About Alzheimers

Matt Traverso asked:


 
There are scientific advancements that look promising for preventing and even reversing the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive deterioration of the brain, first described in 1907 by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer (1864–1915). It is the most common form of dementing, or mind-depriving, illness, affecting cells in an area of the brain important to memory.

Alzheimer’s disease or Alzheimer’s syndrome most commonly strikes elderly adults, but it has also been known to afflict people in their late twenties.

People with Alzheimer’s experience difficulties communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning – problems severe enough to have an impact on an individual’s work, social activities and family life.

Alzheimer’s is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the number of people affected. It is emerging to potentially become the largest medical problem facing the elderly in the 21st century.

Currently there are as many as 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.

A new person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 71 seconds, and because people are living longer Alzheimer’s disease has become a serious health problem that governments must face; this disease is now the sixth leading cause of death in America alone. Alzheimer’s disease is becoming tragically common.

Over 12 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The direct and indirect cost of caring for Alzheimer’s victims in the United States alone is more than $100 billion a year.

With these startling statistics, can anything be done to save our brains from this horrific deterioration? Will more seniors be able to avoid falling victim to Alzheimer’s as the elderly population increases? Are we finally getting close to a cure?

The conventional medical approach is limited to pain relief and controlling some of the related symptoms by using expensive prescription drugs riddled with side effects.

But in reality, extensive research reveals that proliferation of Alzheimer’s disease in society is a direct manifestation of our changed lifestyles. When people around the world experience similar problems, it’s not a random incident but a methodical process spreading across cultures and borders.

You see, our lifestyle choices have gotten us into this mess. We need to make the right choices to get us out.

The fact is the exponential increase in Alzheimer’s disease is really the result of the way our lives have changed. The bad news is we are used to living a certain way now and it isn’t easy to change. The good news is that change is in our power and with it better health.

One way to help lower the risk of dementia and one that you can have responsibility for is to change your habits of life, eat healthily and take regular exercise. Currently, researchers studying Alzheimer’s patients have noticed that those who stay healthy and take specific nutritional supplements have slowed down and even reversed the decline.

Yes, Alzheimer’s is NOT an incurable condition. Alzheimer’s is curable and CAN be reversed.

Everyday now more and more people are finding that they can start to reverse their Alzheimer’s.

Diane

David Mcfarlane asked:


Someone in your family has Alzheimers disease, and you have been gathering info on Alzheimers disease to try to help you make decisions about what to do next, but everything you find is so scientific and complicated. What can you tell your kids to make them understand why their grandfather or uncle does not recognize them anymore? The info on Alzheimers disease below is aimed at children and families, so read it together.

Alzheimers: What Is It?

Alzheimers disease is a form of a mental disorder known as dementia. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously hampers the brains ability to process rational or normal thought and inhibits the daily activities of its sufferers because of this. Alzheimers disease, therefore, affects the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, memory, and language.

Alzheimers disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. The German physician Alois Alzheimer first identified this disorder in 1907. This disorder is a serious illness that affects the memory ability of the brain, capability of learning, making rational decisions and capacity to function routinely.

Alzheimers disease robs millions of people each year of their memories, their personalities, and the ability to complete daily activities. For the longest time, it was believed that nothing could be done to prevent this awful disease; that it was simply something that people had to look forward to when they reached their golden years. However, new research indicates that there is a number of ways to prevent Alzheimers disease.

The hallmark sign of Alzheimers disease is the loss of memory. Generally, those 65 years of age or older, begin to concern themselves with this disease at the first episodes of forgetfulness. Although forgetfulness is a sign of Alzheimers disease, it is important to note that there are other signals that may herald the onset of this malady. Therefore, being knowledgeable about Alzheimers, through exhibited signs, and is paramount for our loved one’s health as well as our own.

Dealing With Alzheimers

Hearing the news that a family member has received an Alzheimers diagnosis can be an emotionally devastating moment in anyones life. However, before the Alzheimers diagnosis can be given to the patient and their family, the patient must undergo a variety of laboratory tests, such as medical assessments and laboratory measurements. There is no single test existing that will categorically give the Alzheimers diagnosis.

With this proactive stance, diagnosticians have been able to devise a set of Alzheimers disease testing tools that can detect symptoms of Alzheimers disease in its earlier stages. As of yet, there is no single diagnostic test that is able to determine if a person has Alzheimers disease, but the battery of testing that is available makes it possible for physicians to diagnose it with about 90 percent accuracy. Alzheimers disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis.

An Alzheimers test is important to ensure that the person is not just going through the usual memory loss associated with age; however, sometimes an Alzheimers test is not necessary. Alzheimers disease doesn’t just affect a persons memory; it can make people see things that aren’t there, and even send them into screaming fits. If you think a loved one is starting to become senile or experience other symptoms of dementia, you may want that person to undergo Alzheimers testing. Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive test for Alzheimers disease that a person can undergo. The only way doctors diagnose Alzheimers with 100% certainty is through physical examination of the brain after the person has passed away. Rather than Alzheimers testing, what you want to look for is some type of psychological and behavioral screening coupled with extensive tests to rule out other types of dementia.

Living With Alzheimers

Living with Alzheimers can be a crippling experience for both the disease sufferer and the family that is involved. There are many moments of misunderstanding or confusion for most and the symptoms can become frustrating and difficult. The loss of memory and other associated factors can often cause immense separation in families and can create a nervous tension on relationships that is not necessary if suitable information is available and utilized by all parties involved.

Finding in-house Alzheimers help should not be an emotionally laden issue for the entire family. Tackling this need in an organized way, from evaluating to planning, is the key to making in-house Alzheimers help feasible. First, you should sit down and evaluate the needs of the family caregiver and the patient. From there, creating a job list and a set of guidelines becomes easy to make and follow.

Caring for someone with Alzheimers can be a daunting task. You will need all of the support you can get, along with the latest and most significant Alzheimers info and research. It is a confusing time, and the more you know, the more confident you will feel in your ability to give your loved one the best possible care and support. It is also important to build a support network that will help you to avoid the common problems associated with caretaker burnout.

Ben

Alien asked:


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 (A?) 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.

Lillie