You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Upon doing research on the disease I learned that Alzheimer's disease is perhaps the most common form of dementia, although several others exist. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease of the brain. In the early stages, people experience some memory loss which progresses to marked memory loss, then to a decrease in thinking ability such as decision making. Later the disease leads to the loss in the ability to perform activities of daily living or recognize loved ones. The changes in the brain that often mirror the decline in thinking are the development of plaques and tangles in the brain. These changes may begin in areas of the brain associated with memory, but later spread more widely throughout the brain. The plaques and tangles can lead to a gradual loss of connections between brain cells and eventually cell death.…
- 654 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
In the times in which we live, there are many hundreds of institutions that are working on the Alzheimer’s issue. Researchers are hoping to break the mysteries of this disease and wipe it from the face of the earth forever. It is estimated that there are now more than 5.2 million people in the United States living with AD and as the population ages; this number is expected to triple by the year 2050. Among baby boomers aged 55 and over, one in eight will develop AD and one in six will develop a dementia. Half of all persons 85 years and older will develop the disease. Although the illness usually develops in people age 65 or older, it is estimated that over 500,000 people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s have Alzheimer 's disease or a related dementia. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the country. According to the California Department of Public Health,…
- 3191 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
In Alzheimer’s disease, two abnormal proteins build in the brain. They form clumps called either “plaques” or “tangles”. These plaques and tangles interfere with how brain cells work and communicate with each other. The plaques are usually first seen in the area of the brain that makes new memories.…
- 4421 Words
- 14 Pages
Better Essays -
Consider the latest statistics on the specter of Alzheimer’s disease. More than 5 million Americans are presently afflicted with Alzheimer’s. One American out of every three dies from Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. In 2013, more than 15 million caregivers contributed more than 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care, which would have cost upwards of 216 billion dollars. Almost 15% of caregivers assisting Alzheimer’s or related dementia patients are doing so via long-distance arrangements. In 2013, Alzheimer’s cost America 203 billion dollars; in the year 2050, this figure is projected to increase to 1.2 trillion dollars (alz.org).…
- 1990 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and social/behavioral skills. The direct cause of it is not yet fully understood, but based on studies, the disease seems to be a result of the combination of genetic material, lifestyle, and environmental factors that affect the brain. While Alzheimer’s is most commonly found among people above the age of 65, it is not what would considered a normal part of aging. However, it is the most common risk factor for this disease. As the age of a person reaches 65, the risk of getting this disease doubles every five years.…
- 956 Words
- 4 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 65. During the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease, people are free of symptoms but toxic changes are taking place in the brain. Abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain, and once-healthy neurons begin to work less efficiently.…
- 858 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Has Alzheimer’s effected your family? If so, you’re not alone. I never knew much about it until a year ago when my grandmother Doris Addair got effected by the horrifying disease. Alzheimer’s is a progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain. It effects 5.3 million Americans today and has no treatment. This makes the disease the 6th most leading cause of death in the elderly, two thirds of them being women. Alzheimer’s doesn’t only effect the memory, but the physical and mental functions of one’s life as well. Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease can affect the way you act and how you feel. People with Alzheimer's may experience Depression, Apathy, Social…
- 734 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Alzheimer's is a strange and mysterious illness. There are many frequently asked questions that must be answered.…
- 875 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Approximately 5.4 million Americans now have Alzheimer's disease and by the year 2050, more than 15 million Americans could possibly be living with the disease, unless scientists or medical professionals develop new ideas to prevent, slow or cure it. (AHAF) Alzheimer’s is usually associated with old age but it can also be diagnosed in younger individuals. “Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death among the top 10 in the United States that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.” (ALZ) This is considered to be one of the most heartbreaking diseases for a loved one to go through, because you’re basically watching them mentally fall apart often to the point when they don’t even remember who you…
- 1597 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that has been plaguing the citizens of the United States of America. Approximately, 5 million Americans of all ages have developed this disease; but most of the people affected are above the age of 65. Recently, estimations have shown that the disease is expected to grow up to 7 million people. According to statistics, by 2050 the numbers of cases are projected to be around 13 million citizens if the disease failed to be controlled. Moreover, as life expectancy escalates from year to year, Incidents of Alzheimer’s will increase because this disease takes effect as individuals become older. With the improvement in the overall quality of life people will be living longer; if these individuals develop Alzheimer’s it will be a burden financially on the health care…
- 1278 Words
- 6 Pages
Better Essays -
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 60. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, and reasoning—and behavioral abilities, to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living.…
- 1243 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
While the source of Alzheimer’s continues to be a mystery, many scientist concur Alzheimer’s, as many ordinary, severe conditions, developed are due to various factors, not just a isolated cause. Age is a chief possibility for Alzheimer’s. The majority of individuals with Alzheimer’s are age 65 or older. However, there remains the small percentage of individuals with Alzheimer’s that is caused by rare genetic; which unfortunately tends to attack younger individuals.…
- 1297 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
These links exist between both risk factor genes and deterministic genes. There has been one risk factor gene narrowed down that increases the chance a person will develop late-onset Alzheimer’s, however, the research has not found one specific gene that definitively causes late-onset Alzheimer’s. As for the deterministic genes, there are three specific genes which code for proteins that have been found to cause early-onset Alzheimer’s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s occurs between the ages of 30 and 60 years (“Alzheimer's Disease Genetics”, 2016). On the other hand, there are several environmental factors that have been connected to Alzheimer’s which the Alzheimer’s Association has stated. One of these risk factors is head trauma. The link between head injury and developing Alzheimer’s is stronger when the head trauma occurs multiple times or when it involves losing consciousness. Additionally, research has found a link between Alzheimer’s and poor heart health. If the heart or blood vessels are damaged, then the amount of nutrients and oxygen reaching the brain decreases. The brain heavily relies on this transportation system and the health of the brain can be comprised if heart health decreases. Studies of brain tissue suggest that plaques and tangles more commonly lead to Alzheimer’s if a stroke has occurred or if damage to blood vessels has occurred. That being said, some populations are more affected by Alzheimer’s than others. Some of these populations are Latinos and African Americans living in the United States. These populations are at greater risk for Alzheimer’s because they have higher rates of vascular disease. Another population that is greatly affected by Alzheimer’s is the older adult population. Only 5% of people with Alzheimer’s are considered early-onset, therefore, 95% of people with Alzheimer’s are above the age of 60 ("What Is…
- 998 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Age and family history are possible risk factors for the disease. Scientists are exploring the role of genetics in the development of Alzheimer's, studying chromosome 19. Rarer forms of the disease, which happen to people in their 30's and 40's, called "early-onset," often run within families and appear to be related to chromosome 1, chromosome 14, and chromosome 21. Many researchers and physicians are coming to believe that Alzheimer's is a complex disease, probably caused by a variety of influences.…
- 521 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Sadly, while the number of deaths from nearly all other major disease have decreased over the last decade, deaths linked to Alzheimer’s has increased by an astonishing sixty eight percent. It is the only cause of death in the top ten causes in America that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. The sheer amount of related deaths, and the cost going in to all aspects of it are absolutely staggering. The future of this disease, to put it in a single word is, scary.…
- 1398 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays