...There are many significant health issues that come with aging, one of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys the memory and thinking skills of its victims. Eventually victims of Alzheimer’s lose their ability to complete tasks of daily living (National Institute on Aging, 2013). The discovery of Alzheimer’s disease was made by Dr. Alois Alzheimer upon an examination of the brain of a woman who died of an unusual mental illness. The doctor saw changes in the tissue of the brain. The National Institute on Aging (2013) website states that the symptoms of the woman’s illness were: memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behaviors. In the examination of the brain, the doctor found abnormal clumps and tangled bundles of fibers. The clumps are amyloid plaques and the tangled bundles of fibers are neurofibrillary tangles. These plaques and tangles are two of the main features that accompany Alzheimer’s disease. A third feature is the loss of connection between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain (National Institute on Aging, 2013). Developing some knowledge of what Alzheimer’s disease is will help people understand what the symptoms of the disease are, how the disease is diagnosed and what treatments can be used to help slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease: Symptoms The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are tricky and can be easily written off as a sign of aging. It is not so...
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...| | Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. The basics Symptoms Changes in the brain | | Plaques & tangles Research | | Alzheimer's and dementia basics * Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Bottom of Form * Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s. Learn more: Early Onset Alzheimer's and Risk Factors * Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range...
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...parents, friends, spouse, your address, relatives, even your own name! Scary feeling isn’t it? Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Alzheimer's affects people younger than age 65. Up to 5 percent of the more than 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s have younger-onset. Many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s. Defined by the Mayo Clinic - Alzheimer's is a irreversible disease that causes the brain cells to degenerate and die causing a steady decline in memory and other important mental functions. It's the most common cause of dementia. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, and reasoning—and behavioral abilities — these brain disorders result in the loss of intellectual and social skills and interfere with day-to-day life. Alzheimer's disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps. Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 5.3 million people and is ranked 6th for cause of death in America. A question you may ask is can someone die from Alzheimer’s I would have to say yes. Now you are wondering how can one die from memory loss…well typical complications of Alzheimer's are heart attacks, thromboembolisms (blood clots), strokes, kidney failure, and lung infections...
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...with Alzheimer disease also develop deposits of protein and fibre that prevent the cells from working properly. When this happens, the cells can't send the right signals to other parts of the brain. Over time, brain cells affected by Alzheimer also begin to shrink and denature. Causes of sign and symptoms People with Alzheimer disease also develop deposits of protein and fibre that prevent the cells from working properly. When this happens, the cells can't send the right signals to other parts of the brain. Over time, brain cells affected by Alzheimer also begin to shrink and denature. How it affects the body body systems effected; Central Nervous System, Alzheimer disease is principally a disease of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord. Digestive System- Alzheimer disease adversely affects the digestive system in several ways. Swallowing difficulties occur in people with Alzheimer’s, bowel control is also adversely affected with Alzheimer disease, faecal incontinence occurs in most people with advanced disease. Neuromuscular System- people with advanced Alzheimer lose the ability to use their muscles in fixed ways. Patients with late-stage disease typically lose their ability to walk. The ability to maintain posture to sit safely in a chair may also be lost. The muscles become increasingly rigid as control of the neuromuscular system declines. Physical effects; Apraxia- impairment to perform motor skills, initial loss of skills includes...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory This is a 8 page, 10 resource paper discussing Alzheimer’s disease, discussing the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes for a cure of the disease. Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disease, is the most common cause of dementia. It currently afflicts about 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental impairment in elderly people and accounts for a large percentage of admissions to assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, have been reported in a large proportion of patients with this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these psychotic symptoms can lead to early institutionalization (Bassiony, et all, 2000). Learning about Alzheimer’s disease and realizing that it is much more that just a loss of memory can benefit the families of those with the disorder as well as society as a whole. The purpose of this paper is to look at the disorder, as well as to discuss the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. History Around the turn of the century, two kinds of dementia were defined by Emil Kraepin: senile and presenile. The presenile form was described more in detail by Alois Alzheimer as a progressive deterioration of...
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...Alzheimer’s disease HCA/240 Veronica Brinson Mary Lou. Jenkins August 25, 2013 Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic progressive deterioration of the brain leading to dementia, incapacitation, and death. Dementia is a condition marked by memory loss plus a minimum of one other cognitive impairment. Alzheimer’s disease has been referred to as both the plaque of the ages and the plague of the aged. Alzheimer’s disease was so poorly understood that people who suffered this dementia were label as tormented, affected, pixilated, weird, afflicted, senile, mad, crazy, and spellbound. People with Alzheimer disease were feared, avoided, ignored, and ridiculed. Years and years went by peoples suffered terrible inhuman treatment when their families hid them away from other family members, the public, restrained them at home, locked them up in rooms, and committed them to insane asylums. There are many symptoms follow a set course of decline. There are a wide spectrum of demented actions every person will exhibit every symptom is a downhill regression follow a general pattern of mental regression and physical decline. People with the Alzheimer’s disease the earlier symptoms are recognized the greater chances are to slow and prevent the progression of dementia. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are short-term memory loss, confusion, disorientation, wandering, mood swing, sundowner’s syndrome, eating habits and weight loss(changes) personal care, depression, agitation...
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...Did you know that Alzheimer’s disease is the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed? Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. It is the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 in 3 senior citizens end up getting Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia in their lifetime. And many of those who have Alzheimer’s disease have not been diagnosed. Today I’m going to inform you on how to be able to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease through the causes, symptoms, along with further prevention, medication, and research. Alzheimer’s is a tricky disease to find and understand because there are no direct causes with it. Doctor Alois Alzheimer was the first doctor to identify the first case of Alzheimer’s disease. He realized something was different with a woman’s brain tissue after she had passed away from an unusual mental illness. This woman’s name was Auguste Deter. Her symptoms were memory loss, language problems, and unusual behavior. Scientists have discovered that brain damage beings to start around a decade before the patient shows signs of memory loss. The beginning damage appears to take place in the hippocampus, which is that part of the brain that forms and keeps the memories. As more neurons become damaged, more and more parts of the brain are being affected. At the final stage of Alzheimer’s, the damage is all throughout...
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...Alzheimer's disease was discovered by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who did a great deal of research in the early 20th century regarding the disease. Research implies that there are some risk factors that seem to be linked in people with Alzheimer's disease. Much research has been done to try and track the origin of Alzheimer's disease, and many include environmental and genetic causes. (3) Alzheimer's is classified into two types; familial AD, which runs in families and follows inheritance patterns, and sporadic AD, in which no clear pattern of inheritance is found. Family history is considered a major risk factor. Individuals who have a relative with the disease are much more likely to develop it themselves. (4) Alzheimer's affects over four million people in the United Stares. Researchers predict that as the baby boomer generation begins to age, Alzheimer's could impact as many as 14 million people nationwide. The number of Alzheimer's cases is growing rapidly, afflicting 10% or more of people aged 65 or older and almost half of those over age 85. Alzheimer's is slightly more prevalent in woman than men. (3) Aging greatly increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is usually seen in those over age 65, a rare and threatening type of Alzheimer's can occur in younger people in their 40s and 50s. This type is usually a result of family history or traumatic brain injuries experienced earlier in life. Aging in normally associated with the decline in the abilities to remember...
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...101/Professor Dunleavy October 5, 2014 Psychology: Chapter 2 Project Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, and the disease typically accounts for around sixty to eighty percent of dementia cases (“What is Alzheimer’s?,” 2014). Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable disease that effects the brain and brain cells. The majority of the people effected by Alzheimer’s disease are typically over the age of sixty five. Age is not the only factor to getting Alzheimer’s disease, but a few other causes will be described later in the paper. Alzheimer’s disease is a little over a century old now, as it was first discovered in the year 1906. Although it was discovered in 1906, it did not gain its official name until 1910. The disease is named after the discoverer, Alois Alzheimer. Now let’s discuss some other causes, effects, and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are not yet fully understood by scientist, but it has become clearer over the years. Multiple scientists over the years believe that Alzheimer’s disease results from a combination of many different factors. A few of these factors are age, genetics, lifestyle, and the degeneration of brain cells. Although these causes are not one hundred percent clear, it is clear that Alzheimer’s disease has a huge effect on the brain. The main cause out of these few factors is due to degeneration of brain cells. This disease damages and kills thousands of brain cells, causing the brain to begin...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease: Not Just Loss of Memory Introduction Alzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative brain disease, is the most common cause of dementia. It currently afflicts about 4 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of mental impairment in elderly people and accounts for a large percentage of admissions to assisted living homes, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities. Psychotic symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations, have been reported in a large proportion of patients with this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these psychotic symptoms can lead to early institutionalization (Bassiony, et all, 2000). Learning about Alzheimer’s disease and realizing that it is much more that just a loss of memory can benefit the families of those with the disorder as well as society as a whole. The purpose of this paper is to look at the disorder, as well as to discuss the history, symptoms, diagnosis and hopes of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. History Around the turn of the century, two kinds of dementia were defined by Emil Kraepin: senile and presenile. The presenile form was described more in detail by Alois Alzheimer as a progressive deterioration of intellect, memory and orientation. As a neuropathologist, Alzheimer studied the case a 51 year-old woman. When she died, Alzheimer performed an autopsy and found that she had “cerebral atrophy”...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease Kathryn Hardcastle, PSY 340 February 5, 2012 Chris Garwick-Foley Alzheimer ’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes a gradual and irreversible decline of cognitive abilities (Feldman, 2010, p. 325). Informally known as “old timers” disease, it strikes more than half of the elderly community greater than age 85 (Feldman, 2010). In addition to the loss of memory there are also major neurological, functional, and behavioral changes as well. There are a few risk factors including age, family history, and head injuries. There is no definitive way of predicting that a person will get Alzheimer’s, but there are genetic markers and neurological tests that can signify a person’s chances at acquiring Alzheimer’s later in life (Association, 2012). Although there is no cure at this time there are methods to treating symptoms, and leading a healthy lifestyle, eating right, and staying fit both mentally and physically can help with prevention. Defining Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is neurological and affects short-term memory, behavior, the ability to match words with familiar objects, and attention span. The disease is degenerative with the gradual loss of neurological function. Alzheimer’s is distinguished from other dementias by the presence of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (Swaminathan, 2011). These create a disruption in the synapses responsible for critical thinking and changes in...
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...http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE * Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Bottom of Form * Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. But Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s. * Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions. * Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop Alzheimer's from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening...
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...Alzheimer’s Disease is a type of dementia, a term for a decrease in mental ability that affects your memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s Disease progressively worsens over time. The longer Alzheimer’s is in your system, the more difficult it is to do daily activities. Alzheimer’s affects about 4.5 million Americans. The majority of people that have Alzheimer’s Disease are at least 65 years old. However, Alzheimer’s is not just for the old. 5% of people with Alzheimer’s suffer from early onset Alzheimer’s. This often affects people in their 40s and 50s. In 1901, Dr. Alois Alzheimer was working in a German mental hospital. He met a woman there who showed signs of dementia. She often made false accusations and used strange words for...
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...Alzheimer's Disease Picture of the brain areas: It is the cortex that makes us human -- our ability to plan, calculate, imagine and create. When the cortex of the brain function normally, it creates a person, someone with a particular pattern of feelings, beliefs, reactions and thoughts, and these transcend the purely physical. A working cortex produces an individual pattern of emotion, aspiration and experience that defines the character and the personality. Unfortunately, it is the cortex, this brain-cell layer half an inch(1.25cm) thick on the surface of the brain, that is most affected by Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease, or more accurately, a group of disorders that results in impaired memory, thinking and behaviour. It afflicts approximately 4 million Americans and as many as 15 million people worldwide. Research has also shown that Alzheimer's disease is more prevalent among women than among men, and this prevalence increases with age. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, which is not a disease itself but rather a group of symptoms that involve a loss of intellectual function severe enough to interfere with daily activities. Formerly called senility, dementia was once thought to be a normal and almost inevitable accompaniment of aging. Today many doctors and researchers believe that dementia occurs in the elderly only when they are afflicted with specific diseases or disorders. Some of these...
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...head: Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease Brenda Silva Waubonsee Community College PSY 205 Research Paper Mr. Scott Hollenback October 27, 2011 Alzheimer Disease As Kevin Arnold quotes, “Memory is a way of holding on to things you love, the things you are, and the things you never want to lose.” Memories are the things we uphold. Whether it’s bad or good, those memories are engraved in us and can’t be stolen from us. But what if as time goes by, those memories are losing? Worst, you’re even losing your language skills, ability to recognize familiar things and you feel sense of depression. This means, as a person grows old he/she experiences deterioration in one’s self. Now, we are currently living in the age of technology. Our advancements in the past few decades overshadow everything learned in the last 2000 years. This increase has bought with it a large increase in disease afflicting the elderly community. AD once thought to be a natural part of aging, is a severely debilitating form of mental dementia. Although some other types of dementia are curable or effectively treatable, there is currently no cure for Alzheimer. A general overview of AD including the clinical description, diagnosis, and progression of symptoms, helps one to further understand the treatment and care of patients. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss...
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