<Student Name>
<Name and Section # of course>
<Instructor Name>
Introduction
As we age, the body starts to break down and show symptoms of aging. One particular symptom associated with age is the loss of memory. However, most people do not grasp the idea that this may be due to the initial stage of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Even though age is a huge risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, it is not a necessary part of aging and needs to be addressed to as soon as possible.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and affects the patient’s memory functions, thinking and behavior. The most advanced stages of this disease can even cause the patient to forget how to breathe, walk or talk.
Causes of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s can be caused because of genetic and environmental factors. Research has shown that most patients with the late onset of this disease have the ‘apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene. By being a carrier of this gene, it does not necessarily mean that a person will get this disease. However the risks and chances are definitely increased. Research is being done on the other common factors and other genes in people with the APOE gene.
The environmental factors that have proven to affect the risks of development of Alzheimer’s disease are many health problems like heart attack, stroke, increases blood pressure, diabetes and excessive weight gain. By engaging in healthy and refreshing activities like sports and recreation, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may reduce the risks of the decline of the brain cells. Clinical trials are still underway to test the possibility of these factors being a risk to Alzheimer’s.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
Our brain is a mega computer that remembers not only the latest learned information but can even retrieve information from years ago. However, when a person first starts to have difficulty in remembering new information, this is a sign that Alzheimer’s is setting in. In most of the cases, Alzheimer’s disease affects the part of the brain that deals with the learning process.
With the increase in intensity, the patient experiences change in mood, behavior, disorientation, confusion about time and place of events. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease also include forgetting the names of friends and family. The final stages of this type of dementia cause the patient to forget how to urinate or even talk properly. The patient feels like they are talking, but the words do not make sense.
Treatment Options
There are no definite diagnosis tests as yet that can determine for sure that the patient has Alzheimer’s or not. Doctors and specialists still have to conduct a series of tests to confirm it. Modern research scientists are trying to come up with ways to make it easier for Alzheimer’s patients to cope with the disease. Even though there is no permanent cure for this disease, there are ways that the symptoms are slowed down and the effects are minimized.
It is important to detect the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. This way the drugs can be started early when not much damage has been made to the brain. Patients with the Alzheimer’s disease can lead a healthy and normal life for many years if they have the right treatments and support.
A healthy and assuring support group is very beneficial for an Alzheimer’s patient. The patient needs to be constantly reassured that they are surrounded by people they know. They need to be told the same stories again and again with patience.
Future Developments
A lot of development and research has been dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. As latest as July of 2013, there has been hope that there might be a single blood test that may be able to detect and diagnose Alzheimer’s. Researchers have concluded that the biomarkers in the blood may be used for the detection of Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders.
Another clinical study published in the Journal of Neurological Sciences in August 2013 had concluded that there was a difference in patients of Alzheimer’s as compared to other people when it came to the detection of smell of peanut butter.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s is hard to detect and impossible to cure. Thus it is important that the necessary steps are taken to reduce the risks. Prevention of Alzheimer’s includes making healthier choices in life and make sure that you exercise not only your body but your brain as well. Keeping an active brain requires a healthy diet, and active lifestyle.
An estimated 5.2 million people have been detected with Alzheimer’s in the US alone in 2013 . This number is sure to increase until a definite cure is found. Till then the friends, families and support groups of such patients need to help in all ways possible to make life as normal and simple as possible. Giving Alzheimer’s patients emotional and physical support is important to help them cope with their disease. There is a lot of more information that support groups can gather from their doctor and the internet for ways to help patients in this chronic disease.
References
Alzheimer's Association . (2013). Alzheimer's Facts and Figures. Retrieved November 30, 2013, from Alzheimer's Association: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_facts_and_figures.asp
MacGill, M. (2013, November 1). What is Alzheimer's disease? Causes, symptoms and treatment. Retrieved November 30, 2013, from Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php
National Institute on Aging. (2013, October 17). Alzheimer's disease Fact Sheet. Retrieved November 30, 2013, from National Institute on Aging: http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet
