Millions of people in this country and around the world, suffer from the nightmare that is Alzheimer's disease. This disease takes it's toll not only on the victim but on their loved ones as well. No matter how young or old a person is at the onset of these diseases, the diagnosis is a devastating, life-altering blow. The future, once rosy and full of promise, takes on a different set of colors, bleak and gray. How sad and cruel is the disease, that so many people finish out their lives without memories of what they have accomplished, unable to recognize…
The five biggest risk factors, as stated by Dr. Oz, are the following 1. Age The biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s is age. The chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s increase steadily as we age. Right now, the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every year after the age of 65. About half of people who are 85 and older have Alzheimer’s. 2. Genetics Another risk factor is genetics. There is a rare form of Alzheimer’s called Familial Alzheimer’s, which always begins well before the age of 65 (typically in the 40s and 50s) and runs in families, that is autosomal…
One of the greatest challenges physicians face is responding to the older patient with memory loss who fears he or she has Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, you and your physician need to know the facts: What’s the difference between the memory loss of normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease? What tests can be performed to assess memory? If it’s Alzheimer’s, how does the physician tell you? What treatments are available? What else can the doctor do to help you or your family? What Alzheimer's clinical trials are available in the area? What resources are available to the family?
The Brandon Sun reports that the U.S. government has put in place the USA's first ever National Alzheimer's Plan. The primary objective is to develop a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. The secondary objective is centered on finding ways to provide more effective day-to-day care for dementia symptoms. Alzheimer's is a disease that attacks the brain. It is the most common form of dementia. However, there is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. The Washington Times notes that at this stage the plan has not been presented in detail of how it…
Is it aging or something else? Sometimes it can be hard to tell — that’s why experts say we should all be aware of the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Symptoms can include*: – Memory loss that affects day-to-day function. – Difficulty performing familiar tasks. – Problems with language. – Disorientation of time and place. – Poor or decreased judgment. (This symptom can be tricky because a person with Alzheimer’s might not realize they have a health problem that needs attention.) – Problems with abstract thinking. – Misplacing things. – Changes in mood and behaviour. – Changes in…
There isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, so why does waiting make a difference? The top reason for regret was not being able to access treatment options sooner — options that could help deal the symptoms and potentially slow the progression of the disease. Such treatments could help preserve cognitive functioning and allow people to remain independent longer states an article in Fiftyplus.com. Another reason respondents wished they had known sooner was so they could prepare. Unfortunately, when many patients do get a diagnosis it’s too late for them to make decisions concerning their future — or to be legally,…
Wishful thinking isn’t a treatment option states Fiftyplus.com. We know early detection and treatment are crucial for any disease and Alzheimer’s disease is no exception. While there isn’t a cure, finding the disease in its earlier stages means better hope for treatment — but it also gives families more time to find the support they need and plan for the future. Unfortunately a new survey warns that many people aren’t heeding the warning signs of Alzheimer’s — and they’re not seeking help soon enough. The survey was commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Society, as part of its Let’s face it! [1]…
Recovered memories can be as revealing to families as to patients. Today's mobile technology is prompting offspring to embark on projects documenting their parents' lives before dementia takes its course states an article in the USA Today. Recording life stories is one way for patients and families to foster and hold onto memories. "Reminiscing is the success of people with dementia," states the Alzheimer's Association. Evoking memories can be as casual as asking a parent to tell a story, or as formal as a professionally produced video. However, the extent of the project depends on the patient. Memories can be…
Dementia is a generalized term used to refer to brain-related loss of memory, communication and daily skills that hamper a person’s ability to live independently. As dementia progresses, the person’s self care habits decline and there are definite mood and personality changes. Loss of these skills becomes more pronounced as the dementia progresses. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that accounts for 60 percent to 80 percent of dementia cases states an article in the Bismarck Tribune. What causes dementia? Dementia is caused by the destruction of brain cells. Much is still unknown about how or why people develop…
“Sundowning” refers to an increased state of anxiety and confusion at the end of the day that often occurs in people with Alzheimer’s, states Carol Bradley Bursack. There have been many theories about the behavior. Some professionals think the person is used to a normal work day, therefore as the day ends, he or she is trying to go home from work or accomplish something that is related to wrapping up the day. Others think that people with AD perceive their environments differently as the light begins to fade toward sundown and that change causes sensory confusion that may make…
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