Alzheimers Disease
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
-aka Dementia: a syndrome with progressive deterioration in intellectual functioning secondary to structural or functional changes.
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia -Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible form of senile dementia caused by nerve cell deterioration. -Individuals with Alzheimer's disease experience cognitive deterioration & progressive loss of ability to carry out ADL's.
-The pt experiences a steady decline in physical & mental functioning and usually requires long-term care in a specialized facility in the final stages of the illness.
Structural and Chemical changes occur in the brain with Alzheimer's. -structural atrophy and brain weight reduction -neurotransmitter abnormalities (acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin)
Agnosia: failure to recognize or identify familiar objects despite intact sensory function; loss of sensory comprehension
Prosopagnosia: inability to recognize oneself & other familiar faces
Amnesia: loss of memory caused by brain degeneration
Aphasia: language disturbance in understanding and expressing spoken words; inability to speak or understand
Apraxia: inability to perform motor activities, despite intact motor function; inability to use objects correctly
Anomia: inability to find words
ETIOLOGY/ CAUSE/ INCIDENCE
-exact cause is unknown (age, gender, family history)
-more common in women
-increased after age 65 (may affect anyone older than 40)
-African Americans have increased risk
-Hispanics develop earlier than other groups
-genetics, chemical imbalances, environmental agents & immunologic changes are other theories.
HEALTH PROMOTION
- NO proven ways to prevent Alzheimers
-current research theories: 1. eating balanced diet 2. eat dark colored fruits & vegetables, soy products, sufficient amts of folate and vitamin B12, C, and E. 3. walking, swimming, regular exercise
STAGES OF ALZHEIMERS
Early (Mild) or Stage I
-1st symptoms up
-aka Dementia: a syndrome with progressive deterioration in intellectual functioning secondary to structural or functional changes.
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia -Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible form of senile dementia caused by nerve cell deterioration. -Individuals with Alzheimer's disease experience cognitive deterioration & progressive loss of ability to carry out ADL's.
-The pt experiences a steady decline in physical & mental functioning and usually requires long-term care in a specialized facility in the final stages of the illness.
Structural and Chemical changes occur in the brain with Alzheimer's. -structural atrophy and brain weight reduction -neurotransmitter abnormalities (acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin)
Agnosia: failure to recognize or identify familiar objects despite intact sensory function; loss of sensory comprehension
Prosopagnosia: inability to recognize oneself & other familiar faces
Amnesia: loss of memory caused by brain degeneration
Aphasia: language disturbance in understanding and expressing spoken words; inability to speak or understand
Apraxia: inability to perform motor activities, despite intact motor function; inability to use objects correctly
Anomia: inability to find words
ETIOLOGY/ CAUSE/ INCIDENCE
-exact cause is unknown (age, gender, family history)
-more common in women
-increased after age 65 (may affect anyone older than 40)
-African Americans have increased risk
-Hispanics develop earlier than other groups
-genetics, chemical imbalances, environmental agents & immunologic changes are other theories.
HEALTH PROMOTION
- NO proven ways to prevent Alzheimers
-current research theories: 1. eating balanced diet 2. eat dark colored fruits & vegetables, soy products, sufficient amts of folate and vitamin B12, C, and E. 3. walking, swimming, regular exercise
STAGES OF ALZHEIMERS
Early (Mild) or Stage I
-1st symptoms up