Overview
According to the Alzheimer's Association, every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease; by 2050, it will be one person every 33 seconds. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia that affects people ages 65 and older. It is also the fifth-leading cause of death among people in this age group.
Causes
Plaques and tangles, which destroy nerve cells in the brain, are believed to be the primary reason for the onset of Alzheimer's. Plaques are protein beta-amyloid deposits that gather in the gaps between nerve cells. Tangles, on the other hand, are proteins that accumulate inside the nerve cells. Tangles and plaques block the nerve cells, prohibiting them from communicating and surviving. According to research conducted by the National Institute on Aging, genes also have an important role in the development of this disease.
Looking for Tau Proteins? www.rPeptide.com/Tau-Proteins
Parkinson's Research: Recombinant High Quality Tau Proteins ...
Warning Signs
Signs of Alzheimer's disease include memory loss or dementia, trouble performing normal daily tasks, personality changes, difficulty communicating verbally, forgetting the time and day, misplacing things, using poor judgment, and looking disheveled.
Developmental Stages
Alzheimer's occurs in three stages: early-stage, middle-stage and late-stage, according to the National Caregiver Alliance.
During the early stage, people normally overlook the initial signs as the typical aging process. As the disease progresses, symptoms that may be noticed include difficulty with language, disorientation, signs of aggression and lack of interest in day-to-day activities.
In the second stage, problems become obvious. Forgetting the names of loved ones, needing assistance with personal hygiene, paranoia, wandering, hoarding and experiencing hallucinations may become common occurrences.
During the late stage, Alzheimer's victims are totally dependent on others and completely inactive. At this stage, patients have difficulty eating, walking and understanding events. There is also the possibility of being confined to a bed or a wheelchair.
During the early stage, people normally overlook the initial signs as the typical aging process. As the disease progresses, symptoms that may be noticed include difficulty with language, disorientation, signs of aggression and lack of interest in day-to-day activities.
In the second stage, problems become obvious. Forgetting the names of loved ones, needing assistance with personal hygiene, paranoia, wandering, hoarding and experiencing hallucinations may become common occurrences.
During the late stage, Alzheimer's victims are totally dependent on others and completely inactive. At this stage, patients have difficulty eating, walking and understanding events. There is also the possibility of being confined to a bed or a wheelchair.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease requires a careful assessment of a person's mental and physical state. Input from caregiver(s) or relatives plays a vital role in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. The doctor needs to study the patient's medical history and make some physical diagnoses. A complete confirmation of Alzheimer's disease is possible only after the patient has undergone brain imaging, neurological examinations, physical examinations and diagnostic tests.
Treatment
A proven cure for Alzheimer's is still not available, according to the Alzheimer's Association. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a few drugs that help people living with the condition. These drugs help tackle the disease in the second and final stages and control the behavioral abnormalities for months. The drugs regulate the neurotransmitters, which stabilize memory, thinking and speech capabilities. These drugs also help ease other symptoms, such as anxiety, aggression and sleeplessness.
No comments:
Post a Comment