SYMTOPS, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S
Alzheimer’s disease can be a very disturbing situation for family and friends that have loved ones that are infected with this disease. Being able to diagnosis Alzheimer’s disease can be done somewhat accurately within a 75%-97% range based on a clinical source. These sources use special tools to help test for Alzheimer’s one of those tools consist of “monitoring short and long-term memory” (Griffith, 2002).
The tools that are used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can help show symptoms that lead towards disabilities that could affect how one can react to problem solving or to other numerous problems that end up becoming defective when the disease gets worse.
When time requires you to get an early diagnostic done it can be beneficial in the long run a good example of this is that it can delay being placed in a nursing home. Most families look at early diagnosis with a sense of denial to accept that one of their family members has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease but later accept it and are being to prepare for out...
Alzheimer’s disease is like many other diseases; early detection is best because deterioration of the brain cells can be delayed. (Greutzner, H) Alzheimer’s disease has a tremendous effect on the lives of those who live with the disease. Forgetfulness is just one of the symptoms that Alzheimer’s disease causes. Alzheimer’s disease ranks as the most common cause of dementia in the elderly population.
The second view advocates the merits of research: AD research cannot be done without AD patients in all the stages of their disease. This is an indubitable fact, because how else can one track the development of the disease (especially the characteristic biological changes)? By invoking the argument of scientific progress and the possibility of finding a cure, the participation of Alzheimer’s disease patients in research is no longer a matter of possibility but of absolute necessity.
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is not an exact science. Certain tests are completed to assist in the diagnosis. These tests include; mental status testing, neurological exam and thorough medical history, physical tests are also completed.
Memory plays a significant role in the everyday lives of people of all ages. It allows them to recall information and remember skills that were learned in the past. Memory also organizes past information to help people make current and future decisions. However, imagine forgetting the names of close family members or not having the ability to find your keys every time you want to leave the house. These are some of the struggles that people with Alzheimer’s disease face daily. Alzheimer’s disease was first identified by German neurologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906, and was discovered to have an overpowering effect on explicit memory loss (Gruetzner, 1988). There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease – early onset and late onset. Early onset occurs in patients who are diagnosed before the age of 65 whereas late onset occurs in patients who are diagnosed after the age of 65. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, short-term memory is often lost. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, problems with long-term memory begin to develop, in addition to short-term memory impairments. Although a lot is known about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, the cause has not been conclusively identified. However, as research continues, new theories about the cause of Alzheimer’s disease are being proposed. This has led to a controversy over whether Alzheimer’s disease is caused by genetics or environmental influences (Gruetzner, 1988).
People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory, keeping track of their belongings, keeping up with plans, remembering appointments or travel dates. Many dementias are progressive. This means that symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse with time. Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are diagnosed based on careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior related to each
Doctors need a sure way to diagnose the disease before treatment or studies can be done. The diagnosis is an autopsy of brain tissue examined under a microscope. In addition, medical history, a physical exam, and mental status tests are used for diagnosis (Posen, 1995). Often, tests are done to rule out other potential causes of the dementia. This allows the identification of other causes of thinking and behavioral changes to be made before concluding that the patient has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The tests that are requested to be done include CT and MRI scans to rule out strokes or brain tumors which could account for change in memory and behavior; thyroid and psychological tests which can also detect thinking and behavior problems (Posen, 1995).
People who have Alzheimer’s disease are affected by short term memory loss. With all the research and attention being given to Alzheimer’s disease, it is hopeful that a treatment to cure short term memory loss will be found. I do not personally know anyone with Alzheimer’s disease, and it is hard to imagine having the disease myself or someone I care for deeply having the disease. It would be very heartbreaking for me to have any of my loved ones not to remember who I am from day to
Alzheimer’s disease progresses at a very slow rate. Changes in the brain may begin to develop as much as twenty years before diagnosis [2] (Figure 1a). Mild to moderate Alzheimer’s (Figure 1b) may last two to ten years [2]. In this stage, there is very mild cognitive impairment including memory lapses in association with familiar words or location of objects...
There are three stages towards Alzheimer’s and one should be aware of the important signs and symptoms. For instance, one should be aware of co...
Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed before age 65, although rare, and is caused by a mutation in 3 known genes. About 5 percent of those who are under 65 and possess the ailment have AD in their family history. Given that the symptoms of AD are caused by plaque in the brain, causing loss of nerve cells that help the body communicate with the brain, mutations to these genes; amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, and presenilin 2 cause a excessive production of certain proteins (primarily a B-42 form of amyloid protein), and therefore spark an excessive growth of plaque cells which are toxic to the neurons of the brain. For those cases of Alzheimer’s that occur after age 65, a genetic mutation has yet to be proven, although some may be linked, to the fact that a difference may cause an increased chance of developing the ailment. Whatever the case may be for patients over 65 years old, the disease and its symptoms are caused by neurofibrillary tangles of almyloid plaques. It is impossible for someone to test positive for Alzheimer’s Disease, because the only way to determine an affirmative case i...
There is no quick and easy way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. In fact a diagnosis can only be conclusively arrived at following autopsy of the ...
The Medline Plus also suggest that studies show that early discovery may be possible, but more study is needed before methods can be relied upon to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in everyday medical practice.
Alzheimer’s disease is rising at a very high rate. “The number of new cases per year is estimated at 360,000 equating to 980 new cases per day or 40 new cases every hour” (Cummings and Cole 1) This evidence shows that an increasing number of people will discover the effects of a cognitive impairment that will most likely be due to Alzheimer’s disease. As people age, their risk of being diagnosed with this disease increases ...
There are four main types of dementia with AD being the most widespread form. It ac...
Mykenzie Moyle Ms. Douglass English I, P.4 16 May 2014 Research Paper Alzheimer’s Disease is formed in the brain but, yet, has no known cure or treatment. Alzheimer’s disease has many symptoms. Memory is the biggest symptom along with mood swings and having a hard time keeping up with a conversation. A patient with Alzheimer’s goes through 7 stages; The first stage, which is misplacing things or forgetting what something is used for, second stage, they start losing more of their memory and they begin to forget where they are or what they are doing, the third, fourth and fifth begin to mentally decline and need someone to take care of them and worsen over time.