Alzheimers disease can be described as a progressive and - TopicsExpress



          

Alzheimers disease can be described as a progressive and irreversible condition that causes a slow destruction or degeneration of the brain cells, resulting in a gradual loss of memory. This symptom of accelerated memory loss is what we are most familiar with. A diagnosis of Alzheimers for you or a family member can be quite devastating and hard to deal with. The idea of having our memories slowly disappearing is equated with a slow loss of self. Our memories are the fabric that binds our social relationships, and the prospect of this loss of connection is unimaginable. This is why Alzheimers is such a dreaded disease. While the condition may not reversible, there are measures that you can take to put the brakes on this degenerative process. New and ongoing studies into the condition offer us more hope of restricting the damage, with the help of both conventional and alternative treatments. Alzheimers is one of the most common causes of dementia around the world. Dementia refers to the loss of cognitive functioning, where a person can lose the ability to think, recall, remember or even reason. While anyone can experience memory loss as a part of the ageing process, the effect of dementia is such that it affects a persons daily life and activities. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that people suffering from this disease do not even have the ability to carry out the easiest and simplest of tasks. This condition usually affects seniors and makes its first appearance once an individual is past the age of 60. Right from the time a person is affected by Alzheimers disease, the brain cells begin to degenerate and die, because of which there is a steady decline in brain function and memory. The exact factors that trigger the onset of Alzheimers disease are still not clear. Clinical studies show that the brain could undergo damage caused by this condition for around 10 to 20 years before any of the signs become evident. There is an area in the brain known as Entorhinal Cortex and the tangles usually begin to develop in that area. At the same time, this condition could also lead to the formation of plaque in the other areas of the brain. As higher amounts of these tangles and plaques develop in areas of the brain, the healthy neurons may lose their efficiency. This affects their ability to communicate with each other or function in any way, because of which they eventually die. The damage could also spread to a structure which is quite close and is known as the hippocampus. This structure is important in the formation of memories and therefore, any damage to it can affect the ability to remember even the most basic things. Since it is a progressive disease, you may notice the symptoms in different stages and the signs may not be severe enough to cause concern in the initial stages. However, as a person reaches the final stage of Alzheimers disease, the brain tissues may have shrunk a lot and the condition will be quite evident. This condition got its name from Dr. Alois Alzheimer in the year 1906. Although estimates may vary a bit, studies indicate that as many as 5.1 million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimers disease. There is no cure for this condition as yet and patients suffer from the adverse symptoms of Alzheimers disease on a lifelong basis. Symptoms of Alzheimer In the initial stages of Alzheimers disease, the symptoms you may notice usually include forgetfulness and mild confusion. As time goes by, the disease has a stronger impact on the patients memory, ability to speak, writing skills, problem solving capability and overall judgment. In case you are suffering from this disease, you may even realize that your memory is not as good as it used to be, or that organizing your thoughts is a bigger challenge than it has ever been before. However, several patients do not realize that there is something wrong with them, even though their family members, close friends and colleagues begin to notice the difference. Given below are some of the signs that are usually evident in Alzheimers disease: Memory: Everyone forgets things once in a while and so, if you often forget where you kept your keys, or even the names of your co-workers, it is regarded as being quite normal. However, people who suffer from Alzheimers disease forget things way more often and may repeat statements or questions over and over. They could forget something important that you mentioned to them or might not even show up for an important appointment, because they didnt remember. Over a period of time they can forget the names of family members and everyday objects. Disorientation: Wondering what the time could be, or even what day it is, isnt uncommon at all. However, Alzheimers patients could also lose sense of what year they are in, their location or the circumstances of their lives. Since this condition affects other brain abilities too, the patients may not even be able to understand their surroundings and they may feel lost in familiar places too. Speaking and Writing: Alzheimers patients usually find it difficult to use the right words for many objects and activities, because of which taking part in a conversation could be a huge challenge. Gradually, the ability to read and write is also affected. Thinking and Reasoning: Difficulties in thinking and concentrating usually arise, especially when it comes to abstract concepts. Balancing checkbooks, managing finances, paying bills and keeping track of appointments can become a major challenge for Alzheimers patients. This is because they may not be able to recognize numbers. Minor everyday issues may also become a grave challenge. Personality and Behavioral Changes: This condition has a significant impact on how a person feels or acts. People who suffer from Alzheimers disease usually experience aimless wandering, aggressiveness, irritability, distrust, social withdrawal, depression, sleeping problems, obstinacy, mood swings and increased anxiety.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 05:50:22 +0000

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