Alzheimer’s disease

                  

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.

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

            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.

Common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease 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.

• 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.

• 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.

                        · 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:

·      Family history of the disease - especially a parent or sibling.

·      Heart-disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.

·      Previous head injury

·      Trauma

·      Environmental toxins

·      Advancing age

·      Stress- high levels of anxiety

Stages:

Medical experts have identified three main 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.

 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.