alzheimers

Alzheimers
Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the human brain that is characterized by impairment of memory and a disruption in at least one or more thinking functions. Dr. Alois Alzheimer first observed Alzheimers in 1906 with the use of “Auguste D., his patient who had profound memory loss, unfounded suspicions about her family, and other worsening psychological changes. In her brain at autopsy, he saw dramatic shrinkage and abnormal deposits in and around nerve cells.” (Major Milestones in Alzheimer’s and Brain Research) After his death, researchers were able to use his discovery as a start to learn more and more about this disease. For people who are aged 65 years and older, Alzheimer's is the most common form of Dementia “a usually progressive condition (as Alzheimer's disease) marked by deteriorated cognitive functioning often with emotional apathy” (Merriam Webster Dictionary) Although Dementia only describes symptoms that cause mental illnesses, “Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases.” (What is Alzheimer’s?) Symptoms of this form of Dementia may include: difficulty remembering names, impaired judgment, confusion, difficulty speaking, walking and swallowing. Brain changes that may occur are, “ Hallmark abnormalities are deposits of the protein fragment beta-amyloid (plaques) and twisted strands of the protein tau (tangles) as well as evidence of nerve cell damage and death in the brain.” (Types of Dementia)
There are five stages that partner with Alzheimers, each one helping the affected person and family understand what to expect for the future. The first stage is called “Preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease.” During this stage, the affected does not show any symptoms of Alzheimer’s; this stage can last for many years. The second stage is called “Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s Disease.” People in this stage experience mild changes in their memory and thinking abilities and may also lose their ability to make certain judgements. (Alzheimer’s Stages: How the disease progresses, Pg. 1)
The third stage “Mild Dementia due to Alzheimer’s Disease” is usually the stage in which a person is actually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Throughout this stage people may experience: memory loss of recent events, difficulty with problem solving, changes in personality, difficulty organizing and expressing thoughts and the individual may often get lost or seem to misplace belongings. The fourth stage “Moderate Dementia due To Alzheimer’s Disease” is very similar to the third stage. The person experiences a greater amount of memory loss, confusion, and personality changes and begins to need help with self care and daily activities. The final stage (late stage) of Alzheimer’s is known as, “Severe dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.” In this severe stage the person loses the ability to coherently communicate, requires daily assistance, and may become physically unable. (Alzheimer’s Stages: How the disease progresses, Pg. 2) Some of the most common risk factors that cause Alzheimer’s are, age, gender and family history. Studies show that people aged “65 years old or older” have the highest risk of having Alzheimer’s, although there is a small percentage of people in their mid thirties who are also affected by this disease. (Risk factors, Age) Gender is also a risk factor of this disease. According to the Research center at the University of California, “naming and word recognition skills tend to be more adversely affected in women than in men,” this causes the women to have a more severe type of Alzheimer’s. (Alzheimer’s Disease: Women Affected More Often Than Men) Another risk factor is family history. People who have “a parent, brother, sister or child with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. The risk increases if more than one family member has the illness.” (Risk Factors, Family history) Although there is yet no cure for Alzheimer’s Disease, there are many treatments and care options available to properly deal with this disease. Two main drugs available for Alzheimer’s are Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine. Cholinesterase Inhibitors include drugs such as, Aricept, Razadyne and Exedon. The inhibitors work by ”boosting levels of a cell-to-cell communication chemical depleted in the brain by Alzheimer's disease.” There is also a drug named Memantine which “works in another brain cell communication network and slows the progression of symptoms with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.” (Alzheimer’s Disease, Treatment and drugs)
Other than taking medications, it is important for a person with Alzheimer’s to be involved in regular exercise activity. Exercise can help the person improve his or her mood and it also helps maintain good health in other parts of the body. People with this disease tend to forget to eat so having a good nutrition is also very important when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Healthy smoothies, shakes, and healthy beverages are recommended for people who have been diagnosed.
Recently there has been a “turning point in the search for a medicine that could beat Alzheimer's disease, after a drug-like compound was used to halt brain cell death in mice for the first time.” (Alzheimer’s treatment breakthrough, Cooper) Although this may take a few years to be safe and effective in a human, the creation of this “drug-like compound” could eventually be the cure for Alzheimer’s Disease which would be a positive turning point in this medical history.