Battling Alzheimer

By John Deggendorf

As we age, we naturally have difficulty remembering things or finding the right words to say. This is normal. However, Dementia is not normal. The condition causes mental changes that make it difficult to function and carry out our normal lives, not just remember names and dates.

Dementia causes a decline in mental functioning, particularly memory, which makes what was once a simple task into an impossible challenge. There is difficulty finding the right words, and confusion sets in when there are too many tasks at once. There can be a change in personality that leads to aggression, paranoia, inappropriate or bizarre behavior, or depression.

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By Candice Sabrina

With an estimated 5-million plus Americans alone suffering from Alzheimers disease, there is no denying this condition is a real problem. With no definitive cause or cure, Alzheimers is characterized by its slow, but steady ravaging of a person’s mental capacity.

The symptoms of the disease vary a bit from person to person and also between stages. Very early signs of the disease include very minor forgetfulness, which can be attributed to many other causes, as well. As the disease progresses, there is a greater loss of mental abilities. In its final stages, Alzheimers patients are typically totally dependant on caregivers for everything from feedings to tying their shoes.

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By Riley Hendersen

Dementia is defined as a progressive loss of memory and mental capacity that is usually experienced by people as they get older, though there isn’t any predetermined age in which such a condition can strike. Dementia is a slow, progressive disease process that can exhibit signs and symptoms for months, or even years. Of all the types of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most prevalent. Almost 70% of dementia cases are diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease, and the word has spread far and wide with its alarming, irreversible and dehabilitating consequences.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and results in gradual memory loss of both long-term and short-term memory capabilities, as well as personality change and impaired ability to reason and think. It isn’t difficult for a physician to diagnose dementia, and several tests will help determine whether or not you or a loved one might be experiencing early stage Alzheimer’s. The disease affects people differently, as well as their life expectancy after diagnosis. Some people decline rapidly while others don’t. Some people live only a few years after diagnosis, while others live twenty or more years with the disease. Today, roughly four million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the United States alone. It is most common in people over 65 years of age, though people in their forties and fifties have been diagnosed with it as well. For about 10% of those diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s in their forties and fifties, there is a family history of the disease present.

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By Kevin McNally

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common dementia type with over 50% of cases reported. Dementia types will share common themes but each one does have slightly different factors that effect the brain.

Dementia types include

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By Riley Hendersen

No two people are alike and that is true of patients experiencing the stages of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that robs one of his or her ability to reason, remember and function by slowly killing brain cells. The Alzheimer’s Association has outlined seven stages of Alzheimer’s based on research done by experts in the field. This information can guide families thorough this disease that is often difficult to understand.

Some patients may skip some stages of Alzheimer’s or some may be in one stage for many years. Alzheimer’s patients live an average of three to 20 years after they are diagnosed.

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By Linda J Bruton

Alzheimer’s disease gets its name from Alois Alzheimerwho was born in Southern Germany in 1864. Dr Alzheimer first described the disease in 1906 after performing an autopsy on the brain of one of his patients. Dr. Alzheimer discovered that the brain had virtually turned to a “sticky goop” with abnormal clumps and tangled bundles of fibers.

Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain are considered signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Alzheimer had been treating the patient for a mental disorder that he described as “madness” but realized that the brain of the patient had literally been destroyed.

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By Linda J Bruton

There are some exciting results from clinical trials and recent research that shows that individuals can reduce their risks of Alzheimer’s disease by following a healthy diet regimen.

There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, some of the clinical studies are so positive that there seems to be a consensus that individuals can control their destiny.

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By Linda J Bruton

Alzheimer’s disease represents a dismal future for older adults in this country. An Alzheimer’s diagnoses is the most devastating news that one can receive from a Doctor as it relates to personal health or the healthy of a loved ones. There are no drugs on the market that can cure Alzheimer’s. The diagnosis is an agonizing death sentence because death is the final result.

The most frustrating part of the Alzheimer’s crisis is there is no known single cause. There are some specific statistics concerning Alzheimer’s that may help you understand the wide spread devastation of this disease and how it can impact families, communities. and the nation as a whole.

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By Linda J Bruton

When Ronald Reagan was dying of Alzheimer’s disease, Nancy Reagan became interested in stem cell research and its potential for treating Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, there has been a continuing growing voice of supporters on this issue.

Ronald Reagan’s death from Alzheimer’s disease increased the support for human embryonic stem cell research. This research requires the destruction of human embryos. Many supporters of stem cell research believe that the transplants of show great potential for curing certain diseases such as Parkinson’s and diabetes. Medical researchers believe that someday, embryo cell studies may lead to insights into Alzheimer’s.

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By Linda J Bruton

The research for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is actually accelerating. This neurodegenerative disease that adversely affects millions of older Americans is receiving continued assistance from the Alzheimer Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading national advocate for Alzheimer’s disease. The National Alzheimer’s Association provides ongoing support and funding for research and education for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease affects the higher cortical functions of the brain. The functions that are compromised include memory, thinking and orientation. The Alzheimer’s Association in conjunction with the pharmaceutical industry provides ongoing testing and facilitation for research that will stop the progression of this disease.

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