ALZHEIMER AFFECTS PEOPLE

Alzheimer Affects People

Table of Content

Introduction3

Discussion and Analysis3

Alzheimer Affects People3

Symptoms4

What causes Alzheimer's disease?4

Environmental factors5

Treatment6

Conclusion7

References9

Alzheimer Affects People

Introduction

Alzheimer's disease is a disorder that affects millions of older adults and causes more worry for people over 55 years of age than any other condition. Suspecting you or a loved one may be exhibiting signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can be a stressful and emotional experience for everyone involved. Of course, even if your family history includes Alzheimer's disease and you find yourself forgetting things, it doesn't necessarily mean you have this disease. Even when you fear the worst, it is important to share your concerns and seek expert advice. The earlier you recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and seek help, the better your chances of getting the care you need and maximizing your quality of life (Yordi, 1999).

Discussion and Analysis

Alzheimer Affects People

Alzheimer's disease, first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer, is a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease, protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells (Spitalny, 1999). People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brain. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe.

Symptoms

People in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease may experience lapses of memory and have problems finding the right words. As the disease progresses, they may become confused and frequently forget the names of people, places, appointments and recent events; experience mood swings, feel sad or angry, or scared and frustrated by their increasing memory loss; become more withdrawn, due either to a loss of confidence or to communication problems; have difficulty carrying out everyday activities - they may get muddled checking their change at the shops or become unsure how to work the TV remote. As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's will need more support from those who care for them. Eventually, they will need help with all their daily activities (Gambassi, 1999). While there are some common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, it is important to remember that everyone is unique. No two people are likely to experience Alzheimer's disease in the same way.

Recently, some doctors have begun to use the term mild cognitive impairment (MCI) when an individual has difficulty remembering things or thinking clearly but the symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Recent research has shown that individuals with MCI have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. However, the conversion rate from MCI to Alzheimer's is low (about 10-20 per cent each year), and consequently a diagnosis of MCI does not always mean that the person will go on to develop Alzheimer's.

What causes Alzheimer's disease?

So far, no one single factor has been identified as a cause for Alzheimer's ...