We're all pretty familiar with Alzheimer's disease or at least have heard about older people who have been diagnosed, but how much do we really know about it? I mean yes, it's is disorder that affects one's memory but what about the symptoms? Treatment? Cure? Allow me to enlighten your minds:
Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia that worsens over time affecting memory, thinking and behavior. It is the SIXTH leading cause of death in America with over four million Americans living with it in our world today! Two types of this Alzheimer's exist: Early onset AD and late onset. Early onset AD is not very common but usually shows symptoms BEFORE the age of sixty. Late onset is much more common and generally occurs AFTER the age of sixty.
Patients with this disease typically suffer from difficulties with language, memory, perception, personality and judgment. Early symptoms of AD can involve losing interest in once-enjoyed activities, getting lost on familiar roads, difficulty with finding the name for a familiar object, misplacing objects and change in personality. As this disorder worsens, the patient begins to lose his ability to take care of himself. His sleeping patterns change and he begins to find it difficult to perform basic tasks such as driving, cooking meals and dressing properly. He may also begin to forget events that occurred in his past life and start withdrawing from social interaction. In the most severe cases of AD, patients can no longer comprehend language, carry out simple actions like eating and bathing, or even recognize their own family members!
However, Alzheimer's disease can be treated and prevented. Medications can be taken to help slow the rate at which symptoms develop, and regular exercise, healthy eating, sufficient sleep, stress management and an active social lifestyle can significantly decrease one's risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the future.
Source: Alzheimer's disease. (2011). A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001767/