Alzheimer's Disease: Ways of Prevention and Treatment
Alzheimer’s Disease: Ways of Prevention and Treatment
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease is the fastest growing form of dementia that is unable to be reversed or cured. There are several factors that contribute to this ever-growing disease that can lower the risk of contracting it if one is to be cautious and aware of them. Research has discovered processes that occur in the brain that leads to the onset of this disease that may able to be hindered if caught at an early stage. Though there is not a cure or way to stop the disease from progressing there are several medications available to help treat symptoms and slow down the process of progression. Through many studies, ways of prevention have been discovered that if done early on in life can decrease risk of contracting the disease. But for the family members those who do suffer from Alzheimer’s there are also options on how to properly care for their loved ones whether in their own home or in a facility. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Risk factors, Dementia, Treatment
Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor, discovered this disease in 1907 at the University of Munich. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the fourth leading cause of death in adults, following heart disease, cancer, and strokes. AD is the most common form of dementia, a progressive declining disease of the brain. The number of people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. is now estimated at 5.3 million, and this figure will likely skyrocket to about 16 million people by 2050 (de la Torre, 2010, pg.861). Due to genetic factors, up to ten percent of the population can expect to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of senile dementia. Risk increases greatly with age, so people over 85 have a 50% chance of developing this disease. People usually are stricken with this disease around the age of seventies or eighties but some receive it earlier in their fifties and sixties. According to research some causes and contributing factors of this
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease is the fastest growing form of dementia that is unable to be reversed or cured. There are several factors that contribute to this ever-growing disease that can lower the risk of contracting it if one is to be cautious and aware of them. Research has discovered processes that occur in the brain that leads to the onset of this disease that may able to be hindered if caught at an early stage. Though there is not a cure or way to stop the disease from progressing there are several medications available to help treat symptoms and slow down the process of progression. Through many studies, ways of prevention have been discovered that if done early on in life can decrease risk of contracting the disease. But for the family members those who do suffer from Alzheimer’s there are also options on how to properly care for their loved ones whether in their own home or in a facility. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Risk factors, Dementia, Treatment
Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor, discovered this disease in 1907 at the University of Munich. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the fourth leading cause of death in adults, following heart disease, cancer, and strokes. AD is the most common form of dementia, a progressive declining disease of the brain. The number of people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. is now estimated at 5.3 million, and this figure will likely skyrocket to about 16 million people by 2050 (de la Torre, 2010, pg.861). Due to genetic factors, up to ten percent of the population can expect to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of senile dementia. Risk increases greatly with age, so people over 85 have a 50% chance of developing this disease. People usually are stricken with this disease around the age of seventies or eighties but some receive it earlier in their fifties and sixties. According to research some causes and contributing factors of this
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