What Is Alzheimers?
Causing problems with memory, behavior, and thinking, Alzheimer is a type of dementia.The symptoms will usually develop at a slow rate, worsening over time, causing severe interference with normal tasks.
Dementia & Alzheimer’s Basics
Accounting for up to 80% of dementia cases, Alzheimer’s disease is considered the most common form of dementia. It is a general term for memory loss, as well as causing serious issues with other cognitive functions that interfere with day to day life.
Though increased age is viewed as the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s, it is not a normal part of aging. A majority of individuals, with Alzheimer’s, are 65 or older, however, around 200,000 Americans under 65 suffer from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This is not a disease of old age alone.
Surviving with Alzheimer’s disease is varied in time, from 4-20 years in range depending on other health conditions and age. The average of years lived after Alzheimer’s symptoms are made apparent is only 8 years, making it the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. This is a progressive disease, worsening over time. The memory loss is mild in the early stages, with the later stages, the ability to respond to their environment and hold conversations diminishes. Dementia symptoms, over a number of years, gradually worsen.
Today, there is an effort across the world to help battle the disease. There is research underway to help treat, delay onset, and prevent development of Alzheimer’s. However, there is no cure. Currently, there are only treatments that help temporarily slow the worsening dementia symptoms, also to improve the quality of life for both the caregiver and the one who has Alzheimer’s. The current treatments cannot stop progression from happening, but the research shows no signs of ending until a cure is found.
Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Difficulty remembering newly gain information is the most common early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Most of us notice some sluggish thinking, as well as problems remembering things on occasion. This is normal because as our bodies, our brains change as we grow older. However, serious loss of memory, confusion and disorientation, as well as major changes in the workings of our minds could be a flag that brain cells are beginning to fail.
Alzheimer’s advances through your brain, leading to some severe symptoms, but the earliest symptom that makes and appearance is trouble remembering information newly learned. The reason this happens is because Alzheimer’s begins in the part of your brain the manages learning. Later symptoms include, behavioral and mood changes, deep confusion about past events, locations and time confusion, suspicions of those in your life, disorientation, difficulty speaking and with motor functions, as well as more severe memory loss.
Though experiencing these symptoms yourself may prove difficult, possible signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s may be more recognized by loved ones. If you feel that you are suffering these dementia-like symptoms, it is advised that you see a doctor as soon as you are able. Finding the right doctor can be challenging, so to find one with the experience in evaluating these memory problems you can contact your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. Diagnosing and intervening with these symptoms early on with the available methods proves dramatic improvement that can support and better the quality of your life.
The Brain & Alzheimer’s
There can be many different reasons to why memory loss can be caused, it isn’t always Alzheimer’s. Many people suffer from memory loss, and if a loved one or yourself is experiencing this or any symptom of dementia, it is recommended that you visit a doctor.
The brain undergoes microscopic changes long before memory loss is apparent, the brain has 100 billion different neurons (nerve cells). Each of these neurons are connected with others to form a network. Nerve cell groups have specific jobs such as, thinking, remembering, learning, sight, smell, and sound.
Working like a factory, brain cells receive their supplies, construct equipment, remove waste, and produce energy. They also create and house information as well as communicate with other cells. This mental factory requires large amounts of fuel and oxygen in order to keep it running properly.
Alzheimer’s creates the same road blocks that cause factories to shut down, backups and breakdowns. When one system starts to become slow or unresponsive, the other systems begin to experience the backups as well. Over time, the backups will begin to spread, and cells can no longer do their jobs. This causes irreversible issues in the brain.
The Role Of Tangles & Plaques
There are two major suspects in the killing and damages of the nerve cells, Plaques and Tangles, these are abnormal structures.
Plaques- Is a protein deposit of Beta-Amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd), which builds up in the gaps between nerve cells.
Tangles- Twisted fibers that build up on the inside of the cells composed of another protein known as Tau (rhymes with ‘wow’).
Alzheimer’s patients develop these tangles and plaques in greater numbers, with more distinctive patterns, while the development of these structures is common in most people as they age. Alzheimer’s patients find these abnormal structures most commonly in the areas important for memory before they spread to other regions of the brain.
Though the true effect that these cells have in the process of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, most of the experts strongly suggest that this effect is critical in preventing the communication among the nerve cells, stopping the processes needed for these cells to live.
Along with many symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, memory failure, problems following through with daily life, and changes in personality are a direct result of the death and destruction of nerve cells.
Progress & Research
Leading at the forefront of bio-medical research, Alzheimer’s disease is a prime focus for many researchers and experts as well as related dementia. A better understanding is a hope for new treatments in the future, as many approaches are currently being investigated across the world. 90% of our knowledge about Alzheimer’s was learned in the last 20 years, shedding light on the effects in the brain in remarkable progress. In addition to research assisted care facilitates are incorporating memory care services to better care for patients with Alzheimer’s.
Find Memory Care Services Near You In Arizona
Senior Living Services offers Memory Care Services in Gilbert, Mesa, Peoria, Sedona, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise, Arizona.