Alzheimer's Disease
Andrew Martin
Definition of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's Disease is a age related, non- reversible brain disorder that develops over a period of years. AD is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. In AD, the brain cells degenerate and die, causing a decline in memory and mental function. AD is the only cause of death in America in the top ten that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.
Signs and Symptoms
At first the signs of AD may go unnoticed as a bad day or just being tired but truly the signs could be much more than that. Firstly you'll start to notice increasing forgetfulness or mild confusion, but over time the disease robs you of more than just your memory and mental skills. But the rate of which the disease worsens varys from person to person according to doctors.
Treatment
Currently there are no medicines that can slow the progression of AD. However, four FDA-approved medications are used to help AD symptoms. These medicines help individuals carry out the activities of daily living by maintaining thinking, memory, or speaking skills. They can also help with some of the behavioral and personality changes associated with AD. However, they will not stop or reverse AD and appear to help individuals for only a few months to a few years.
Prognosis
In very few families, people develop Alzheimer's Disease in their 30s, 40s, and 50s. This is known as "Early Onset" AD. These people have a mutation in 1 of 3 different inherited genes that causes AD to begin at an earlier age. More than 90% of AD develops in people older than 65. This form of AD is called "late-onset" AD, and its development and pattern of damage in the brain is similar to that of early-onset AD.
Personal Statement
I hoped to learn more about this disease and find out what may have caused AD and what are the symptoms beyond memory loss and loss of mental functionality. Finally I learned that AD is a degenerative disease that affects the brain by destroying brain cells leading to overall loss of mental functionality.
Citations
- "Alzheimer's Disease |Causes|Stages|Treatment|Prognosis."EPainAssist. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
- "INI Foundation." Alzheimer's Disease -. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
- "How to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease." WikiHow. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
- "Alzheimer's Disease: Is It Preventable?" - Northwest Asian Weekly |. 26 Mar. 2015. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
- "Alzheimer's Disease." - Mayo Clinic. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.\
- "NINDS Alzheimer's Disease Information Page." Alzheimer's Disease Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Web. 10 Dec. 2015.