As we age, our brains slow down, and many of us can not learn at the same pace as when we were younger. Neurons, the conductors of information in the brain, talk to each other and perform tasks such as sight, hearing, or smell. These neurons need to be free of plaque in order to successfully transmit information.
Plaque, which fits the same concept as that of its use in dentistry, eventually builds up on the neurons, making it difficult for the neurons to fire and communicate with one another. As a result, connections in the brains are disrupted in areas critical to memory and concentration, which will lead to the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
It may be surprising to some people that Alzheimer's is not just contracted by individuals over the age of 65. In early onset Alzheimer's disease, persons in their 30's, 40's, and 50's develop this disease, although they make up only about 10% of the sufferers. The majority of those with Alzheimer's are above retirement age, with the number of those obtaining the illness expected to quadruple by 2050.
Only a medical professional can make a qualified diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease; however, one can recognize signs such as a loss of memory or decreased concentration in a loved one. Due to the degenerative nature of this illness, an individual suffering from Alzheimer's may not respond well to the idea that they are ill and need support from their family.
Treatment options for Alzheimer's disease include psychotropic drugs, which can help manage aggressive, as those with moderate to severe forms of the illness can experience bouts of violence, due to an erosion of impulse control. There is currently no cure for this illness; however, the future looks bright, and there are multiple research programs being conducted around the world.
Pharmaceutical medications can have an effect in alleviating the physical and mental symptoms of the disorder, but these are temporary and not a cure. Other options such as therapy can help improve memory and concentration in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Learning about Alzheimer's can be a very involved and demanding process, but a little information goes a long way in unmasking this serious illness. With the proper treatment choices and the early identification of Alzheimer's disease, this disorder can be managed successfully.
My mother was about 65 when she first started to fool around, and lost her mind. You may think I am too hard when I say what happened like this, but this is what happened. She lost her mind when the Alzheimers disease started to destroy her brain. It is tragic when it happens, and even though it happens to many people each year, I did not know much about it before it happened to my dear mother. First I thought she had got some psychic problems, that her nerves needed some help. But after taking her to hospital, she got the diagnosis Alzheimers Disease. She, herself, was the first person to recognize that something was wrong. The first symtom, as forgetting, she managed to hide from us for months. Not knowing where to find things, or put things back, in her own house, was a terrible experience for her. Things like not remembering how to brush your teeth or how to tie a shoe become increasingly more difficult. But the worst was when she “saw" people who were not there. Hallucinating and anxiety become a big part of her last years, and it was terrible to be a witness of what was happening to her. The end result is severe brain damage. There is no cure for Alzheimers disease. Some drugs are used to slow down the process of the disease in some patients. Some medications are used to treat the symptom of the disease which can help to make patients feel better. Alzheimers disease is a disease that is different from patient to patient. It begins slowly, and can take many years to be a real problem for some, for others, it is much faster. Some Alzheimers disease patient will live only eight years from the time they are diagnosed. Others can live up to twenty years. My mother left me more or less 2 years before she died. She could have lived longer, but she stopped eating, would not live anymore. Until her last days she had clear moments where she knew me, and was very sad and sorry for what was happening to her. So was I. So am I. Alzheimers disease is a dreadful disease. Those who get it need to have help and understanding night and day, complete care, for years. Not everybody has loved ones to take care of them.
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