What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is probably one of the commonest causes of
Dementia. It is a degenerative disease of the brain that
effectively starts in the cerebral cortex. It is mostly
characterised by the gradual and progressive decline in a
person's mental abilities. It affects both sexes generally those
who are over the age of 60, yet Alzheimer's has been known to
occur in people as early as age 40.
The earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are simple
forgetfulness. This is mostly disregarded especially if the
person is elderly, as it is commonly put down to their age, but
it steadily progresses to more severe symptoms such as trouble
in performing easy or regular tasks such as fastening buttons or
tying shoelaces.
There is a progressive deterioration in both the person's mental
and bodily state and abilities additionally, also their recall.
There is also a difference in the actions and personality of the
person with Alzheimer's, with their ordinary actions becoming a
thing of the past. For example someone who has always been
gentle and kind may begin to use filthy words and make
inappropriate sexual advances or become violent and begin
striking and lashing out at people.
In the later stages of Alzheimer's, the person eventually
becomes incapable of performing any task at all. They also
become doubly incontinent, lose their power of speech, lose the
ability to walk properly, suffer paralysis and lose their total
memory.
If treatment is given early enough, it can slightly slow down
the disease, but unfortunately it is incurable at the time of
writing.
Once Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed, then the person should be
given as much help and aid as feasible, especially in the early
stages. Unfortunately many people who are diagnosed with
Alzheimer's disease are conscious at first that something is
wrong with them (although they may go into denial), and being
aware you are "losing your mind" can be a truly shocking and
frightening experience.
Their family ought, also to be given help to come to terms with
the diagnosis as it can have a distressing effect on them
especially if the person with Alzheimer's is younger and brings
in part of the household income.
There are several support groups they can join who will help
them to adjust and come to terms with the life altering disease
that has befallen their loved one.
In the very later stages of Alzheimer's disease, the person gets
so bad that many families have no choice but to place their
relation in a nursing home so they can be cared for
professionally. This can also be distressing for both them and
the person who is ill.
The reason for Alzheimer's disease is not known, yet scientists
and doctors have many thoughts about its origins. There have
been many theories such as the deposition of aluminium in the
brain, to fluoride in the water but nothing has been positively
identified as the course of this horrible disease.