Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer's is a disease that destroys brain cells and causes gradual deterioration of the brain.  Symptoms can include cognitive difficulties, fits of anger and mood swings, loss of bodily functions, and dementia.  The stages of Alzheimer's progress differently in everyone, but the outcome is always the same.  Alzheimer's is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and it affects more that 5 million people.  It is the leading cause dementia in people over the age of 65. 

Though it is recognized as disease that mainly affects elderly people, there is rare type of the disorder that can affect people under the age of 65.  Early-onset Alzheimer's cases make up about five to ten percent of people with the disease and can strike people in their 30’s.  Because the symptoms can develop slowly over time people a can have the disease and not realize it for years.  Short-term memory loss is the most common symptom.

Medical doctors believe that the natural aging process and subsequent breakdown of brain neural cells is the main cause of the disease.  The excessive buildup of tangles and plaques is considered the main reason for the onset of the disease.  As we age, tangles and plaques build up between brain nerve cells naturally.  Victims of Alzheimer’s experience this buildup at an increase rate and the process starts at areas of the brain responsible for learning and memory.  The buildup of these proteins breaks down the brain’s neural structure and obstructs the communication signals in the brain. 

There is no known cure at present.  The best option doctors can offer is symptom management.  Doctors are hopeful preventive treatments will slow the progression of the disease.  Preventive treatments include exercise, a healthy diet, and mental stimulation.

• memory loss
• difficulty performing familiar tasks
• language problems
• disorientation and confusion 
• decreased or poor judgment
• problems with abstract thinking
• losing or misplacing things
• mood swings and behavior changes
• personality changes
• loss of initiative

The beginning stages of Alzheimer's may be mistaken for natural memory loss from as part of the ageing process or it may be misdiagnosed as the beginning stages dementia.  At this point, many people suffering from the disease will need minimal assistance with everyday life.  Unfortunately, the disease gets progressively worse over time and will interfere with the patient's work, social life, and hobbies.

Alzheimer's is a debilitating disease that not only affects the patient, but it affects the rest of the family as well.  Once a person enters the severe stages of the disease, they oftentimes do not realize that anything is wrong.  They go about their everyday lives not remembering past experiences, friends, or family.  Aside from the inevitable death of the patient, the loss of memory is the hardest part for the family to cope with. 

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