Alzheimer’s
disease has been primarily seen among people over the age of 65. It is a
degenerative disease where the person experiences a decline of their mental and
intellectual functions. The person’s ability to remember- even recently leaned
facts, a symptom of severe memory loss is experienced. The person’s
comprehension level too declines, and the person is usually subject to
confusion, irritability, mood swings, language breakdown as well as the decline
in their sense.
disease has been primarily seen among people over the age of 65. It is a
degenerative disease where the person experiences a decline of their mental and
intellectual functions. The person’s ability to remember- even recently leaned
facts, a symptom of severe memory loss is experienced. The person’s
comprehension level too declines, and the person is usually subject to
confusion, irritability, mood swings, language breakdown as well as the decline
in their sense.
Instead of
symptoms being alleviated over time with medication, the disease only worsens
overtime, but the time period and the degree of decline varies. It has been observed
that some people loose the ability to do their daily tasks in the early stages
of the disease prognosis, whereas there are others who are able to function
comparatively well, until much later on during the prognosis of the disease.
Now we can take a look at the symptoms, causes and stages of the disease.
symptoms being alleviated over time with medication, the disease only worsens
overtime, but the time period and the degree of decline varies. It has been observed
that some people loose the ability to do their daily tasks in the early stages
of the disease prognosis, whereas there are others who are able to function
comparatively well, until much later on during the prognosis of the disease.
Now we can take a look at the symptoms, causes and stages of the disease.
Symptoms
There
are no outward, physical symptoms which can be perceived in Alzheimer’s
disease, and it is a slow progressing illness, often lasting for approximately
7 years after diagnosis. Usually
symptoms in the initial stages of the disease are falsely believed to be a
result of old age. No doubt, that as senior years advance there are significant
physical and mental declines; but the only difference over here in people
suffering from Alzeimers disease is that their decline is much more rapid and
pronounced as compared to people not suffering from the illness.
are no outward, physical symptoms which can be perceived in Alzheimer’s
disease, and it is a slow progressing illness, often lasting for approximately
7 years after diagnosis. Usually
symptoms in the initial stages of the disease are falsely believed to be a
result of old age. No doubt, that as senior years advance there are significant
physical and mental declines; but the only difference over here in people
suffering from Alzeimers disease is that their decline is much more rapid and
pronounced as compared to people not suffering from the illness.
Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
include:
include:
- Difficulties
performing daily tasks– The people suffering
from Alzheimer’s have trouble performing basic activities like eating,
dressing and grooming. They are unable to plan normal day-to-day tasks. - Behavioural changes– Irritability is a common symptom, and the person exhibits
emotions of anger; and are often very quiet and restless. There are some
who exhibit confusion, paranoia or are fearful. - Misplacing objects– People suffering from Alzheimer’s tend to easily forget
recent events. Therefore, they tend to misplace objects and fail to
remember where they had placed objects that they use everyday; like
glasses, keys etc.
They also put
tend to put things in uncommon or strange places, for e.g. putting keys in the refrigerator.
tend to put things in uncommon or strange places, for e.g. putting keys in the refrigerator.
- Bewilderment and
confusion– Often, these people suffer from
memory lapses and are unable to remember their whereabouts. They usually
forget why they are in a certain location, how they got there, and how to
find their way home.
Most often,
these people tend to even forget familiar people and situations.
these people tend to even forget familiar people and situations.
- Abstract thinking– These people are unable to think in complex or abstract
terms. As a result, basic activities like balancing cheque books cannot be
performed by them and they need guidance to do such things. - Weakened memory and
impaired thinking– People with Alzheimer’s
have, or are incapable of learning new information and have problems
remembering things. Later on, in the disease the person experiences a long
term memory disease. - Communication Barrier:
The people suffer from problems in
communication like talking. They are unable to recall words, names of
common objects or understand meaning of words. - Irregular sleep
patterns- These people suffer from irregular
sleep patterns, and often have an irregular body clock whereby they sleep
during the day and usually are awake in the night. - Loss of motivation – People suffering from Alzheimer’s become very passive, and constantly
need to be encouraged to interact with others.
Causes
Alzheimer’s is not a natural
result of aging. It is caused due to the abnormal functioning of brain cells.
Research is yet going on, to find out the exact process and root cause of this
ailment. Nevertheless there are two main factors which hold responsibility
towards this disease.
result of aging. It is caused due to the abnormal functioning of brain cells.
Research is yet going on, to find out the exact process and root cause of this
ailment. Nevertheless there are two main factors which hold responsibility
towards this disease.
· Nerve fibers grow tangled (neurofibrillary tangles)
· Protein deposits known as plaques build up in the brain
However, the conditions predisposing a
person to this disease have been identified, and listed as:
person to this disease have been identified, and listed as:
·
Family history of the disease –
especially a parent or sibling.
Family history of the disease –
especially a parent or sibling.
·
Heart-disease risk factors such
as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.
Heart-disease risk factors such
as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.
·
Previous head injury
Previous head injury
·
Trauma
Trauma
·
Environmental toxins
Environmental toxins
·
Advancing age
Advancing age
·
Stress- high levels of anxiety
Stress- high levels of anxiety
Stages:
Medical experts have identified three main
stages of progression in this disease
stages of progression in this disease
- Early-stage– In this stage, people with Alzheimer’s are able to function
independently, but suffer from memory loss and other cognitive difficulties.
- Mid-stage– There is a change in personality and they experience physical
problems. There is a major reliance on another person to perform daily
activities.
- Late-stage– In this stage, they become completely dependant on
car-takers. This is the most severe stage, as there is a complete
deterioration of intellectual and mental activities and there is no
control over the body.
Alzheimer’s
disease is a degenerative disease that ends with death.
disease is a degenerative disease that ends with death.
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In most cases if the individual has no other
ailment, the loss of brain function alone can cause his or her death. As the
exact cause is yet unknown, there is not prevention or cure for this disease.
If one shows any of the above symptoms, monitored medical care, and love and
support can help them cope with this incurable, deadly; and devastating
disease.
ailment, the loss of brain function alone can cause his or her death. As the
exact cause is yet unknown, there is not prevention or cure for this disease.
If one shows any of the above symptoms, monitored medical care, and love and
support can help them cope with this incurable, deadly; and devastating
disease.
