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What is Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)?
Dementia is a gradual decline in brain function beyond what is normally expected from aging. Some dementia is caused by, but is not limited to, Binswanger’s, Pick’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s disease. The most common form of dementia in the elderly is Alzheimer’s disease. Initially Alzheimer's disease effects thought control, memory, behavior, and language. Eventually, the disease causes loss of mobility, speech, and ultimately death. It is estimated that 4.5 million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and by the age of 85, nearly half of the elderly may have the disease. Although many may suffer from this disease, it is not a normal part of aging.
Causes of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is caused from progressive deterioration of brain cells but the cause of this corrosion is still unknown. Although those who will develop Alzheimer’s disease cannot be concretely determined, scientists have established age, family history, and genetics as uncontrolled risk factors for developing the disease.
Age is the greatest known risk factor. After the age of 65, the number of people that develop Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years. Women also have a greater risk to developing the disease, this may be simply because women generally live longer than men.
Family history is another uncontrolled risk factor. Research shows that individuals who have a parent or siblings with Alzheimer’s disease are more likely to develop the disease themselves. The more family members that have the disease, the greater your chances are of developing it yourself. Inherited genes may contribute to the family history risk. The inheritance of a specific gene that makes the protein apolipoprotein (ApoE) has been identified to put one in jeopardy of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
There are also some controlled risk factors that might contribute to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Serious head injuries, an unhealthy brain, and an unhealthy heart have all shown in research studies to sometimes increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
· More than normal memory loss
· Language and communication problems
· Disorientation in normally familiar areas
· Misplacing things in unusual places (for example, putting clothes is a dishwasher)
· Changes in behavior and/or personality
· Mood swings for no apparent reason
· Difficulty carrying out complex tasks
· Difficulty with reasoning, thinking, and learning
Simple changes in memory and behavior are normal as an individual gets older. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are beyond normal and are not a normal part of aging. Only a health care professional can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. If you or a loved one is experiencing Alzheimer’s warning signs or if you have any questions, contact your doctor.
Click here to view and print out “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease” from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Stages of AD
Doctors and researchers have charted a number of stages in relation to the typical progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Click here to view and print out “Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease” from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Treatments
Alzheimer’s disease has no cure and is irreversible; however, certain treatments may help cognitive functions and many symptoms patients experience. Doctors may prescribe medication that can help manage declining functions such as memory and thinking. Other medications may help improve an individual’s behavior in depression, anxiousness, psychosis, agitation, and/or apathy. The drugs do not cure any patient, but they may help slow brain function decline and improve an individual’s quality of living.
There are many non-drug treatments as well that can improve an individual’s quality of life and/or conserve as much cognitive function for as long as possible. Some of these may treatments include: exercise, providing a comfortable living environment, instituting remedial activities, and caregivers learning to correctly communicate.
Dementia is a gradual decline in brain function beyond what is normally expected from aging. Some dementia is caused by, but is not limited to, Binswanger’s, Pick’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s disease. The most common form of dementia in the elderly is Alzheimer’s disease. Initially Alzheimer's disease effects thought control, memory, behavior, and language. Eventually, the disease causes loss of mobility, speech, and ultimately death. It is estimated that 4.5 million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and by the age of 85, nearly half of the elderly may have the disease. Although many may suffer from this disease, it is not a normal part of aging.
Causes of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is caused from progressive deterioration of brain cells but the cause of this corrosion is still unknown. Although those who will develop Alzheimer’s disease cannot be concretely determined, scientists have established age, family history, and genetics as uncontrolled risk factors for developing the disease.
Age is the greatest known risk factor. After the age of 65, the number of people that develop Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years. Women also have a greater risk to developing the disease, this may be simply because women generally live longer than men.
Family history is another uncontrolled risk factor. Research shows that individuals who have a parent or siblings with Alzheimer’s disease are more likely to develop the disease themselves. The more family members that have the disease, the greater your chances are of developing it yourself. Inherited genes may contribute to the family history risk. The inheritance of a specific gene that makes the protein apolipoprotein (ApoE) has been identified to put one in jeopardy of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
There are also some controlled risk factors that might contribute to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Serious head injuries, an unhealthy brain, and an unhealthy heart have all shown in research studies to sometimes increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
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Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:
· More than normal memory loss
· Language and communication problems
· Disorientation in normally familiar areas
· Misplacing things in unusual places (for example, putting clothes is a dishwasher)
· Changes in behavior and/or personality
· Mood swings for no apparent reason
· Difficulty carrying out complex tasks
· Difficulty with reasoning, thinking, and learning
Simple changes in memory and behavior are normal as an individual gets older. Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are beyond normal and are not a normal part of aging. Only a health care professional can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. If you or a loved one is experiencing Alzheimer’s warning signs or if you have any questions, contact your doctor.
Click here to view and print out “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease” from the Alzheimer’s Association.
top of page
Stages of AD
Doctors and researchers have charted a number of stages in relation to the typical progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Click here to view and print out “Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease” from the Alzheimer’s Association.
Treatments
Alzheimer’s disease has no cure and is irreversible; however, certain treatments may help cognitive functions and many symptoms patients experience. Doctors may prescribe medication that can help manage declining functions such as memory and thinking. Other medications may help improve an individual’s behavior in depression, anxiousness, psychosis, agitation, and/or apathy. The drugs do not cure any patient, but they may help slow brain function decline and improve an individual’s quality of living.
There are many non-drug treatments as well that can improve an individual’s quality of life and/or conserve as much cognitive function for as long as possible. Some of these may treatments include: exercise, providing a comfortable living environment, instituting remedial activities, and caregivers learning to correctly communicate.
top of page