Alzhemier’s is a form of dementia and is the most common type of dementia in the entire world. Thirty five percent of the populations in nursing facilities suffer with this disease. The cost of care for Alzheimer patients is high above one hundred billion annually. As people continue to live longer and the elderly population grows globally, Alzheimer’s could possible become a full blown epidemic, unless a cure is found soon. The understanding of this disease was not available until recent years, although this disease was discovered near the start of the twentieth century.
This form of dementia is not considered a normal process of aging, although as people live longer, their risks become higher. The highest percentage of people with Alzhemier’s is over 85 years old. This disease affects the healthy tissues of the brain and causes them to degenerate, which causes loss of memory and intellectual abilities. The progression of this disease eventually causes the individual to loss the ability to function properly on a daily bases. Unfortunately, with no cure available, providing the patient with a good quality of life throughout all the stages of Alzheimers is important.
The early stages of Alzhemier’s present themselves with symptoms such as slight confusion and memory loss. Although most people normally forget things at times, this disease causes the individual’s memory to worsen as it progresses. Over time the individual will lose the ability to learn, imagine, remember and reason. The usual symptoms of Alzheimer’s are, repeating the same things, forgetting appointments and conversations, misplacing things or putting things in the wrong place, forgetting names of objects and members of their family, inability to think in an abstract way, difficulty doing simple math problems, loss of words, inability to express their thoughts properly, inability to read and write, losing sense of dates and time, inability to solve simple problems, loss of judgment, decision making and making plans. As the disease progresses the individual will start to have changes in their personality. These include mood swings, inability to trust others, stubbornness, withdrawing from people, aggressiveness, depression and anxiety.
Although the cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, scientists think that perhaps lifestyle, genetics and the individual’s environment combined can trigger the disease. Even though the cause is not understood, scientists do know that this disease does damage and kills healthy brain cells by either changes in the person’s tau proteins or the inability of the normal processing of the protein beta-amyloid.
There are some common risk factors that have been noted by scientists that can possibly trigger the disease. A person’s age is a big factor since this disease normally affects individuals who are over the age of 65 with 50% of individual’s with Alzheimer’s over the age of 85. Another risk factor is if a close relative has or had the disease. This factor raises the risk as scientists have discovered a mutation of several genes that can cause a higher risk within families. Another common factor that has been identified is a person’s sex. Females are more apt to get this disease than males, believed to be partly due to the fact that women live longer. Individuals who suffer with impaired memory problems at an early age are more prone to develop Alzhemier’s later in life. Physical disorders can also raise the risks of getting this disease such as high blood pressure and cholesterol or poor maintenance of diabetes.
The mental state of a person is also important in keeping the risks of this disease low. Staying mentally stimulated throughout a person’s life is important in warding off this disease, especially during the later years of life. Studies have been concluded showing evidence that people with less education than others has some influence on individuals being affected by this disease. The reason for this is unsure but scientists believe that perhaps when the brain is used more it affects the synapses of the brain, creating more of them, thus having them later in life as a reserve resource.
Although there is no cure for this disease, there are medications that are prescribed to help with the symptoms that occur. These include drugs for anxiety and agitation as well as medications for insomnia and wandering. There are also two different medications that are being used to slow the symptoms of cognitive issues associated with this disease.
Family members who are dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer’s are often at a loss with how to deal with the symptoms of this disease, as the affected family member often struggles with confusion, anger, grief, fear and depression. Being there for the person and listening to them with a caring ear and a reassuring voice can often calm them. Also providing a stable and quiet living environment can help reduce the person’s behavioral problems. Alzheimer’s patients often tend to lose their ability to think properly when there are loud noises, demands made on them that are too stressful or changes in their environment.
Photo: Source
Comments
Joyce Gouge
July 23rd, 2010 - 8:04:45 PM
My mother is in the last stage of Alzheiner's.She is now having seizures.What does this mean?
1
Gary Miller
July 23rd, 2010 - 9:14:11 PM
My mom is having difficulty walking and eating.I do not know whatto expect next?
2
libby williams
July 25th, 2010 - 10:29:28 PM
my mother sits alone she do not talk i have to tell her when to get up and eat and she sweeps all the time and she took scissors and cut off her braids in her hair and she has bald her head she talks smart mouth especially when company comes around she walks real slow and she cannot understand how to put things up she forget where she put things she tears up her room with clothes everywhere throw them all over the place cannot eat food without dropping it on the floor she holds her bladder sh she wets in her clothes i need help i am about to put her somewhere i cannot stand it anymore
3
Todd Hollfelder
July 27th, 2010 - 1:13:21 AM
My problem is my partner of 16 years who will be 57y/o this year and has been exhibiting these symptoms for the past 3 years. Since we cannot be legally married the Medical professionals don't give me all the information I need. Nor do the listen to me when I warn them of the issue because, as many of you know, if you only spend a few minutes with the patient they can often appear "normal". He's been hospitalized five times since the beginning of the year and I know there are drugs that can help but his heart condition becomes the primary issue and they forget to evaluate the "dementia" symptoms. He hasn't bathed or changed clothes in months. Has pulled a few of his teeth and, for some unknown reason, will not let anyone touch his hair. Our bills, which used to take care of, are chronically late or unpaid, and I can't support the two of us as I'm on disability myself, although I do still work part-time. I need help.. or a support group... as anti-depressants aren't enough!!! Has anyone found a solution themselves?
4
Helen H
July 27th, 2010 - 3:20:05 PM
Todd DO NOT GIVE UP! My fiancee (I am female) has been aware of his AD since 99. I have no legal rights because we are not married and if we were he would have no insurance. Look for another neurologists or make this one listen I have found in nontypical relationship that DRs don't listen I finally had to stand up to his neuro and say hey listen I may not be Mrs O on paper but I am with him 24/7 and I know what I see and what he does; HE doesn't remember that's why we're here. Take care of yourself I hope you have a good relationship with you DR. cause it is pure H*** trying to do what you hope is right my father had AD and died at 84 I took care of him for 9 years and endured a lot of emotional and some physcial abuse now we are starting the same path. I trust in God for the strength I need we all have to decide what is best for us in the situation don't let anyone make you think you are a bad person you are doing what lots of others are to scared to do I know 7 or 8 people who as soon as AD was diagnoised their loved one was put away. you have come a long way and if it is this time for you don't feel bad you have done what you can. I will be praying for you.
5
krickett egan
August 3rd, 2010 - 7:26:08 PM
I TAKE CARE OF MY GRANDMA THAT IS 100 YEARS OLD SHE WILL BEE 101 YEARS OLD ON 8-19. I HAVE CARE FORHER ABOUT 7 YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN A VERY HARD ROAD THERE TIME WHERE SHE DOSE NOT SLEEP FOR 4 TO 5 DAYS SHE JUST WALKS AND TALK UNSTOP ME AND MY DAUGHTER TAKE TURN SLEEPING SO THERE IS SOMEONE UP WITH AT ALL TIME .THING HAVE GOT REALLY HARD WITH MONEY BECAUSE I HAD TO STOP WORKING SO I CLOUD BE WITH HER AT ALL TIMES .WHAT I AM TRY TO FIND OUT IS IF THERE IS ANY KIND OF HELP FOR FAMILY THAT NEED HELP WITH MONEY .IF SO PLEASE E-MAIL ME AT [KRICKETTEGAN@YAHOO.COM] WITH ANYTHING ANYONE MITE KNOW BECAUSE I WILL NOT GIVE UP ON HER NOMATTER WHAT WE HAVE TO DO I WILL BE THERE TELL THE END .THANK U KRICKETT EGAN
6
Kay
August 5th, 2010 - 4:26:23 AM
I have a son who has been unable to work the past two years. He was diagnosed with a Pituitary disease and hormone treatments have helped in those areas; however, in this past year he has developed some serious forgetfullness, appointments, what day of the week. even forgot he went to church one sunday and showed up on Monday at the church. Also has gotten lost in the car when he knows this area like the back of his hand. He's under treatment by a neuro man for the hormonal problems but the above mentioned problems seem to be left out of the picture. I am concerned and feel more has to be done, but WHAT? He just seems to be marking time with these docs. I think he needs deeper investigation as these latter problems didn't show up until a long time after the pituitary diagnosis and hormone treatments. What to do next?
7
Marie LaPuma
August 5th, 2010 - 6:10:43 PM
My brother-in-law who is 87 and has Alzheimers Disease is in a nursing home. He doesn't know his wife or childrens names. Today the nursing staff at the home found him in bed with another lady in her room who also has Alzheimers and they were kissing and loving each other. Is this normal for one with this disease. My sister-in-law(his wife) is very upset over this.
8
Missy Brand
August 6th, 2010 - 5:27:38 AM
We just found out that my mother-in-law has alzheimers and now the family is all trying to take turns with her care. she lives alone, but is no longer allowed to be left by herself. None of us is really experienced with this so if there is anything anyone could tell us to help us know the best way to care for her or what we need to expect it would be greatly appreciated. thanks
9
Add your comment