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Alzheimer FactsThroughout time, people have noticed that as they age, the elderly often become "senile", losing their memory, acting strange or confused, seeming not "all there". As medical science has improved, though, specific conditions have been diagnosed as diseases and not simply something generic like "senility". Alzheimers is one of these. What is Alzheimers disease? Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease of the brain, meaning the brains functions are declining and essentially breaking down so that the cognitive functions are no longer intact. Although there is not one particular test to say whether or not you have Alzheimer’s, the brain shows some traits of abnormal areas are made up of whacked out proteins. These are called amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles. This disease is seen more often in people 65 and over, although it can start in your 40's or 50's. It is important to have your families medical history so you can discuss symptoms and history with a doctor if you or a family member are trying to figure out if it is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s Disease is frequently referred to as AD. This online guide was designed to answer questions and offer you some resources for further information.
Diagnosis: What Are The Symptoms of Alzheimers?The symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary and can be confused with other diseases or disorders. Alzheimer’s affects your cognitive functions, your ability to learn, memorize, remember memories or basic everyday things, and affects your attention skills, language deterioration, and your overall personality. Alzheimer’s can make a person have a restless personality which would include anger, confusion, mood swings and the inability to make good decisions. When preparing for a doctor’s appointment whether it is for you, a spouse or other family member, it may be helpful to write down the symptoms experienced for the week prior as a guideline and indicator to your doctor. Giving a full family history will be very helpful as well, especially if is anyone in your family with dementia or Alzheimer’s. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are several medications to assist with the symptoms and you should ask the Doctor which would be appropriate for your stage.What Are the Different Stages of Alzheimer’s?Some general guidelines for AD stages are just that, as some of these signs could also be regular signs of aging. However, ongoing symptomatic stages are a clear sign of the progressiveness of this disease. For instance, first symptoms may consist of small memory lapses like forgetting where your keys were left or a hat or general everyday items. Also, one could forget words that are heavy use words,like it's on the tip of your tongue but can't quite get it. These are types of symptoms only you would notice or the person with the onset of AD. As the disease progresses additional symptoms could include not remembering what you read in the newpaper that day or not remembering names of people you just met in a social situation, or perhapslosing the capability to organize. These symptoms are usually noticeable to family or people who are around you on a regular basis. The next stage would include lacking the ability to organize a small event at your home perhaps, like a holiday dinner or other daily rituals, empty dishwasher, take out trash, etc, or even remembering your own personal history may be fuzzy as well as things you've done recently. After that, the disease would progress to a stage that shows clear signs not remembering about their own family or themselves without being reminded, they begin to forget their phone number, address or becoming confused about their whereabouts. At this point, one generally could use some extra help to manage their day. The second to last stage, requires help using the bathroom, needs help getting dressed and memory difficulties become much worse. The last stage is the worst as this is when the person needs help all day long to do regular functions like remembering to wipe themselves after going to bathroom, they are no able to exist in a regular world as we they once knew, they really don't know too much about their surroundings at this point. They cannot eat on their own, walk without assistance, and they have pretty lost their motor skills and speech. For more details about these stages go to alz.org click on the education center to learn more. Once there, click stages for additional information. They also offer information about early stages, myths about Alzheimer’s and more.While there is no one diagnosis, there are some markers that they use as guidelines for diagnosis. For instance, a thorough medical history including information about prescription drugs you may be taking, daily activities, family history. It may be helpful to ask a family member to go with you to your appointment incase you are not able to recall certain information. They should give you a physical exam that will include checking your auditory and visual systems take blood to check vital signs as well. They should draw blood to check for vitamins deficiencies, liver functions, blood discrepancies and other hidden illnesses. In addition to the physical and written information they may want to do some memory tests, problem solving tests, audio and visual testing,mental math and check for attention awareness and other varieties of cognitive issues as well. MRI's are also a way they can rule out other diseases. To learn more about diagnosis, Alzheimer’s specialists near you and treatment possibilities, go to alzinfo.org.
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