There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and the course of the disease varies from individual to individual. According to Howard Crystal (2013), MD, different studies have shown that the disease progresses from 2 to 25 years, but for most patients it is usually in the 8 to 25 year range. Individuals do not die directly from the disease, but from problems with swallowing or walking. The patient can certainly live with the disease. For instance, most patients stay at home as long as someone else is around them and providing care. At the severe stage of the disease, patients cannot do math problems or play piano for enjoyment since they are likely to make mistakes. However, patients can read magazines or play sports such as tennis for entertainment. (Crystal, 2013). There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are certain drugs and/or non- drug treatments that can help patients with their cognitive and behavioral symptoms. The two most common drugs that are used to improve cognitive symptoms include cholinesterase inhibitors (Exelon, Cognex, Aricept) and mamantine (Namenda). (“Latest Medication for Memory Loss,” n.d.) Cholinesterase inhibitors are a group of drugs, which are used in the treatment plan for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors work by helping increase the amount of acetyl cholinesterase in the brain due to the limited amount of acetyl cholinesterase in Alzheimer’s disease. Acetyl cholinesterase specifically improves memory, which can cause an improvement in the behavior and activities one does daily. Additionally, Namenda is also a drug, which is usually used to treat patients that have moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Name... ... middle of paper ... ...ts for Alzheimer's & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_steps_to_diagnosis.asp Alzheimer's disease Tests and diagnosis - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic. (2013, January 19). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20023871 Recognizing Alzheimer’s Disease: Early Warning Signs & Diagnosis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/recognizing_diagnosing_alzheimers.htm LifeLabs - Test Information Directory - Homepage. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://tests.lifelabs.com/test_information.aspx?id=26970&view=reporting Wong, J. (2014, April 24). New research could be ‘game-changer’ for Alzheimer’s patients | Globalnews.ca. Retrieved from http://globalnews.ca/news/1289343/new-research-could-be-game-changer-for-alzheimers-patients/
The disease called Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States (Weiner, 1987). It is estimated that the elderly population will double between now and 2030. During this period, the number of elderly will grow by an average of 2.8% annually (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). By 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s is estimated to range from 11.3 million to 16 million (Alzheimer’s Association, 2005). These startling numbers should prompt an examination into one of the leading causes of death among this group of people. Understanding what Alzheimer’s is and the known causes of the disease are a good starting point. For those who have aging family members, knowing the risk factors and warning signs of Alzheimer’s can be beneficial to both the patient and his family. Finally, once the patient has been diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, a plan for treatment as well as providing the family and caregivers with a support system can help ease those involved through a very challenging, heartbreaking time.
...he fact that scientists can use it to understand what causes tangles and plaques in the brain of the patient and to discover new treatment drugs (Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 2005).
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...
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects cognitive function in the elderly population. The exact cause of the disease is unknown but may include genetic as well as environmental factors. A progression of specific neurological changes allows the progression of the disease. Short-term memory losses along with dementia are typical symptoms of the disease. A definite diagnosis of the disease currently can only be confirmed by an autopsy. The disease progresses in five stages that will vary with every patient. There is no current acceptable treatment to reverse or stop the progression of the disease.
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.
symptoms are not noticeable until the person with the disease reaches their middle years, approximately 30-50. The disease progresses rapidly once the first signs start showing. Within years the symptoms will get severely worse and the person’s quality of life will drastically decrease. Some of these symptoms include uncontrollable body movements, loss of mental stability, and loss of the ability to think. In the later years of the person’s life they will need assistance wit...
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).
"Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association." Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2014.
Everyday a new disease or treatment is being discovered. There are always many questions left unanswered and many answers that are still trying to be figured out. Doctors, along with medical treatment centers and every day people are trying to figure out what Alzheimer’s disease really is or what it is about. Alzheimer’s disease has many common symptoms and effects in both men and women. The common, but confused name for Alzheimer’s disease is Dementia. People commonly confuse these two names because of the effects or symptoms that relate back to the name. Not many people know exactly what Alzheimer’s disease is or what causes it. But there are significant warning signs that lead people to conclude that is it a sad uncontrollable disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that becomes more prevalent with age. Discovered by German psychologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906, it is associated with a memory loss, speech impediment, and dementia. In Canada alone, 500,000 people suffer from this terrible disease and the number of cases is predicted to double by 2031[7]. Worldwide, nearly 44 million people are believed to be experiencing Alzheimer’s disease and every 68 seconds, someone in the United States of America develops Alzheimer’s [8]. Alzheimer’s disease is also the sixth leading cause of death in North America. Furthermore, it is the only leading cause of death that is still increasing in prevalence. Not only fatal, Alzheimer’s is also severely crippling for all the friends and family that are affected by the patient. The memory loss and dementia that is directly linked to Alzheimer’s disease can cause the patient to forget the identity of their loved ones. For the people that have known the patient for many years, this can be very devastating. The long and terrible journey from an able-bodied and functioning member of society to a barely self-sufficient person is not a pleasant one. Undoubtedly, Alzheimer’s disease needs to be cured not only for those suffering from the affliction, but for their loved ones who have to endure the fateful journey as well.
Cummings, Jeffrey L., Cole, Greg. “Alzheimer Disease.” Journal of the American Medical Association. May 2002: 287-18. Health Source. EBSCOhost. Utica College Lib. 15 Apr 2005. .
Thesis/Preview Statement – Alzheimer’s disease (AD) causes a decline in brain function, it destroys healthy nerve cells. Today, we have discussed Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis of AD.
In this day and age, it seems as though almost everyone has experience a loved one taken away form a very serious disease known as Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is unbelievably devastating for everyone affected by it. This disease is causing major economical problems such as less occupancy in the nursing homes, and hospitals due to the rising population of elderly men and women being diagnosed with it everyday. Because there is not yet a cure for this disease and the percent of the population being diagnosed keeps rapidly rising, more time and money needs to go towards Alzheimer’s research.
Alzheimer's Disease Introduction to Alzheimer's Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain. It was first described by the German neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer (1864-1915). in 1905. This disease worsens with advancing age, although there is no evidence. that it is caused by the aging process.
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 ...