ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
2006-10-09 10:31:10 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. It occurs when brain tissue degeneration causes a progressive deterioration in mental functioning and ability.
Memory and the ability to think clearly are gradually lost over time. There may be a change in personality. For example, someone who used to be a calm person may become agitated or upset more easily. Behaviour problems and difficulties communicating may also occur.
Those with severe Alzheimer's may find it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as dressing, washing and eating. As time passes they may not recognise people or their surroundings, so it's common for them to go for a walk and get lost. Other problems, such as depression, may also develop.
About 400,000 people in the UK are believed to have Alzheimer's disease. It's more likely to develop as people get older and affects up to one in five of those over 80 years old. But it can affect younger people, with about seven in 100 people being affected by the age of 65.
Although there is no definite way of preventing Alzheimer's there is some evidence that regular exercise, not being overweight, keeping cholesterol and blood pressure at normal levels, eating a healthy diet rich in the antioxidant vitamins C and E, and eating oily fish may help to prevent it.
Drugs are available that may slow the loss of mental function in mild to moderate cases of Alzheimer's disease. Treatment can be given for problems such as depression. Techniques to aid memory, such as writing lists or reminders, can be helpful in the early stages.
If someone has Alzheimer's there's a higher risk of someone else in their family developing the disease. But, inherited genetic factors are responsible in only a small number of families - who are said to have familial Alzheimer's disease.
When the disease is inherited it tends to lead to early onset of Alzheimer's, usually between ages 35 and 60. One of several different genes may be at fault, such as the presenilin-1 gene on chromosome 14 or the amyloid precursor protein gene on Chromosome 21.
Most cases of Alzheimer's develop later in life and the genetic link is weaker. The genes at fault here are those for apolipoprotein E. Problems with these genes increase the risk of disease but don't make it certain - other factors are involved.
2006-10-09 10:45:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
In a fundamentals of Caregiving class, Alzheimers was described to us this way: (Draw it out)
Picture a bunch of grapes.
This is your mind / memorys.
At the tip of the buch are your most current memorys, like what you had for breakfast.
The next part up is what you did last month, the nest a year ago, ect...
The very top of the bunch, the widest part is your earliest memories, like when you were four and the dog scared you, when you were potty trained, learned to walk and talk and eat.
WHen your memory starts to go with this diesese, it take the freshest memories first.
Slowly the grape bunch is plucked away.
A story was told of an elderly woman who kept having BMs in the right corner of her room. It was later found that what she was remembering was that "mom" keeps the potty chair in the right corner. She didn't remember anything beyond that point.
I hope this helps.
2006-10-09 12:51:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Doing a case study usually means you are studying an actual person with the disease, not interviewing people online.
I have an extensive blog about it. See below.
2006-10-10 00:23:03 · answer #3 · answered by Gevera Bert 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers disease when she was about 58 yrs old. She died when she was 66 years old. I was in my 20's.
My mom was very young when she was diagnosed.
If you can be more specific, I can answer your questions.
2006-10-09 10:42:42 · answer #4 · answered by happydawg 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My answer is no two people are alike and it is a hard disease to care for, requires patience, trying to understand and a lot of patience.
2015-11-06 10:46:55 · answer #5 · answered by PATRICIA 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything Karen S said is true. i am taking care of my mom who has it and it is very hard. give Karen S the best answer award.
2006-10-09 10:52:25 · answer #6 · answered by goodgirl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
sorry i would help but for some reason i have forgotten the question
2006-10-09 10:42:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋