What is Alzheimer?

Question

What is this disease?

Answer 1

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. It is progressive, and as the brain functioning deteriorates, the individual becomes more and more dependent. Eventually even swallowing ability is lost.

The exact mechanism is unknown but it seems there is plaque build up and other physical changes in the terrain of the brain. The progressive loss of cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease is accompanied by pathologic (disease-associated) changes in the brain. One of these is the formation of plaques - sometimes described as tiny "brillo pads" - in the space between nerve cells. The plaques are comprised of a brain protein called beta amyloid. Another protein, called tau, which normally channels chemical messages inside nerve cells, deforms and collapses into neurofibrillary tangles that appear like twisted bits of thread inside nerve cells.

As the disease progresses, nerve cells in several brain areas shrink and die, including cells that normally produce critical neurotransmitters

If you think of each memory we have as an island, than the neurotransmitters are the bridges that help us connect to that memory. Have you ever hit your palm to your head or shaken your head to try and remember something? It helps you to reform that bridge to that memory. Now imagine that the memory may be the names of your children or even how to swallow.

The progression can take 10-15 years but is considered terminal. It is a slow day by day, month by month loss for the families. Since we often see personality changes, even combativeness, it is heartbreaking. There are a couple of medications that can stay the tide for short periods, but they lose effectiveness quickly.

The latest research indicates that keeping the brain active, such as learning a language, can slow the decline. If you are with someone with Alzheimer's, help them build the bridges. By answering the same questions over and over, you are ctually helping them to remember.

Here is the best link for more info. They are a great support.
http://www.alzinfo.org/

Hope this helps

Answer 2

It is a disease that is caused by aging. You can also forget things.........ok we had a health test on this a week ago and I can't remember now! wait let me get my book....

Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations.

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new treatments are on the horizon as a result of accelerating insight into the biology of the disease. Research has also shown that effective care and support can improve quality of life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease from diagnosis to the end of life.

Answer 3

http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw136623

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition that affects areas of the brain involved in memory, intelligence, judgment, language, and behavior. It is the most common form of mental decline, or dementia, in older adults.

Alzheimer's disease is more severe than the mild memory loss that many people experience as they grow older. Alzheimer's disease also affects behavior, personality, the ability to think clearly, and the ability to carry out daily activities. Close family members usually notice symptoms first, although the person affected also may realize that something is wrong.

Answer 4

Alzheimers is an advanced form of Someheimers. Once you get older it chages from some, to all memory loss

Answer 5

is the disease in which person loose his recent memory, he don't remember what he eat on breakfast or who he see today, but he remember when he was small, and how he live. the problem is in the brain

Answer 6

I forget