Alzheimers disease is a form of a mental disorder known as “dementia”. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously hampers the brain’s 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 anyone’s 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 isn’t just going through the usual memory loss associated with age; however, sometimes an Alzheimers test isn’t necessary. Alzheimers disease doesn’t just affect a person’s 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.
The human brain is awesome as it functions twenty-four hours a day from the day we are born. It is considered as one of the important organ in our body. The brain power improves by the use of it. Nowadays there are many neuro-degenerative diseases that affect the brain.
One of the diseases that come under neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer’s that is the most common type of dementia. It is a progressive disease that begins with mild memory loss & involves the parts of the brain that controls memory, language, and thought. In this disease, the death of brain cells takes place that causes loss of memory. After the age of 60, the symptoms of this disease appear & risks of this disease increase with the age.
The progression of this disease is done on three main stages before the symptoms appear (preclinical), when symptoms are mild (mild cognitive impairment), & dementia.
What are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?
The early signs of this disease are loss of memory as the disease progress the memory impairment worsens. The different symptoms are mentioned below:
- Memory loss: People with Alzheimer’s disease forget the conversation, events, or appointments, Repeat questions and statements, forget the name of family members, & they have trouble to identify objects, take part in conversations, or express thoughts.
- Difficulty in making decisions & judgments: The ability to make proper judgments & reasonable decisions become worse. For example, it becomes more difficult for an affected person to do everyday workings like an unexpected driving situation.
- Changes seen in the behavior & personality: A sufferer of Alzheimer’s disease faces change in behaviors, mood swings, depression, social withdrawal, irritability, loss of inhibitions, sleep habits change, aggressiveness, delusions, etc.
- The thinking & reasoning pattern changes: This disease causes difficulty in thinking & concentrating. A person may feel difficulty in recognizing and dealing with numbers.
- Difficulty in performing and planning familiar tasks: Patient of Alzheimer’s disease faces difficulty in doing routine activities like cooking meal, playing a favorite game, doing basic tasks such as bathing and dressing.
What are the Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease?
Most of the people believe that Alzheimer’s disease is caused due to a combination of lifestyle, genetic, & environmental factors. The part of the brain that controls memory is damaged in this condition. In the late stage, the brain shrunk. Loss of neurons that further spread to the other parts of the brain.
What are the Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease?
- This disease is more common in people at the age of 60’s.
- The genetic factor, if your parent or sibling is affected with this disease than you might be a sufferer.
- Women are more prone to this disease than men.
- People with Down syndrome may develop Alzheimer’s disease.
- The patient with Alzheimer’s disease faces difficulty in sleeping.
- Past head trauma patients are at higher of Alzheimer’s disease.
- There is mild cognitive impairment in thinking skills and memory.
- Lifestyle problems like lack of exercise, high blood pressure, diabetes, lack of exercise, high cholesterol, etc.