Risk Factors For Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, accounting for 65–70% of all cases (Jellinger, Janetzky, Attems, & Kienzl, 2008). The other dementias are of the Parkinson 's group, the fronto-temporal group and the vascular group. The total worldwide yearly costs for the treatment and care of patients suffering from dementia are estimated to be around 250 billion US dollars. The lifetime risk for AD between the ages of 65 and 100 is 33% for men and 45% for women with an annual increase of 1–2% in the seventh decade to almost 60% in the 10th decade with doubling every 5 years (Jellinger et al., 2008). AD is incurable, and thus represents a major public health problem. AD represents a challenge to humanity due to its relatively recent discovery, progressive nature of the illness, and complex diagnosis.

The disease called Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States (Weiner, 1987). It is estimated that the elderly population will double between now and 2030. During this period, the number of elderly will grow by an average of 2.8% annually (U.S. Census Bureau, 2001). By 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s is estimated to range from 11.3 million to 16 million (Alzheimer’s Association, 2005). These startling numbers should prompt an examination into one of the leading causes of death among this group of people. Understanding what Alzheimer’s is and the known causes of the disease are a good starting point. For those who have aging family members, knowing the risk factors and warning

Certain qualities are consistently observed in the Alzheimer’s victim. These dysfunction’s, though, are not exclusive to Alzheimer’s disease. Consequently, declaring Alzheimer’s by these parameters is a matter of degree rather than an absolute. Characteristic dysfunction’s have been noted in Alzheimer’s victims, but the degree and severity of these varies from patient to patient. Thus, evaluation of the patient’s mental status must be made based on the sum, rather than a single characteristic. Memory is one of the first noticed deficiencies, beginning typically with the recent and short term memory, and progressing from there as the disease grows more severe. In addition, deterioration in language skills, attention span, praxis (performance of an action), and visuospatial skills are commonly seen. Also observed are changes in the actions and personality of the Alzheimer’s victim. These include changes in mood, motor activities, activities of daily living, socialization skills, psychotic disturbances, vegetative symptomology, and rise in anxiety levels. Again, the

In this article we discuss the types of behavioural and psychological symptoms that are appropriate for intervention, and then examine the current use of non-pharmacological interventions. The article is intended to apply to all common late-onset dementias and to no subtype in particular.

Alzheimer’s disease is a prominent brain disease that effects a massive amount of individuals in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases, with no chance of being cured, prevented or decelerating over time (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). AD is the most well-known form of dementia, causing complications in brain function in the areas of memory, thinking, and behavior (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). In an effort to gain a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers create new knowledge about the disease, which is then distributed to the public. The goal in this information disbursement is to find new and inventive ways to treat AD, prevent AD from progressing at such a rapid pace, and aid in the quality of life in those diagnosed with AD as well as caregivers and medical professionals providing treatment to individuals’ with AD.

In addition to these psychological ramifications the caregiver also can suffer physical ailments, using more prescription medications and more health care providers than a non-care-giving counterpart (Greenwood, 2012). The spouse with dementia often needs constant care and supervision but is not necessarily in need of

Dementia, defined by the Alzheimer’s Association, is the overall term for diseases and conditions characterized by a decline in memory or other thinking skills that affects a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. More than 250,000 Americans will develop dementia (including Alzheimer 's) when they are sixty-five or older and at eighty-five the risk of developing Alzheimer’s is fifty percent. Since this disease was found in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer, there have been thousands of dollars, research, and clinical trials put into finding a cure for this horrible disease. This literature review examines the effects of the type of Dementia known as

Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disorder that damages and eventually destroys brain cells affecting memory, changes in thinking, and other mental functions. In addition, it is the most common form of dementia and generally develops slowly and gradually gets worse as brain function declines and cells start to degenerate and die (4). In 1906, Alois Alzheimer, a German physician noticed psychological changes in some individuals so he further observed their brains during an autopsy and noticed a significant difference in brain size along with abnormal deposits in the brain tissue (1). Today Alzheimer’s is considered an epidemic, but is spreading rapidly on a global scale making it a global problem too (2). Unfortunately, Alzheimer's is fatal,

“Increasing age is the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Your risk increases greatly after you reach the age of 65. Nearly half of those older than 85 have Alzheimer’s disease” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). “Sex is a risk factor because women may be more likely than men to develop Alzheimer’s disease, because women live longer” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). “Family history and genetics are a risk factor for getting the disease because your risk of developing Alzheimer’s appears to be somewhat higher if a first-degree relative, for example, your parent or sibling, has the disease” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). The final risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease is past head trauma. “People who’ve had a severe head trauma or repeated head trauma appear to have a greater risk of Alzheimer’s disease” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). “In US, the Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death overall and among those aged 65 and above, it is the 5th leading cause of death. While the deaths from major diseases, like heart disease have decreased, the death due to Alzheimer's has increased by more than 60 percent between 2000 and 2012. The total number of patients having Alzheimer's disease was 5.4 million in 2012. Out of this, the people aged 65 and above accounted for 5.2 million and at least 200,000 patients were younger than 65 with early-onset of Alzheimer's. It has been observed that almost 1 in 8 people coming under the 65 age group are patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Amongst the population in the 80 age group, almost 45 percent have been detected with Alzheimer’s disease” (M2 Press Wire,

Alzheimer's Disease is a condition that affects 50% of the population over the age of eighty five, which equals four million Americans each year. It is becoming an important and high-profile issue in today's society for everyone. There are rapid advancements being made in the fight against this disease now more than ever, and the purpose of this essay is to educate the public on the background as well as the new discoveries. There are many new drugs that are being tested and studied every day which slow down, and may even halt the progress of the disease.

The dilemma of approved drugs for Alzheimer's only mask the symptoms of the disease, but do not treat the primary disease or many medications delay the progression and also cause side effects in a substantial number of treated patients. A novel Alzheimer's drug would actually treat the underlying disease; either delay or inhibit cell damage which ultimately leads to the emphasis of the associated symptoms.

Measurements taken from a worldwide patients during clinical studies. The authors reports that more than 45 million older adults are predisposed to developing dementia. These numbers are expected to triple within the next twenty-five years. Alzheimer’s disease is responsible for sixty to eighty percent of dementia cases. The authors assert that observational studies suggests risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) levels are showed in mid-life and older adults. The United States National Institutes of Health admits that tobacco, oppression and diabetes mellitus, poor nutrition all increases the risk of deteriorating cognitive reasoning. Taken from a wide-range systemic evaluation the authors suggests that around half of the Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is mostly common in middle aged people it is called “the disease of the old”. Although it affects people in their 30s and 40s most are not aware of the disease. One in ten people age of 65 has the disease, and half of the people over 85. The disease is being studied to identify the methods of prevention or a cure. Probable cause is that individuals who have acquired the disease develop behavioral changes and poor judgement as a result of a memory loss. All individuals who have Alzheimer’s their family members carry the burden physically, emotionally and

Alzheimer's disease is officially listed as the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is the fifth-leading cause of death for people age 65 and older (Alzheimer’s, 2016). I care for patients daily with Alzheimer’s, and it something dear to my heart. I’ve watched residents go through the transformation and stages as the disease progresses. It is truly heart breaking to see a resident that no longer can recognize a loved one’s face or name. Drug therapy does not cure Alzheimer’s disease and the definite cause is still unknown, however it works to help with cognitive and behavioral symptoms. The drugs help to assist with making the quality of life better for individuals with the disease. There are other non-drug therapies that

Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder which causes dementia in the elderly and affects one in nine older adults. There is an estimated 5.2 million Americans diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States (Alzheimer’s Disease Program, Chronic Disease Branch Division for Disease Control and Prevention Services, Texas Department of State Health Services, 2013; Tiwari & Soni, 2014). Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the deterioration of memory and cognitive functions over time and usually results in complete incapacity and death of the patient within nine years (Tiwari & Soni, 2014). Currently, there is no or a treatment proven to prevent, or slow the progression