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Alzheimer's
(Kathy)
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia diseases. It is a
incurable, degenerative,
and terminal diseases. The first person to describe the disease was psychiatrist and
neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. The disease was named after him.
to
occur in younger ages. As of 2006, 26.6 million people worldwide had Alzheimer's.
It is predicted the number will quadruple by 2050.
Each sufferer experiences Alzheimer's in a unique way. The earliest symptoms are often
mistaken for "age-related" concerns or Manifestation of stress. The most common symptom
in the early stages of Alzheimer's is memory lost. When Alzheimer's is suspected, the diagnosis
is usually confirmed with behavioral assessment, cognitive test, and brain scan.
As Alzheimer's progresses, the symptoms include confusion, irritability, aggression, mood
swings, language breakdown, long-term memory lost, and withdrawal of sufferer as their
senses decline. Gradually, the body functions are lost, leading to death.
Prognosis of an individual is difficult to assess because the duration of the disease varies.
Alzheimer's develops for an
indeterminate amount of time before becoming fully apparent. Alzheimer's can progress undiagnosised for years. The expectancy following diagnosis is around
seven years with 3% of sufferers living more than 14 years.
The cause and progression of Alzheimer's isn't well understood. The research of Alzheimer's
indicates the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain. Treatments used offer
a small symptomatic benefit. There are no treatments to delay or halt Alzheimer's
progression.
As of 2008, more than 500 clinical trails have investigated possible treatments for Alzheimer's
but it is unknown if any of them will prove successful. There have been may suggestions on the prevention of Alzheimer's but their value has been unproven. Mental stimulation, exercise, and
a balanced diet are often recommended as a way of managing Alzheimer's.
 
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