5 Important Points of Alzheimer's Disease

5 Important points of Alzheimer's Disease

What is Alzheimer? A disease involving loss of mental functions resulting from brain tissue changes a form a senile dementia. It causes large numbers of nerve cells in the brain to die. This affects your ability to remember things and think clearly. First symptoms are impaired memory which is followed by impaired thought and speech and finally complete helplessness. Effects people from the age 60's and up.

Cause: Scientist are still trying to fully understand the cause of Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer disease is caused by a buildup of proteins in the brain called amyloid. It is likely that the causes include genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. There are a number of behaviors which may signal that a person might be in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's disease. Here is a list of warning signs: (1) difficulty with familiar tasks, (2) slipping job performance, (3) language difficulties, (4) confusion of place and time, (5) lack of judgment, (6) problems in abstract thinking, (7) misplacing objects, (8) mood fluctuations, (9) changes in personality, and (10) lack of initiative

Disease begins:. The disease begins in the brain. The amyloid than appears as a long protein that is then cut by enzymes into shorter fragments that become molecularly sticky and clump together forming a plaque. Once the plaque forms, the proteins that maintain the structural integrity of the neutral highway break down, leaving the equivalent of potholes that interrupts the electrical signals traveling along the nerve. With this communication flow disrupted the nerve cells start to die. The result is a brain full of dead dying neurons and the shutdown of neural connection leads to a drop in cognitive function.

Diagnosed: A definitive diagnosis for Alzheimer's is possible only after a patients death with an autopsy of the brain. Patients are given a probable diagnosis based on their performance on memory and recall tests and reports from family members. The Alzheimer's association decided to update their criteria to help doctors diagnose Alzheimer by defining three distinct patient groups: those who are symptom free but at high risk, those with mild cognitive impairment and those with Alzheimer dementia.

Treatment & Cures: There is no cure for Alzheimer disease and no treatment to reverse its progression, there are some medicines available that can help treat behavioral symptoms for people in the early and middle stage of the disease . Type of medicines that can help prevent some symptom from worsening form limited of time is Namenda and Donepezil. Research suggests patients certain lifestyle factors, such as a nutritious diet, exercise, social engagement, and mentally stimulating to help control their Alzheimer. They are also still trying to determine the actual cause, treatment,