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Alzheimers: What Is It?

 

 

Someone in your family has Alzheimers disease, and you have been gathering info on Alzheimers disease to try to help you make decisions about what to do next, but everything you find is so scientific and complicated. What can you tell your kids to make them understand why their grandfather or uncle does not recognize them anymore? The info on Alzheimers disease below is aimed at children and families, so read it together.

 

Alzheimers disease is a form of a mental disorder known as dementia. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously hampers the brains ability to process rational or normal thought and inhibits the daily activities of its sufferers because of this. Alzheimers disease, therefore, affects the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, memory, and language.

Alzheimers disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. The German physician Alois Alzheimer first identified this disorder in 1907. This disorder is a serious illness that affects the memory ability of the brain, capability of learning, making rational decisions and capacity to function routinely.

Alzheimers disease robs millions of people each year of their memories, their personalities, and the ability to complete daily activities. For the longest time, it was believed that nothing could be done to prevent this awful disease; that it was simply something that people had to look forward to when they reached their golden years. However, new research indicates that there is a number of ways to prevent Alzheimers disease.

The hallmark sign of Alzheimers disease is the loss of memory. Generally, those 65 years of age or older, begin to concern themselves with this disease at the first episodes of forgetfulness. Although forgetfulness is a sign of Alzheimers disease, it is important to note that there are other signals that may herald the onset of this malady. Therefore, being knowledgeable about Alzheimers, through exhibited signs, and is paramount for our loved one's health as well as our own.

Dealing With Alzheimers

Hearing the news that a family member has received an Alzheimers diagnosis can be an emotionally devastating moment in anyones life. However, before the Alzheimers diagnosis can be given to the patient and their family, the patient must undergo a variety of laboratory tests, such as medical assessments and laboratory measurements. There is no single test existing that will categorically give the Alzheimers diagnosis.

With this proactive stance, diagnosticians have been able to devise a set of Alzheimers disease testing tools that can detect symptoms of Alzheimers disease in its earlier stages. As of yet, there is no single diagnostic test that is able to determine if a person has Alzheimers disease, but the battery of testing that is available makes it possible for physicians to diagnose it with about 90 percent accuracy. Alzheimers disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis.

An Alzheimers test is important to ensure that the person is not just going through the usual memory loss associated with age; however, sometimes an Alzheimers test is not necessary. Alzheimers disease doesn't just affect a persons memory; it can make people see things that aren't there, and even send them into screaming fits. If you think a loved one is starting to become senile or experience other symptoms of dementia, you may want that person to undergo Alzheimers testing. Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive test for Alzheimers disease that a person can undergo. The only way doctors diagnose Alzheimers with 100% certainty is through physical examination of the brain after the person has passed away. Rather than Alzheimers testing, what you want to look for is some type of psychological and behavioral screening coupled with extensive tests to rule out other types of dementia.

Living With Alzheimers

Living with Alzheimers can be a crippling experience for both the disease sufferer and the family that is involved. There are many moments of misunderstanding or confusion for most and the symptoms can become frustrating and difficult. The loss of memory and other associated factors can often cause immense separation in families and can create a nervous tension on relationships that is not necessary if suitable information is available and utilized by all parties involved.

Finding in-house Alzheimers help should not be an emotionally laden issue for the entire family. Tackling this need in an organized way, from evaluating to planning, is the key to making in-house Alzheimers help feasible. First, you should sit down and evaluate the needs of the family caregiver and the patient. From there, creating a job list and a set of guidelines becomes easy to make and follow.

Caring for someone with Alzheimers can be a daunting task. You will need all of the support you can get, along with the latest and most significant Alzheimers info and research. It is a confusing time, and the more you know, the more confident you will feel in your ability to give your loved one the best possible care and support. It is also important to build a support network that will help you to avoid the common problems associated with caretaker burnout.

 

 

 

 

 

Alzheimer's - The 7 Stages of the Disease

Alzheimer's disease is defined as a developed neurological disorder which leads to, intellectual slowing, memory loss, personality changes, and other more symptoms of Alzheimer's. Although the disease differs from in individuals, most go through similar stages, which each have more serious Alzheimer's symptoms.

Researchers and physicians have developed the seven stages below on how someone will change during the stages.

Stage 1 ("Absence of Impairment")

The patient has normal functioning as a healthy adult. He has no memory problems, nor any difficulty in judgment, communication, orientation or his daily activities.

Stage 2 ("Minimal Impairment")

He might experience few falls in memory and further cognitive problems however the changes cannot be detected by family members or friends nor can the medical test reveal any abnormality.

Stage 3 ("Noticeable Cognitive Decline")

His family members or friends can realize mild change in his memory, behavior or communication patterns. It is now that in one visit to doctor weak Alzheimer's disease or early stage is diagnosed but it is not always recognized.

The Common symptoms of stage 3 include:

·Problems finding the appropriate words or people names ·Noticeable difficulty in participating in social affairs or employments ·Forgetting what has been recently read ·Misplacing objects and happening increasingly ·Reduction in planning and organizational skills

 

 

 

 

Stage 4 ("Early-Stage/ Mild Alzheimer's")

Cognitive decline should be more obvious. Patient becomes more forgetful about personal details or recent events. The rest of the problems consist of impaired mathematical skill, a poor ability to perform difficult tasks like managing finances, social withdrawal and moodiness.

Stage 5 ("Middle-Stag/ Moderate Alzheimer's")

He needs help carrying out his daily tasks. Problems with thinking and memory are now well noticeable, having symptoms like:

·unable to recall someone's key details or personal contact information ·Disorientation to place or time ·the ability in skills and judgment regarding personal care is decreased

 

 

Despite the clear symptoms, the patient usually knows his name and his family members. He can use bathroom by himself.

Stage 6 (The Middle-Stage of Moderate to Late-Stage of Severe Alzheimer's)

The most tricky stage for caregivers is stage 6. As memory continues declining, aid is required for many daily activities. Behavior and personality change.

The symptoms in this stage are:

·Reduction in consciousness of one's recent events and of surroundings ·Patient can distinguish the faces of unfamiliar and familiar but cannot recall names.

·Sun downing, known as agitation and increased restlessness in evening and late afternoon ·Trouble using the restroom without assistance ·Incontinence of bladder and bowel ·Wandering ·Suspicion ·Repetitive actions (nonverbal and/or verbal)

 

Stage 7 ("Late-Stage/Severe Alzheimer's")

In the last stage, usually patient cannot respond to his surrounding environment at all. Communication is enormously limited despite the few words that are exchanged.

Total care is required around the clock as the essential functions start to shut down for instance swallowing ability and motor coordination.

Although this is an outline for the sequence of "Alzheimer's symptoms" but as the caregivers report not all go through similarly and the rate of their progress is highly individual. They report that the patient seems he is in more than one stage at once.

Marie Mullis

b-mglobalsales.com

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11y ago
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14y ago

There are lots of places. Just Google it.

Alzheimer's Association: www.alz.org

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10y ago

If one is interested in learning about Alzheimers, I would suggest going to the website titled "Alz." This website is dedicated solely to the study of this disease.

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Wiki User

14y ago

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive memory loss disease. The Alzheimer's Association is on the web at alz.org.

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10y ago

You can find information about dementia either through your primary care physician, or through a specialist in your area dealing with this disesases.

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