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 a common problem in today’s society and within the older population this disease makes up the largest form of dementia. Although it is a problem in mainly older people, this disease can still occur in the younger population also. People in their 30s-50s can be diagnosed with this disease, even though it is not as common as people in their 60s-90s. The number of people with Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is close to five million and is expected to double within the next 30 years. With our modern medicine and advancements one would think a cure would be available, however, getting to the cause of the disease is a major factor. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is one that is very debatable and questionable and most likely is a result of multiple factors rather than one. The main issue with finding the cause is because this disease affects the brain and can
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia that generally initiates the lost memory, problem of critical thinking and behavior problems for the elderly patients. It’s not a normal part of aging but the large number of elderly people reached 65 and older are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The most common early symptoms are struggle in remembering recent events or short term memory. As the disease advance more symptoms begin to show up like problems in speaking and language, disorientation like getting lost and cease to remember the present activity that they are supposed to do. Mood swings go from happy to sad for no reason. Not managing their self, personal hygiene
Dementias are neurodegenerative disorders and Alzheimer’s disease is just one type. Although the most frequent cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, there are many causes of dementia. Saying someone has dementia is actually not a diagnosis it’s more of a clinical syndrome. Like saying someone has heartburn or a headache, the underlying cause of the dementia must be uncovered in order to classify it. Dementia impairs cognitive function in many different ways. It can involve memory, language, thinking, reasoning, and perception (Radin, 2003, p. 29). Some classifications of dementia include: frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia, but other degenerative diseases such as Huntington’s
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. “Its onset is generally insidious, with gradual deterioration of cognitive function, eventually resulting death.” (Falvo, D. 2009, pg. 226). Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia among people age 65 and older. “Nearly 70 percentages of all dementias are Alzheimer’s, and over 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s.”(www.alz.org). This disease is not just a disease that happens to older people, but there is a small percentage that can also affect those in their 30s.
With all of the advanced technology that the medical field possesses today, there is still suffering that occurs from incurable diseases. Alzheimer's Disease is one of those incurable diseases that take the lives of many today. This paper will examine this disease thoroughly by looking at its definition, and discussing general information, facts, and figures. The cause of Alzheimer's Disease, and the much thought about question of if it is genetic or not will disputed. Also the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease will be addressed. Included will also be tips on how to make the life of an Alzheimer's patient easier.
There is a growing epidemic in the United States that makes life for senior citizens fraught with danger and uncertainty. The current state in which millions of senior citizens live is frightening. Since 2015, there is an estimated five million people who are dealing with the effects of the Alzheimer’s disease and around 83,000 who die from it each year. Although doctors have some methods of treating Alzheimer's disease, these methods are quite inadequate. Even if family were to use the current Alzheimer’s disease treatment methods, it would only minimally delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, the treatments for Alzheimer's disease is often too expensive for family to cover the cost. With all of this in mind, it is necessary
Alzheimer’s disease could be one of the scariest things an individual could ever have to experience. The sad thing is that there is not much that can be done about this disease at the time; however, researchers are working day and night to either find a cure or come up with better treatments. The most important thing people need to remember is that this is a brain disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, it can be assessed through different technologies, can be somewhat slowed down by medication, and possibly prevented by exercise.
For decades society has been dealing with the dreadful effects of Alzheimer’s disease, from the emotional diagnosis, to family member involvement, and the demanding needs, financially. Scientist and researchers, with the monetary contributions from fundraising organizations like, The Alzheimer’s Association, The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, along with many additional establishments work around the clock expectantly to find a cure for this mind altering disease. Now a days, there are many groups available for any person needing information on Alzheimer’s disease. Personal experience gained from caring for the elderly in my lifetime, is the motivation behind my awareness of this dreadful disease. It wasn’t until my job as a supervisor of an Alzheimer’s unit, that my understanding of this ghastly disease, made me grasp just how tough it is for every person involved. This unbearable disease, becomes a family disease, family members are faced with many heart wrenching decisions and robbed of their loved ones. Just envision, if you will, awakening one morning and nothing is familiar, your wife/husband, children, or friends. Imagine, if it’s your mom or dad, either way devastation is what comes to mind. This disease steals your memories, the life you once recognized has vanished. The topics covered in the following text include, an overview of Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, some statistics, emotional effect on those with A.D., family member involvement
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), first described and named after Dr Alois Alzheimer in 1906, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, neuropathologically characterised by gross cerebral atrophy, extracellular senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (Zetterberg & Mattsson, (2014). Clinically, AD is characterised by memory loss, cognitive impairment and behavioural and psychological changes (Carter, Resnick, Mallampalli & Kalbarczyk, 2012). The Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) have a significant impact on the quality of life of the person with dementia and the caregiver (Rouch et al, 2014). The existence and intensity of the BPSD has a greater negative impact on caregivers then the actual cognitive decline (Rouch et al, 2014).
Alzheimer’s Disease is 56% of the cause of dementia, which is characterized as a decline in memory language, problem solving, and other cognitive skills that affect a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks. (Petersen 2002) AD was first identified over 100 years ago, but it actually took about 70 years for it to be recognized as the most common form of dementia. (Alzheimer’s Association 2016) Although much has been researched and discovered about AD to help diagnose and treat the disease, much is yet to be discovered about the precise biological changes the causes Alzheimer’s and why it progresses more quickly in some than others. Scientists and doctors around the world have a common goal of discovering ways to stop of prevent this genetically
Alzheimer’s disease is a very slowly progressive disease that occurs inside the brain in which is characterized by damage of memory. Also this type of disease can lead into interruption in language, problem solving, planning and perception. The chance of a person developing Alzheimer’s disease increases enormously after the age of 70 (Crystal, 2009). Also people who are over the age of 85 have over a 50 percent chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This type of disease is not at all normal in the aging process and is also not something that happens out of no where in a person’s life.
Unfortunately, I have seen first-hand the devastation Alzheimer’s disease causes in someone’s life. My best friend’s aunt, and my Great Aunt were both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when I was in grade school. I didn’t know anything about this disease, I only saw the progression and the clinical manifestations of the disease. The second aspect of Alzheimer’s that I didn’t understand was how doctors weren’t able to cure this disease. Our textbook, McCance and Huether state, “Some diseases, such as tuberculosis, identify a highly specific causative or etiologic agent or process. Others such as Alzheimer’s disease or arthritis, indicate changes of unclear cause. There is considerable need for more research to validate mental health diagnosis” (XV).
Aging is a hard to deal with and adding a disease to the mix can take a hefty toll not only on the individual but on the family as well. Alzheimer’s disease takes a person away from their family because they are not the person they used to be. There are treatments that can help the symptoms but it can bring the person you knew back. In this paper I will research the various symptoms of the disease as well as the diagnosis and the treatment. I will also expand on the
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Nowadays, one of the most vital important medical problems in those older people would be known as dementia in which this disorder was kept increasing from about 1% at age of 60 to at least 35% at the age of 90%. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common irreversible, progressive cause of dementia. A gradual loss of mamory and cognitive skill are the characteristic of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Generally, over 50% of all dementia cases are accounted by the Alzheimer’s disease and this mental health disease had been widespread present and affect for more than 24 million people worldwide.