|
What is Alzheimer’s Disease? People whose loved ones are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease often are not aware of any changes in the person until the disease has progressed. A forgotten date here, misplaced keys there—it all seems like normal behavior, and these types of follies do happen on occasion. But when these occasions start to rack up, Alzheimer’s disease may be the culprit.
What Happens
Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain. As the disease progresses, it causes nerve cells in the brain to die. This makes it especially hard for the brain to process and transmit signals correctly. This can lead to problems with memory, impaired judgment, and clouded thinking. Patients with Alzheimer’s disease may find going to work difficult, and they may begin to have difficulty performing daily tasks like eating, dressing, and bathing. The death of nerve cells in the brain occurs gradually over a number of years.
Alzheimer’s disease is the primary cause of dementia in many patients. Dementia is not one particular disorder, but rather is a group of symptoms caused by another disorder—in this case, Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia results in the loss of mental functions, including reasoning, memory, and thinking. The loss of function is severe enough to impair a person’s daily activities. Symptoms of dementia can also include changes in mood, personality, and behavior. Dementia that is brought on by Alzheimer’s disease differs from the dementia experienced by people going through drug or alcohol withdrawal or another disorder. Dementia as a result of Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured. In some patients, Alzheimer’s may do its damage over a
shorter period than in others. It is important to learn about the
disease so patients can be fully armed with information as to what the
disease does and the outlook they can expect if diagnosed. Although
Alzheimer’s disease cannot be prevented, there are several drugs on the
market that can effectively treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
People who suspect they or a loved one may have the disease should seek a
diagnosis immediately so treatment can begin and they can have the best
chance of alleviating symptoms.
There are two types of Alzheimer's disease namely the early onset type and the other one, the late onset. Usually, the symptoms will before 60 years for the early onset type. Its exact cause is not known although it is thought to depend on genetic and environmental factors. It is diagnosed according to the symptoms distinguished while excluding other causes of dementia. The span of time for the disease varies from five and 20 years depending on the age it was contacted. The common symptoms for the disease will include observance of the individual saying repeating statements and sentences, mislaying of items, forgetting names of familiar objects and people, change in personality such as being less spontaneous and retreat from social activities, lose of interest in things enjoyed before, difficulty in performing complex tasks, and mood changes. In the advanced stage, more symptoms obviously seen are loss of memory in current events; forgetting their own self and events in their life, cannot choose proper clothing, feel dejected, nervous and involve themselves in fantasy and they have the difficulty in performing common task such as preparing meals and driving. During the final stage of Alzheimer’s, the patient cannot survive with out the assistance of a caregiver. Such symptoms as not understanding the language and not being able to communicate, cannot recognize the members of the family, and cannot do the daily basic things like eating daily meals, dressing up and bathing themselves are readily seen until such time when the patient finally dies. Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease There have been recent findings about the possibility of reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Although it is hard to point out how these can be the answered cure, it is not yet definite since up to now, the cause of the disease is yet unknown. These findings came about with the use of current technology, practicing balanced nutrition and following a healthy lifestyle. Because of the advantage of high and current trends in technology, there are advanced machines that can see through clear images and processes that are going on in our bodies and this is how the protein called amyloid precursor was found out to be a cause once it builds up or forms plaque in the brain. A brain scan for patients acquiring the disease was diagnosed of having these deposits in their brain. When these machines were invented a long time ago, these could have prevented the symptoms from getting worse because the process of developing the disease can only be stopped or reduced in its earlier course. Nowadays, the drug that will be used to work on this function utilizing the effect of the particular protein is still being developed. There would have been no problem if we had been heeding the advice of our elders to eat fibrous fruits and vegetables. There was a recent conducted study that balanced nutrition will reduce the risk of contacting the disease. The study yielded results that the Mediterranean diet, when strictly followed, lowered the risk of mental problems. This diet is observed to be a balanced one because it allows red meat and poultry in small quantities but high in fish, fruits and vegetables as well as nuts, legumes and cereals. Moderate use of wine is allowed and the main source of fat is sourced from plants which is olive oil. With the inclusion of regular exercise, the risk is all the more reduced. Therefore, older people who are physically active and eating a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables will have a reduced risk of developing the disease. The Role of Caregivers for Patients of Alzheimer's Disease In recent years, it is common knowledge that Alzheimer's still has no cure that’s why for families with patients contacting the disease; services of efficient caregivers are engaged to tend to their needs which are essential in the course of the treatment and for managing the disease. At the onset of the disease, modifications are made to the living conditions and lifestyle of the patient. These must be done for the patient’s safety and will lessen the tasks given to the caregiver. If the patient isn’t able to feed himself, ease of feeding is done by cutting the foods into smaller pieces and if there are teeth problems, pureeing of the foods must be carefully done. Doors and cabinets should be properly locked and labeling of objects must be strictly followed. If it is really necessary, the need for physical restraint should be used but only rarely when there are situations where the safety of the caregivers and people around are threatened. Caregivers’ services are needed for such cases when the patient has oral or dental problems, poor hygiene practices, skin and eye infections, poor nutrition and other problems that need extra and careful attention. It was found out that when caregivers give their all out commitment in the proper care of their patients, as well as obtaining enough knowledge and clear understanding of what the disease is all about and its complications, the patient will not receive aggressive treatment when the end of his life nears. The treatment options must be properly discussed with them in the presence of all the family members to be able to be cleared of their role as caregivers. Orientation must be done to inform them of the medications that the patient will be taking regularly. Their loving care in managing the patients will relieve the patient’s discomfort until the hour of death. Caregivers need to recognize that feelings and emotions are often experienced, especially when the patient is a close family member. The emotions experienced are commonly normal for them but if these feelings will already lead them to depression, the need to find another must be taken into consideration since this situation will not do any good for the patient with Alzheimer’s. Smoking and Alzheimer's Disease Smoking has always a negative connotation for most people because it is considered bad for the health, it’s either affecting the one who smokes or the people present around who can inhale the smoke from the smoker’s cigar. However, it has been known to have a positive effect on people with Alzheimer’s. Depending on whose opinion is right; it is still a matter that needs further study. Smoking is believed to offer a form of protection against Alzheimer's, but this is dependent on the genetic type of a person. Persons who are predisposed to Alzheimer's disease are those that have the APOE epsilon 4 genes which are linked to the development of the disease. If you are found to possess this gene, then smoking may protect you against the condition. It is unfortunate that if you do not have this gene, then the risk of Alzheimer's disease is increased by almost 2½ times. Although it does not mean to say that having the gene will not predispose you to acquiring it but smoking in a way can. Further studies are still needed to support the findings since the reasons for this are still unknown. This is hard to establish since the cause for the development of Alzheimer’s is also unknown. Smoking reduces the blood that is normally supplied throughout the body thus this may be the reason for the development of diseases of the heart and underlying conditions are the factors that cause the onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Oxidative stress or cell aging is also caused by smoking and this further increase the risks of acquiring the disease. It was further believed that smoking affects the brain's neurotransmitters by preventing them from being broken down quickly when one has acquired the condition. Nicotine injections were found to protect those with Alzheimer's since it improves the body’s response to acetylcholine, a vital chemical that works in the development of the human memory. All About Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's disease, named after the famous German physician Alois Alzheimer found out about this in 1906, hence naming this condition after him. It is a brain disease which until today brings about continuous studies as to what are its causes and the definite treatment leading to its eventual cure. It is fatal and progressive, affecting about 5.3 million people today and is the 7th leading cause of death. This causes loss of memory because it destroys the brain cells that create problems to an individual’s way of thinking and behavior socially. Although the exact cause for Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, it is believed that the cause, according to many scientists, is the increase in the production and accumulation of a particular kind of protein, named beta-amyloid protein, which is found in the brain, causing the nerve cell of a person to die. This is commonly seen in individuals after 70 years age. The risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease are hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and other underlying conditions caused by increase of cholesterol level in the blood. Dementia, the loss of memory and intellectual abilities, occurs in 50-80 % of people normally due to Alzheimer's and the most common type of dementia observed among those who have this condition. At first, Alzheimer’s disease affects the parts of the brain that is associated with his thinking, the speech and language, and most of all, the memory. The person starts to forget names of persons, even the familiar members of the household where he belongs and has trouble recognizing their faces. Later, he begins to have trouble in the way he talks, write and read. Still later, it gets worse because he gets aggressive and starts thinking of absurd things. The people in the household consider the situation very stressful and if a caregiver was employed to take care of the patient, will find it a hard time to adjust especially if he is not a family member. Alzheimer’s disease: What Caregivers Can Do Alzheimer's has no cure and the best thing that the family and close friends can do is to engage the services of caregivers who are capable of tending their needs because essentially, this is the only treatment that can make the patient comfortable in order to manage their condition properly, carefully, and lovingly throughout the course of the disease. The role of caregivers in a patient’s life is vital and it is best that members of the patient’s family most especially the spouse will be the one to shoulder this responsibility. Patients having Alzheimer's disease places a great burden on caregivers that’s why families should employ one who has absolute dedication and patience in their care. This is often done in the home which is what the patient and their families also prefer. This option eliminates the very expensive fees for professional services in hospitals and nursing homes and the costly levels of their maintenance and upkeep. At the early part of the disease, modifications should be done to the immediate environment for the safety of the patient and to ease the burden placed in the hands of the caretaker. These are applied to make the routines simple and easily followed such as labeling of items associated to the proper care of the patient like accurate labeling of medicines taken, segregation of the items being used to minimize time in locating it, and putting his personal things in one place. As much as possible, the patient should not be left alone otherwise; the caregiver will have a hard time looking for him when he seems to be lost. The remedy for this is to put locks in most parts of the house where the patient is off limits. When they are not capable of feeding themselves, the caregiver’s role is to reduce the food sizes mechanically by cutting the foods into small sizes or by pureeing. If there are swallowing difficulties present, the caregiver’s patience is put more to the test as this procedure requires liquefying the food first before letting the patient eat with the use of feeding tubes. As much as possible, the use of physical restraints must be avoided unless very necessary; and only if the caregiver’s safety and the people around are threatened. At the progression of the disease, there are different medical issues that may arise and often with regards to the patient’s oral and dental care, problems on hygiene, skin and eye infections and malnutrition. If the caregiver can manage the problems well, professional treatment is not needed but if not, the physician should be consulted. During the final stages of the disease, treatment is revolved around making the patient more comfortable until the end of his life. Are Blueberries the Secret Cure? Flavonoids, are plant components, which is one of the phytonutrients found to be a help in the regular functioning of the body. Although these natural substances do not play major functions, their presence in the diet can make a difference in the fight against certain diseases. These substances have been known to strengthen the immune system, help fight viral and bacterial infections, assist in treating heart diseases and cancer, and reduce inflammation leading to arthritis and brain dysfunction. It is for this reason that the flavonoids in blueberries can be seen as a possible cure for Alzheimer’s. Blueberries are commonly found in the fruit section of most groceries. This blue-violet fruit is available all-year round. Because of its color, the red pigment anthocyanin, which contains the loaded phytonutrient is found to improve memory and function of motor skills when research studies have been done on mice. Blueberries were seen to boost the communication skill of mice believed to have the disease because of failing brain neurons. Patients with Alzheimer's' disease produces the protein, amyloid-beta peptide that seems to cause the development of plaques in an Alzheimer patient’s brain and these material bind with the receptors in the brain and blocks the neuron signals that are mostly required for memory and learning. Located in the hippocampus, these neurons let us transform our short-term memories into permanent ones. As the disease interferes with the brain’s part that is in-charge of communication, it then interferes with our memory. It has been concluded therefore, that blueberries contain compounds that increases the signals of the neurons to make the systems in the brain to use other protein substances and is a sign for them to work and help improve the memory and cognitive skills, especially most of the motor skills. Further studies are now being conducted in the use of blueberries and other fruit varieties to lower the incidence of Alzheimer’s. Pharmaceutical advances are already on the go in developing a possible cure for it. Preventing Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Music Music have been found to work wonders to most people most especially to those who are not feeling well, but for patients with Alzheimer’s, this can be considered a miracle. Music functions differently from one person to the other, but recently, research has found out that listening to it builds and strengthens memory, and this may be the reason why most students can learn more when they study and listen to sounds at the same time. This is also the same reason why pregnant women should practice listening to classical songs to build memory and the processing power of the baby’s brain. Because of this, people with reduced memory or those with memory loss are enjoined to use this in the move to improve their memory and bring back their forgotten valuable skills altogether. The research conducted was a comparable study for normal individuals and those with Alzheimer’s, a disease of individuals who are suffering from short-term memory loss. The testing on the subjects was done by putting them in front of a computer monitor and showing them the lyrics of a song. It has been found out that those experiencing Alzheimer's disease were able to sing the songs properly than their normal counterparts clearly showing that they were able to remember the songs more than the normal individuals. Scientists conducting the research were amazed and didn’t expect this to be the result after the research was performed. Music was found to benefit the ones with Alzheimer's disease more than the normal subjects. This is not a simple function processed by the brain because the mind uses the entire brain to process information from music, the complicated use of all the five senses. Further studies have yet to be made on its possible link to Alzheimer’s and scientists theorized that attaching this to anything will surely improve memory and this finding led them to its use as a possible cure in the treatment of the disease. |
