Alzheimer’s Disease

General Information on Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), or presenile dementia, is a degenerative brain disorder that involves gradual mental deterioration. The first and most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is gradual memory loss. The most gradual form is characterized by a slow progression of the deterioration, and most begins in adults between the ages of 65 and 70. The more rapidly progressing disease may begin as early as 35 to 45 years of age. The cause is unknown. Alzheimer’s is linked to genetic factors, a family history, and possibly circulation deficiencies to the brain.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early stage Alzheimer’s:
Forgetful of recent event and information
Difficulty performing routine and daily tasks (usual housework and maintaining a checkbook.)
Personality changes
Poor judgement
Poor impulse control

Later stage AD:
Difficulty performing simple tasks
Failure to recognize family and familiar people
Difficulty feeding one’s self
Poor hygiene
Belligerence
Denial of disease
Wandering
Anxiety
Insomnia
Loss of sexual inhibition

Final or Advanced stage:
Total memory loss
Loss of speech
Loss of muscle function
Loss of bowel and bladder control

Treatments For Alzheimer’s Disease

The first form of diagnosis comes from your own observations and observations of your symptoms by others. Your health care provider will perform a series of medical tests. No single test can diagnose Alzheimer’s. Some medical tests include cognitive tests, blood and urine studies, spinal fluid studies, heart studies, a CT scan the brain, a MRI and PET scan, and other tests will help your doct6or rule out other possible disorders. Genetic tests are currently implemented to help your doctor identify inherited forms of the disorder.

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment is designed to slow disease progress, improve a patients quality of life, and make the patient more comfortable. Drugs are used to control behavior, mood, and anxiety. End-stage disease is usually addressed with personal care provided by an assisted living facility or an in-home practitioner. Death usually occurs around 8 to 10 years after diagnosis.

If you are experiencing symptoms similar to those listed above, contact your doctor for further evaluation.

Personal Experience

Alzheimer’s Disease - personal experiences