What Is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's (also known as senile dementia) is a progressive disease (meaning it happens over a period of time) that destroys memory, cognitive function and other brain activities. Dementia is not a specific disease, but a term that is used for an overall range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or thinking processes.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and accounts for 60% to 80% of all dementia cases. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. Though the majority of cases occur vastly in older generations, 5% of these cases are in younger adults that have Early-Onset Alzheimer’s (younger-onset) which …show more content…
There are three stages to the Alzheimer’s disease Mild, Moderate and Severe. In the mild stage of Alzheimer’s, a person may still be independent and will continue their routine lifestyle. Although they may continue on normally it may become rampant to family or friends that the person may have trouble with their speeches. During medical interviews, doctors may notice small flaws with the patient's ability to recall names, numbers or performing tasks when asked and forgetting. In moderate stage of Alzheimer’s, one may notice changes in behavior, more easily upset patients, refusals to do things such as bathe. This is the longest period of the disease that can last years and it requires great amounts of care. Damage to the brain's nerve cells make it difficult for patients to resolve problems or have clear thinking processes. In the latest stage of Alzheimer’s, which is known as the “Severe” portion of the disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry out a conversation and in extremes, lose the ability to control movement and will become prone to infections such as pneumonia. As cognitive functions begin to fail the patient will need full time around-the-clock care.
There is no single test that can tell if a person has Alzheimer’s, though some doctors may diagnose the disease with 90% or above accuracy; this will have to be done by a neurologist, psychologist or a psychiatrist. Currently there is no cure for the Alzheimer’s disease but drug and non-drug treatments can help with cognitive and behavioral issues. Alzheimer’s is an unfortunate disease that many individuals are diagnosed with and has no preventative
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia and accounts for 60% to 80% of all dementia cases. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. Though the majority of cases occur vastly in older generations, 5% of these cases are in younger adults that have Early-Onset Alzheimer’s (younger-onset) which …show more content…
There are three stages to the Alzheimer’s disease Mild, Moderate and Severe. In the mild stage of Alzheimer’s, a person may still be independent and will continue their routine lifestyle. Although they may continue on normally it may become rampant to family or friends that the person may have trouble with their speeches. During medical interviews, doctors may notice small flaws with the patient's ability to recall names, numbers or performing tasks when asked and forgetting. In moderate stage of Alzheimer’s, one may notice changes in behavior, more easily upset patients, refusals to do things such as bathe. This is the longest period of the disease that can last years and it requires great amounts of care. Damage to the brain's nerve cells make it difficult for patients to resolve problems or have clear thinking processes. In the latest stage of Alzheimer’s, which is known as the “Severe” portion of the disease, individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, carry out a conversation and in extremes, lose the ability to control movement and will become prone to infections such as pneumonia. As cognitive functions begin to fail the patient will need full time around-the-clock care.
There is no single test that can tell if a person has Alzheimer’s, though some doctors may diagnose the disease with 90% or above accuracy; this will have to be done by a neurologist, psychologist or a psychiatrist. Currently there is no cure for the Alzheimer’s disease but drug and non-drug treatments can help with cognitive and behavioral issues. Alzheimer’s is an unfortunate disease that many individuals are diagnosed with and has no preventative