Alzheimer's Disease - Not Exclusive To The Elderly

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Alzheimer's Disease - Not Exclusive To The Elderly
By Larry Champlin

Alzheimer's disease, also known as primary degenerative dementia, isn't found exclusive in the elderly. The onset of this disease begins at middle age in 1% to 10% of people effected by it. Also, Alzheimer's disease accounts for more than half of all dementia.

Cause

While the cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, it is believed, several factors are involved in this disease. These include neurochemical factors, environmental factors, as well as, genetic factors. A family history of Alzheimer's disease and the presence of Down syndrome are two established risk factors.

The brain tissue of victims affected by Alzheimer's disease has three hallmark features:

1. Neurofibrillary Tangles: Abnormal neurological fibers that appear to be tangles of brain tissue filaments.

2. Neuritic Plaques: Abnormal collections of nerve processes surrounding a central core of various types of protein aggregations (amyloid).

3. Granulovascular Degeneration: A condition in which the ganglion cells become filled with single sack like membranes containing condensed granules of protoplasm.

The Effects

Initially, a person may experience slight undetectable changes, such as:

- forgetfulness
- recent memory loss
- difficulty learning
- remembering new information
- deterioration in personal hygiene and appearance
- inability to concentrate.

Gradually, tasks requiring intense thought and activities requiring judgment become more difficult. Progressive difficulty communicating and severe deterioration in memory, language, and motor function result in a loss of coordination and an inability to write or speak. Personality changes, restlessness, irritability, and nighttime roaming are common. The person may also exhibit:

- loss of eye contact
- a fearful look
- wringing of the hands
- other signs of anxiety.

When a person with Alzheimer's disease is overwhelmed with anxiety, he or she may become dysfunctional, acutely confused, agitated, compulsive, or fearful. Eventually, the person will become disoriented, and emotionally unstable, as well as, disabled progression physically and intellectually.

Early Detection

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is difficult because symptoms are subtle. Diagnosis is accomplished through the process of elimination. In other words, tests are done to rule out the possibility of all other disorders. Physicians then rely on an accurate history from a reliable family member, mental status and neurologic examinations, psyshometric testing, and cognitive tests.

Caring For A Person With Alzheimer's

Family members providing care for loved ones with Alzheimer's take on an awesome responsibility. If you find yourself in the position of care giver, below are some tips that may help:

1. Overall care should focus on supporting the person's remaining abilities and compensating for abilities that have been lost. A number of medications can be prescribed by your physician to slow the progression and decrease the affects of Alzheimer's, as well as, treat common problems (i.e., depression, memory deficits, and psychosis) associated with this disease.

2. Antioxidant therapy is currently understudy for its delaying effect on the disease and its symptoms. Also, estrogen replacement therapy appears to slow progression of disease, or possibly prevent it.

3. Exercise is highly recommended to maintain mobility.

Remember, you don't have to do this on your own. There are support groups and agencies available to help you. Your physician or health care professional should be able to recommend a reputable home health agency to assist you if necessary.

You should also find out about social services and community resources for legal and financial advice/support.

Get involved in a family support group. Your local chapter of the National Alzheimer's Association is a good place to start. To find out more about them check out their website at http://www.alz.org

And finally, establish durable power of attorney and advance directive as early as possible.

About the author:
Larry Champlin is the Senior Editor at http://HealthClamour.com

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