Alzheimer's Disease
By: Caroline Barent
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's Disease is a disease that develops over time and infects the brain's nerve cells, or the neurons. This disease causes changes in behavior,language and skills, thinking, and loss of memory.
Fast Facts
- Alzheimer's is a dominant trait
- There are more than three million cases of Alzheimer's a year.
- Alzheimer's develops from dementia
- There most common age of people with Alzheimer's are 65 years and older
- The chromosome for Alzheimer's disease typically is located on Chromosome 19
- The disease is inherited through genes and family history
- Genes and environmental factors influence Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's is a neurological disorder
Alzheimer's Discovery
In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer first discovered Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Alois was a German physician, who presented a case to a medical team about a 51 year old woman who had an unknown brain disorder.
Alzheimers Awarness
There are many groups organized to help people with Alzheimer's and their families, like the Alzheimer's association. The clinical Neurosciences Center creates treatment plans for patients with the disease.
Lokai
Support for Alzheimer;s continues with the month of awareness, November and wearing the color purple. The Lokai bracelet group has teamed up with the Alzheimer's association to sell these limited addition purple bracelets and give back to the association.
Effects of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease causes many side effects. The most common effects are memory loss, short temper/ behavior changes, confusion, problems with eyesight, lack in following directions and concentrating. Many of these can cause emotional harm to the carrier or family around them.
Life After Diagnosis
The average life expectancy after diagnosis is 8-10 years.However, you could live anywhere from 3-20 years after diagnosed. Although this isn't always true, the earlier that you are diagnosed, the longer you may live. Typically, the time between Alzheimer's sympotoms beginning and getting a diagnosis is 2.8 years.
How can I cure Alzheimer's Disease?
There is no known was of preventing or curing this disease. Several medicines are currently being researched to find a cure, but none are working at the moment. You can however, get medicines for the side effects of Alzheimer's like depression, sleep loss, and behavior issues. No tests can actually be preformed to find out if someone has Alzheimer's. Doctors can look at your health history, brain imaging tests, and ruling out other diseases to find out if you have Alzheimer's. Though, a confirmation of the disease can only come after death with an autopsy of the brain.