The And Its Effects On Alzheimer 's Disease Essay

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.

New evidence states a viral infection brings Alzheimer’s to light. A recent editorial from the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease shifts focus from immune system suppression to a viral infection. Dr. Douglas Kell, a professor at the University of Manchester’s School of Chemistry, claims, “We are saying there is an incontrovertible evidence that Alzheimer’s disease has a dormant microbial (viral) component. We can’t keep ignoring all of the evidence” (Knapton). Viruses are commonly found in the brains of elderly people. In most cases, they have all of their bodily functions. Around two-thirds of people will contract the viral infection herpes at some point in their lifetime. Herpes has been known to damage the central nervous system in humans.

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

Alzheimer’s Disease is a disease of the future. With the growing aged population, this disease, which affects primarily the elderly, will become of increasing relevance to the medical profession. Also, the high frequency of Alzheimer’s, and the high cost in labor, money, and material of caring for its victims shall put considerable burden on the society as a whole. Here, however, these issues are not going to be debated. Instead the pathology of Alzheimer’s will be reviewed to the extent it is known today.

Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common causes of dementia. The term 'dementia' describes a set of symptoms, which can include memory loss, changes in mood and problems with communication and reasoning. These symptoms occur when certain diseases and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, damage the brain. Alzheimer's disease could be described as a physical disease affecting the brain. During the course of the disease, protein 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop

In the United States there are approximately 5.4 million people living with Alzheimer’s. Every sixty-nine seconds a person is diagnosed. This is an ongoing issue, and unless something is done, sixteen million people will be affected by 2050 (Latest).

Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, neurodegenerative disease that affects the brain causing progressive memory loss and destroys thinking skills. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, which is a general term used to describe disorders that affects brain functions. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by formations of plaques and tangles in the brain. A dangerous protein called beta-amyloid tends to build up over time in the brain. As this protein molecule accumulates, they start to form plaques, which can damage and destroy brain cells. While plaques affect the spaces between the brain cells, an abnormal protein known as “tau” starts affecting inside the brain cell itself. “Tau tangles can interfere with the transportation of nutrients in and out of the cells, causing brain cells to degenerate and die” (Kosik & Bowman, 2015, p. 5). Some common symptoms for Alzheimer’s include memory loss, constantly misplacing things, unable to remember the names of family members, unable to communicate properly, and losing the ability to complete simple daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal disease, but patients don’t die from the disease itself. Advanced Alzheimer’s increases vulnerability and increases the chance of developing infections that soon lead to death.

In 1970, Evelyn Stone was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. However, her husband, Jerome Stone, already knew that something was wrong years before the actual diagnosis. Jerome H. Stone originally grew up to be a businessman, “helping to build the multi-billion dollar Stone Container Corporation,” (Santos) which was his family’s business. As a member of the executive committee of the business, Stone “had the ability to pull people together to coalesce things,” (Megan) and did exactly that in 1979 when he brought together families concerned about Alzheimer’s. “Astonished at how little was known about Alzheimer’s,” (Megan) Jerome Stone created the non-profit organization known as the Alzheimer’s Association just one year after meeting with the families, on April 10, 1980. 36 years later, the non-profit continues to thrive, arguably as the top organization in advancing the care for Alzheimer’s, as it has been able to raise large sums of money through donors and accomplish goals through United States federal legislation.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been ranked the third leading cause of death after heart disease and cancer. New research suggests the ways of

Alzheimer’s Disease is similar to a literal chipping block of the brain; it is like this conscious genetic machine that (figuratively and) continually deep-fries brain cells and makes them clump up into masses that entangle many cognitive processes that allow an individual to be who they are. It is the slow progression into death where the mental faculties are ravaged and pilfered; the sinews that tie each and every neuron and synapse together. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a condition where there are different effects for different people; but most of all, it is a disease that robs a person of their personality, memory, individuality and their functional health (Kail, 568).

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.

Imagine your greatest fear of a loved one growing old. Could it be a fear of your dearest going through tremendous pain and suffering, or perhaps just the fear of him or her dying? Now imagine that this loved one, with whom you have shared many wonderful memories, no longer recognizes you. It kind of worries you a bit now, doesn’t it? Although Alzheimer’s disease can be very hard on those stricken and their families, do not feel as if your case is a hopeless one. There are studies being conducted as to the cause and possible prevention methods of this disease. One such study has taken place at the convent of the School Sisters of Notre Dame on Good Counsel Hill in

“Horribly tragic, scary, slow, sad, maddening, etc.” These are words some would use when asked what Alzheimer’s/dementia is. This answer is common to those who have watched loved ones suffer from this disease that ultimately lead to their passing. As defined in McGraw Hill Medical Dictionary, Alzheimer’s Disease is a ‘progressive neurologic disease of the brain that causes irreversible loss of neurons and eventual dementia characterized by loss of memory, impairment of judgment, decision making, language use, and awareness of surroundings’(pg. 14). Dementia defined by the same dictionary is the ‘progressive loss cognitive function, usually associated with

Alzheimer’s disease affects 1 out of every 8 people in the United States. It is a long and debilitating disease that affects every aspect of a person’s life from the way they preform daily tasks, to the physical and mental abilities that are diminishing. Along with the lifestyle changes that Alzheimer’s disease presents, it also affects one’s psychological perspective as well their view on what they can offer their family and society. There are some ways to maintain a level of independence with a disease of this magnitude but there are also factors in lifestyle choices that can make it worse. Alzheimer cannot be cured, it cannot be slowed, but there are ways to keep the effected person at a certain level of comfort, independence and safety

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized with neurodegeneration and the onset of dementia and short-term memory loss. AD can be caused by several factors; however PD is being highly investigated due to its common chronic infection that passes through the BBB (4). Not only can PD serve as a cause of AD, but patients with AD can begin showing signs of PD, causing a vicious cycle (5). Perio-systemic connections should be considered with the spread of bacteria from the gingival sulcus to the brain. In addition, the behavioral effects associated with brain impairments need to be discussed as a potential link between PD and AD.