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Alzheimer's Disease - Alzheimer's Disease symptom, treatment, causes

(After Alois Alzheimer, the German neurologist who first described the disease in 1907, in a 55-yr-old woman). Alzheimer's Disease is a pre-senile dementia, suggesting an onset before old age. Though it may occur anytime after forty, the risk of Alzheimer's Disease increases with every decade.

Alzheimer's disease ( AD ) is a neurodegenerative disease.It involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Eventually AD destroys cognition, personality, and the ability to function. The progressive loss of intellectual abilities is termed Down syndrome. It is characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. In advanced stages of the disease, mental functioning may be lost. The researchers think these larger particles do not stick to blood vessels and so lower risk of people having strokes and heart attacks. The disease usually begins after age 60, and risk goes up with age. While younger people also may get AD, it is much less common. Alzheimer's disease is most common in individuals who are over 65; however, it can also occur in people much younger.

It is estimated that 2-5% of people over 65 years of age and up to 20% of those over 85 years of age suffer from the disease. In the meantime, caring for someone with Alzheimer's takes patience and a focus on the things a person can still do and enjoy. Those with Alzheimer's — as well as those who care for them — need support and affection from friends and family to cope.

What is Alzheimers Disease ?

Permanent, progressive DEMENTIA as a result of faster-than-normal degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. We all lose brain cells slowly from about the age of 20, but when the rate of degeneration speeds up and affects particularly those parts of the brain responsible for personality and intellect, dementia is on the way. The reason for the increased rate of brain cell loss in Alzheimer's disease is unknown. Genetic factors are suspected but have not been identified. About 20 per cent of people over 80 suffer from some degree of dementia. A rare, rapidly progressing form of similar dementia can affect people in their fifties.

Symptom of Alzheimers Disease

These usually develop very gradually. Forget fulness, especially for recent events, is an early sign. Later symptoms include loss of initia-tive, reduced physical activity, confusion, disori-entation, agitation, delusions, and apparently inappropriate emotions such as suspicion, hostility and aggression. Alzheimer's can progress to apathy, loss of speech, difficulty in swallowing (from which drooling results), incontinence, and finally a bed ridden state with sufferers apparently unaware of themselves or anything around them.

Diagnosis And Treatment of Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed when all other known (and possibly treatable) causes of dementia have been excluded. There is no cure. Treatment is aimed at keeping the patient comfortable and content, and helping the family to cope. Organisations in all States provide information and support for families and carers of people with Alzheimer's

Common FAQs about Alzheimer's Disease

How does one begin to suspect Alzheimer's Disease?

Memory loss, forgetfulness of routine and appointments, are the usual first signs. As in all dementia they may be dismissed as 'absent mindedness.' There may be problems with language, difficulty in finding words, bewilderment over routine tasks. Gradually, this may progress to more severe incapacitation, personal neglect and change in behavior. Hallucinations and delusions may further complicate the picture.

What happens to the brain in Alzheimer's Disease?

There is atrophy of the cerebral cortex, with enlargement of the ventricles of the brain. This means the 'thinking mantle' is thinned out, and the total number of active nerve cells is reduced. When observed under the microscope, the Alzheimer's Disease brain has deposits of amyloid between nerve cells. The nerve cells themselves appear clogged with abnormal protein (tau protein).

Is Alzheimer's Disease hereditary?

At present, 4 different genes have been found associated with Alzheimer's Disease, but the mode of inheritance is not clear. A positive family history of dementia certainly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Is there no treatment for Alzheimer's Disease?

There is no curative treatment for Alzheimer's Disease at present. However, your neurologist may suggest medication for complications like depression. Both the patient and the care-giver are more likely to benefit from support groups in tackling the illness on a day-to-day basis.

What can best help a person with Alzheimer's Disease?

A cheerful and encouraging environment. Safety factors must be checked out. As the patient's activities and life-style become restricted, anger and frustration must be factored in. Most patients with Alzheimer's Disease tire out their care-givers and very often, this passes unnoticed. Care-givers must enlist support so that they can get time off.