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Alzheimer’s Disease
Information : Facts and Fiction
What exactly is
Alzheimer’s Disease?
 Alzheimer’s
disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by
progressive memory loss, poor judgment, language deterioration, and
impaired visuospatial skills. Alzheimer’s disease usually begins after
the age of 65, but may occur as early as (early onset type) 40 years
old. It usually begins with minor impairment in short-term memory with
such experiences as frequently losing keys, and eventually progresses
to include severe short-term and long-term memory loss, as well as
affecting most other areas of an individual’s cognitive functioning.
Alzheimer’s disease eventually destroys cognition, personality and
ability to function. In the earliest stages it may be difficult to
differentiate from normal aging, but as it progresses it totally
destroys an individual's ability to function.
How would an individual
get Alzheimer’s?
There continues to be
extensive research in this area to determine how individuals contract
the disease. Current research indicates that there are two main
categories associated with the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease,
including the familial and sporadic. Familial Alzheimer’s disease is a
genetic form which is transmitted from one generation to the next.
Approximately 5 % of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease have been
associated with a genetic component. These individuals frequently come
from families where as many as half of the family members may develop
the disease. This form of the disorder is rare, however. The remaining
95 % of Alzheimer’s disease cases are sporadic, randomly occurring in
the population. At the present time, particular dietary habits,
professional occupations and specific personality types do not appear
to lead the development of the disease.
Signs and symptoms of
Alzheimer’s Disease and prognosis:
Early-stage Alzheimer’s
symptoms can also be very similar to those which result from fatigue,
illness, vision or hearing loss, grief, depression or the use of
alcohol and various medications. However, Alzheimer’s symptoms become
progressively worse over time, eventually destroying short-term
memory, concentration, long-term memory, judgment and personality. The
primary symptoms include multiple cognitive deficits manifested by
memory impairment and other cognitive disturbances, including language
disturbances, impaired ability to carry out motor (physical)
activities despite intact motor function, failure to recognize and
identify simple objects and disturbances in executive functioning. The
cognitive deficits must cause significant impairment in social or
occupational functioning and represent a significant decline from
previous functioning.
Alzheimer’s disease is
progressive in nature, but its course may vary from individual to
individual. Some individuals may have it for as little as and the last
five years of their life, while others may have it for as many as 20
years. The most common cause of death in Alzheimer’s patients is
infection.
Treatment :
Currently there is no
cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and no sure way to limit its
progression. Some people in the early to middle stages of the disease,
find medications such as tacrine (Cognex), Aricept (donezepil) and
Exelon (rivastigmine) slow the progression. Other medications are used
to control the behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease
such as aggression, sleeplessness, wandering, and anxiety. Also,
frequently environmental and behavioral modification are effective in
reducing the effects of an over-stimulating environment, along with
basic behavioral modification techniques to improve specific
behaviors.
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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