Alzheimer’s: The Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder that is found in older adults. One of the most famous American painters, Norman Rockwell, yielded to Alzheimer’s after a long and illustrious career. Interestingly enough, Rockwell’s (cited) paintings are now used sometimes in dementia therapy because of the memories and nostalgia they elicit. Can you imagine that one day the very thing you loved to do, would be helping others remember their lost memories and that you succumbed to that very same disease. This disease is a physical disease that affects the brain. There are proteins that build up in the brain to form structures called 'plaques ' and 'tangles ' that ultimately leads to loss connections of certain nerves cells and the loss of brain tissue. Alzheimer 's disease, as of yet, does not have a cure. I want to focus on the disease itself, medications for treatment, signs and symptoms and the alternatives to medicine. Also, I would like to focus on the many stages that the disease takes a person through. The earliest and most common sign of Alzheimer 's is the deterioration in memory. This memory loss affects recent memories more than long term memory. This would also lead to a short attention span and often losing interest in long conversations. Moreover, disorientation develops and those with Alzheimer 's may even get lost on their own street. The affected person also may not speak grammatically correct and talk in a child-like manner. They may substitute forgotten words for unclear descriptions or make up new words. There is no cure for Alzheimer 's disease. So far, there are only a few drugs that can slow down the effects of it. Donepezil (Aricept) [C] is the main drug for the treatment of... ... middle of paper ... ...orget about good old fashion one on one therapy with a specialist. So, in closing, when people realize that Alzheimer 's disease is a serious disease, just like Breast Cancer or even HIV, then maybe we all will start to pay attention. Our elderly are just as important in our lives as any other generation. We should not just shrug off one of our loved ones when they forget something significant and blame it on old age. It just might be the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The reason why there hasn 't been a cure upfront for this disease is because scientists try to attract grants by working on a problem that people think is more serious and controversial than Alzheimer’s disease. If there was as much attention that was paid to Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Erectile Dysfunction or even AIDS as there was in Alzheimer’s disease, then maybe there will be an answer.
While at the present time little is known about the causes of Alzheimer’s and there is no existence of a cure, current research combined with the latest in technology is hopeful for a breakthrough. Not only are new drugs being developed, but also the possibility of vaccines are on the horizon. Keeping up with the latest clinical trials, findings and treatment options can be a challenge, but doing so can arm patients and caregivers with a powerful tool. Only through education and progress in research can this deadly disease become extinct.
Alzheimer’s has no current cure, but there treatments available for the symptoms. Treatments cannot stop alzheimer’s from developing but they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve their live quality. Medicines like Cholinesterase inhibitors, and Memantine are to help with memory.Drugs don’t consistently help relieve the symptoms, so there are also Non -drug treatments, like managing their environment and establishing a routine to help minimize stress and anxiety. In the first stage of Alzheimer the person phases a lot of emotional stages that are very challenging and distressing. In early stages people experience irritability,Anxiety and depression. “What are the complications?” is a question commonly asked , and they are an infinite number of complications. Let start with depression, most people become depressed when they realize that they are losing their memories and abilities to do the basic things. The second complication i would say is illness or medicine side effects. This disease makes communicating harder for the person, they might be in pain but not been able to tell the nurse. Falling is another one, alzheimer can cause changes in balance and coordination, which might led to broken bones , head trauma or other injuries.Pneumonia and other infections, Alzheimer 's can also cause a loss of body functions , like swallowing or bladder control. This can cause for the person
...hed and streamlined to allow for earlier diagnosis. In the case of tertiary prevention, the pharmaceutical companies have a huge financial incentive to create a cure for Alzheimer’s but that is not enough. More government funded research should be dedicated towards finding methods to delay or cure Alzheimer’s disease. The baby boomer generation has already entered their 60’s. As people live longer, as a result of new treatments for common killers such as heart disease and cancer, the chances that they will succumb to Alzheimer’s increases. Failing to find preventative or curative measures will be costly. On a personal level, Alzheimer’s disease slowly attacks cognitive function-the higher thought processes; individuals degenerate into infantile dependents. The cost of caring for increasing numbers of such dependents will be a burden on both family and society.
Alzheimer’s disease is a horrific disease that slowly can damage all the normal functions of the human mind; functions like memory, language, and movement that we all take for granted. Alzheimer’s disease is rarely discussed in the public forum, because of the nature of the disease. This essay aimed to breakdown the fundamentals of the disease so that one would know what the disease truly is, what causes this disease, and what the effects of the disease are. Alzheimer’s disease deserves to known about and talk about so that future generations will not have to see the awful effects this disease has. We most definitely are on the right track.
In conclusion, even though patients with Alzheimer’s disease live through a daily struggle, it can be managed if certain precautions are taken. Learning to cope with having Alzheimer’s and taking care of another with Alzheimer’s is very important for recovery and preserving the mental state of a possessor. Within the near future, finding a cure and other treatments will soon be possible. Lastly, although there is no current cure for this disease, by becoming educated it can be conquered in order for a patient to live to their fullest potential.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of death in America and there are currently more than five million people living with the disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). What may be most troubling about these numbers is the fact that Alzheimer’s disease has no current cure. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurocognitive disorder and a common form of dementia that will affects a person’s memory, way of thinking and their behavior (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). AD typically develops slowly and the more time a person has the disease the worse the symptoms will become. AD in its later stages becomes so severe that people with the disease cannot even do simple daily tasks. Although there is no cure there are still ways to prevent, delay, and possibly treat the disease.
- Alzheimer’s: disease is a physical disease of the brain with progressive damage that causes dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events such as short term memory. The disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self-care, and behavioural issues. (Smith, G., Del Sala, S., logie, R. & Maylor, E.
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia which is a brain disorder that impairs mental functioning. Dementia attacks the part of the brain which controls memory, language, and thought. It makes everyday tasks like remembering to brushing your teeth, or to pay your bills next to impossible to do, which is why so many people who are diagnosed with this disease are in complete care. This disease has different phases, the first being slight forgetfulness and then the persons emotions may heighten as well as language impairment, violent outbursts, loss of bladder control and from there it keeps getting worse until complete dysfunction of the brain occurs and eventually death, which most of the time is the result of infection.
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia, “a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities (Shenk 14)”. Alzheimer’s is a progressive and irreversible brain disorder that slowly destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, make judgments, communicate, and accomplish daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or aggravation, as well as illusions or hallucinations.
Scientists know that Alzheimer disease is characterized by a gradual spread of sticky plaques and clumps of tangled fibers that disrupt the organization of nerve cells in the brain. However , a definite cause, prevention, or cause has not been found.
(Alzheimer’s disease). Scientist are doing the very best they can to find more information on Alzheimer’s. Everyday, scientist grow closer and closer to finding a cure.
Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It affects many people of different age groups, usually older people though. Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, and can lead to long-term care if symptoms are bad enough. People suffering from Alzheimer’s are directly affected in their memories and thought processes, due to the damage in their brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system. The brain becomes inflamed and the cells of the brain being to undergo apoptosis, or cell death. As of now there is no permanent fix or cure for this disease. It is extremely debilitating to the people it affects and is always eventually fatal. These are all reasons to do everything we can to find a cure or any preventative measure to defend the body against this disease.
Alzheimer’s disease affects thousands of people and families everyday. The neurodegenerative disease slowly perpetuates over several years, with the “gradual slowing of mental and cognitive capabilities. Uusually developing in mid-to-late adulthood, usually after 60, Robert McEntarffer and Allyson Weseley stated in the Barron’s AP Psychology textbook, “it’s a form of dementia, a deterioration of cognitive abilities, often seen most dramatically in memory” (AP Psychology, 2016 pg. 228). It usually affects people sporadically, but a genetic link has been noted to influence the likelihood of inheriting the disease. According to an Encyclopedia Britannica article, “about 10 percent of those who develop the disease are younger than 60 years of
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 with keeping 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.The sixth stage they begin to have an even more difficult time going to the bathroom and cleaning themselves or using electronic devices such as phones or televisions. The final stage, at which the long goodbye comes to an end, they now are mentally and physically gone. Some doctors prescribe medication to the patients to help deal with some of the symptoms.