times, special support groups are available to help caregivers deal with the depression and other negative emotions that can develop over time. In any case, families of persons afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease do not have to go it alone. Help is available.

Dan

Mitamins Team asked:


Alzheimer’s disease is the most common kind of dementia occurring among older people. This condition is a brain disorder which affects memory, thinking and behavior. If severe, it can affect daily life practices, such as eating, speaking and self hygiene. Alzheimer’s disease is named after the German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first discovered the disease and described it in detail in 1906. After this, many scientists devoted themselves to the study of Alzheimer’s disease, making a lot of progress in their findings. Recently, the disease has attracted considerable attention since it is among the top ten leading causes of death in the United States.

Alzheimer’s is a chronic disease, meaning that it begins slowly and then worsens gradually. It is important if the onset of the disease is caught in the early stages. The older a person is, the more at risk for Alzheimer’s disease he or she may be, particularly after age 60. In the early stages of the disease, one may forget recent events or the names of people. This is because the disease involves the brain, and can cause thought and memory problems. During this period, you should consult a physician and seek treatment. When the disease worsens beyond the initial stages, sufferers do not recognize their family members and may not be able to speak or deal with daily activities such as brushing their teeth or combing their hair. This may bring the sufferer’s family a lot of stress as he or she must be taken care of in regards to personal matters. There currently does not exist a treatment that can stop the disease, as the disease is related to aging, which is a kind of natural phenomenon, however, natural treatment of Alzheimer’s disease(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Alzheimers-Disease.html) can prevent the symptoms from worsening or delaying its onset.

Change Diet to a Silicon-Rich One

Most nutritionists don’t label silicon as an essential nutrient for body health; however, recent studies show that a higher intake of mineral silicon helps reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. An experiment involving seven thousand French women aged 75 or older has drawn the conclusion: those with a lower intake of silicon were at a higher and increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Alzheimers-Disease.html). Silicon is not only useful in treating age-related dementia, but also is useful in preventing hardening of the arteries.

Silicon can be found in many kinds of grains such as oats, wheat and rice. But the amount of silicon in grains is reduced after the refining process. You can also find silicon in unrefined soy products. Nowadays many nutritional supplements include silicon. Generally, natural supplements are a good choice in fighting Alzheimer’s disease as they contain essential ingredients to support nervous system health as well as some powerful targeted vitamins and botanicals which should assist in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Alzheimers-Disease.html).

Eva

Juliet Cohen asked:


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.

Juan

Darceli F asked:


say you chose a profession of teaching or in a science related field, are you less likely to develope dementia or alzheimers because you are constantly using your brain?

Gary

X L M T D asked:


Someone told me he is too old and is showing signs of Alzheimers. Is it true or a rumor?

Carolyn

Kris Kelkar asked:


Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that damages
areas of the brain involved in intelligence, memory, behavior,
judgment, and language. It is the most common form of mental
decline in older adults. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but
the course of the disease varies from person to person. Some
people may still be able to function relatively well until late
stages of Alzheimers disease. Others may lose the ability to do
daily activities in earlier stages. Over time, Alzheimer’s
disease causes severe mental and functional problems and
eventually results in death.
Causes
Scientists do not yet fully understand the causes of Alzheimer’s
disease. There probably is not one single cause, but several
factors that affect each person differently.
Recent studies indicate that amyloid beta protein may cause
Alzheimer’s disease. In healthy people, this protein can cross
the blood-brain barrier (the wall of blood vessels that feed the
brain and regulate the entry and exit of brain chemicals) and
leave the brain. In people with Alzheimers disease, amyloid beta
protein can’t pass through that barrier. As more amyloid beta
protein accumulates in a person’s brain, they become more and
more mentally disabled.
Research has recently revealed that consumption of sugar could
be one of the biggest threats to our overall health - especially
when it comes to age related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. One
of the major problems stemming from sugar over-consumption is a
chemical process called glycation. Glycation refers to the
combination of a sugar and a protein molecule and occurs in your
body when glucose in your blood combines with the amino acids
tryptophan, lysine or arginine. This reaction releases
byproducts called Advanced Glycation Endproducts (appropriately
given the acronym AGE).
The formation of AGEs is accelerated when you have lower levels
of antioxidants in your system and when your kidneys are weak or
malfunctioning. The formation is also accelerated when blood
sugar levels are high. Researchers now believe that glycation
and the formation of AGEs lie at the heart of the alteration of
proteins in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk Factors
Age is the most important known risk factor for Alzheimer’s
disease. The number of people with the disease doubles every 5
years beyond age 65.
Blood sugar problems that cause excess glucose in the blood,
such as diabetes, has now been added to the list of risk factors
for Alzheimer’s, given the role of glycation.
Family history is another risk factor, depending on the type of
Alzheimer’s . Familial Alzheimer’s Disease, a rare form of
Alzheimer’s that usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 60,
is inherited - so family history is a big risk factor. The more
common form of Alzheimers disease is known as late-onset
Alzheimer’s. It occurs later in life, and no obvious inheritance
pattern is seen.
Relationship to Aluminum
Since 1965, researchers have suspected that Alzheimers disease
is related to accumulations of aluminum in the brain. A
relationship between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer’s
has now been established. Additionally, a study looked at the
association of Alzheimer’s and lifetime exposure to aluminum in
antiperspirants and antacids. Scientists found a direct
correlation. The more antiperspirant that was used, the more
likely the person would develop Alzheimers disease. The same
held true for aluminum antacids. It is hard to deny that
environmental exposure to aluminum is at least related to
Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms and Cures
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease for which there is
no known cure. However, various therapies and treatments can
slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important
to know the warning signs for each stage of Alzheimer’s and detect the condition
early. If caught early alpha lipoic acid and other Alzheimer’s
treatments can be used to slow (and possibly stop) the
progression of the disease.

Willie