Alzheimer's - Rosemary Helps Protect Against This Disease - By: Keith Scott MD
For several years we have been aware that the plant compound, rosmarinic acid has anti-Alzheimer's properties. Now, a recently published research paper has described how carnosic acid (a compound that occurs in the common culinary herbs, rosemary and sage) also has the capacity to prevent and possibly treat this distressing disease.
In ground-breaking research, scientists from Iwate University in Japan and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in California have found that the antioxidant, carnosic acid protects the brain from free radical damage.
Oxidative damage, caused by excess free radicals is a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Writing in the November 8 edition of the Journal of Neurochemistry the scientists involved in this research describe the novel way in which carnosic acid works to protect the brain from free radical damage.
Unlike many other plant compounds, antioxidants and drugs, carnosic acid is able to cross the blood-brain barrier - a physiological barricade that protects the brain from harmful agents such as microorganisms and toxins.
Moreover, carnosic acid does not have any undesirable effects on normal brain cells and is only activated in the presence of free radical damage. In other words, this extraordinary compound lies dormant until sparked into action by the same disease process that it then neutralizes!
This remarkable feature of carnosic acid stands in stark contrast to that of many other naturally occurring antioxidants that do not have this phenomenal property. The others all tend to neutralize free radicals as they come into contact with them.
The problem here is that the body actually uses some free radicals to kill cancer cells and invading microbes. A high concentration of one or more antioxidants may eliminate too many free radicals leaving none available for the cell's defensive processes to use to destroy tumor cells, bacteria, viruses and other organisms.
Carnosic acid, on the other hand waits innocuously until the damage caused by the excess free radicals triggers its protective response.
The property whereby a therapeutic agent works only in the presence of the pathological process that it is capable of acting against is called pathological-activated-therapy (PAT). It is one of the goals of modern science to develop drugs that exhibit PAT properties as they will produce far fewer toxic side effects than medicines that do not have this attribute. Carnosic acid is one of the first naturally occurring compounds to demonstrate this valuable characteristic.
Carnosic acid has two other properties that make it a vital neuroprotective agent:
1. It protects against the narrowing of the left and right middle cerebral arteries - two of the major arteries carrying blood to the brain. Narrowing of these arteries with age is a common and important factor contributing to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
2. Carnosic acid increases the body's production of the antioxidant, glutathione. Glutathione is one of the most important antioxidants that help to protect the brain against free radical damage.
This landmark research has unearthed yet more pieces of a fascinating jigsaw puzzle. The picture that is emerging is one composed of many common culinary herbs and spices that can help to prevent and treat these ubiquitous neurodegenerative diseases.
While scientists continue to look for ways to produce more powerful drugs based on phytochemicals like carnosic acid, we should avail ourselves of herbs and spices like rosemary, sage and others that contain carnosic acid, rosemarinic acid and many other compounds whose neuro-protective properties have yet to be discovered by the scientific world.
Furthermore, as many of the compounds in culinary herbs and spices work synergistically with one another, we need to eat a wide variety of these vitally important foods on a daily basis.
For those who do not eat a diet rich in herbs and spices it is imperative that they use a balanced spice supplement in order to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's and other degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes that are all associated with free radical damage, inflammation and the aging process.
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Alzheimer's Disease And The Drugs Used To Treat It - By: Carol Bell
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disorder of the mind that gets progressively worse with time; it has become famous in recent years although it is not a new form of dementia. Alzheimer's is estimated to affect one in ten people over the age of sixty-five causing problems with the memory centres of the mind; the ability to diagnose the problem however, has increased with an accuracy figure of approximately ninety percent.
Alois Alzheimer a German physician first discovered the disease back in 1906 but it has only really been in the world's focus for just over thirty years; even though it has been scientifically studied for many years, knowledge surrounding this disease is minimal.
According to studies, it is advancing age that is the greatest risk to developing Alzheimer's disease. Often, a person experiencing their first signs of Alzheimer's is unable or unwilling to admit it to themselves or anyone else; this often cause delays in the diagnosis.
As far as treatment is concerned, Alzheimer's disease is treated in the same manner as other types of dementia. Some drugs can now slow down and sometimes improve the symptoms but so far no treatment has been discovered that can cure the disorder. The mental abilities of an Alzheimer's disease sufferer can be improved with the use of prescribed medication like Donepezil, Tacrine, and Rivastigmine; they can improve the mental faculties of patients with this condition by up to twenty-six weeks.
Memantine is a new drug that slows deterioration during the later stages and is a derivative of the decades old anti-influenza drug Amantadine; this new drug is used on patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's already receiving Donepezil. Memantine side effects are minimal but it is the first treatment to show a distinct effect on patients with a serious condition; because four fifths of it is passed out in urine unchanged by the kidneys, patients do not risk having their bodies retaining it in large quantities.
Because people are living longer Alzheimer's disease has become a serious health problem that governments must face; in the United States it is fourth in the list of fatal diseases. That is not the only problem because medical costs continue to increase and is something that needs some long term consideration; the annual cost of treatment and care for sufferers is in excess of 40 billion dollars and is expected to rise well beyond this in the future.
Another large body, the National Institute on Aging spent almost half of its yearly research fund into the condition; scientists worldwide are seeking a treatment for the disease with a large number of compounds being tested.
To help you reduce the chance of contracting dementia, it's important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, choose carefully what you eat and drink and take more exercise. Studies have also indicated that a number of Alzheimer's patients have reduced their rate of decline by staying healthy and happy. At the moment, the disease is still primarily affecting the aged; there have however, been recent occasions (although rare) where a younger person has developed this condition.
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Alzheimers Affects Many But Few Treatments Are Offered - By: Carol Bell
Dementia is now a major problem amongst the older generation with Alzheimer's disease being the most common progressive degenerative disorder. Estimated at affecting one in ten people over the age of sixty-five Alzheimer's affects the memory centres of the mind.
When the topic of dementia is brought up, the discussion will invariably turn towards Alzheimer's disease; other forms of dementia are often forgotten. A diagnosis of the disorder has managed to reach an accuracy of up to ninety four percent.
This is a complex disease and is still not fully understood, although the world has only focused its attention on this disease for over 30 years. Studies into the disorder have shown you have a grater chance of acquiring Alzheimer's the older you become. Often, a person experiencing their first signs of Alzheimer's is unable or unwilling to admit it to themselves or anyone else.
Alzheimer's disease is currently treated exactly the same as other forms of dementia. Some drugs can now slow down and sometimes improve the symptoms but so far no treatment has been discovered that can cure the disorder. At the moment, three drugs are used routinely to treat sufferers all of which have been approved by the FDA, Donepezil, Tacrine, and Rivastigmine.
Memantine is a new drug that slows deterioration during the later stages and is a derivative of the decades old anti-influenza drug Amantadine. Fortunately, Memantine has few side effects as 80 percent of the drug is passed in urine unchanged and so far it is the only drug that has proved to be of real benefit to patients with moderate to severe symptoms.
Alzheimer's disease is considered to be a major public health challenge since the average age of the industrialized world's population is increasing. This disease is now the fourth largest cause of death in America.
The cost of providing care and treating patients is already costing forty billion dollars every year with this figure expected to increase. According to the National Institute on Aging, nearly half of its annual budget was spent on research into this awful disease last year alone.
One way to help lower the risk of dementia and one that you can have responsibility for is to change how you live by eating healthily and taking regular exercise. In fact researchers believe the happier and healthier someone is with Alzheimer's, the slower his or her decline. Luckily, early onset of the disease is very rare although it is starting to claim younger victims.
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Alzheimer's May Be Preventable With Diet and Supplements? - By: Scott Doughman
What are we going to do with grandpa? Grandpa doesn't have Alzheimer's yet, but last year he didn't remember much of anything except to tell the same old stories. It's obvious his short term memory is fading fast and he often struggles with remembering the grandkid's names. His memory medication doesn't seem to provide much relief and it's very expensive.
Having a friend or family member suffering from cognitive decline is reason enough for us all to be concerned ourselves. Believe it or not, 40% of people in the U.S., and elsewhere, will face some form of cognitive decline in their lifetimes. At current rates, within the next decade, the number of persons with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementias may double.
Now there is increasing evidence that dietary factors play a major role in onset rates. New research suggests the disease is increasingly preventable. Non-genetic factors include upwards of 90 percent of Alzheimer's cases. Genetic factors are linked to a receptor in the brain involved in fat metabolism.
Recent studies from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet show mice given a high fat, high sugar and high cholesterol diet for nine months developed preliminary signs of Alzheimer's Disease using markers also seen in patients. The study results have yet to be reproduced, but are supported by numerous correlative studies in the scientific literature that suggest diet and lifestyle are increasingly considered central factors in the onset and prevention of the disease.
Top researchers are now reporting that Alzheimer's, the most debilitating form of dementia, may also be linked to chronic omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) nutritional deficiencies. In what is known as the Framingham Study, trial subjects with low plasma DHA levels were at greater risk of onset plus DHA levels were lower in the brain and plasma of patients with dementia.
Doctors always will say diet and lifestyle are the first consideration. In addition, research suggesting DHA is the only omega-3 that protects cognitive function during aging, a topic reiterated by a recent Johns Hopkins Health Alert (johnshopkinshealthalerts.com), which states that appropriate levels of dietary DHA alone could help prevent up to 70% of new Alzheimer's cases. The FDA recognizes DHA levels are an essential part of the healthy structure and function of nerve cells in the brain.
Is prevention linked to something as simple as replacing the bad fats with the good fats? In the past 40 years, there is a correlation between increases in weight gain and Alzheimer's onset rates. Perhaps the growing rate of all dementias is partly linked to diet and DHA deficiency together. Therefore, one's diet and DHA intake is at the heart of the question: What are we going to do with grandpa?
What else can you do for yourself? Exercise both your body and your brain. Ironically, studies have found that people who regularly work crossword puzzles and brain teasers like Sudoku, significantly extend the time their brains stay sharp and improve their memory.
Be Social. Staying involved in your community, helping others, and generally staying involved in the world around you is shown to be another key way to keep your brain sharp and alert.
Strive to Learn. You should never stop learning and challenging yourself mentally. Every class you take, no matter how old you are, and every new activity or idea you undertake, exercises your brain and increases the chance it will keep working well for many years to come.
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Information About Alzheimers Disease - What Is It? - By: Herbal Remedies
Alzheimers disease is a form of dementia which affects middle-aged and older people. It is a progressive disease that slowly kills the victims nerve cells in the brain. Alzheimers is a rather complex disease that seems to be caused by several influences.
It is the most common type of dementia, accounting for roughly seventy percent of diagnosed cases, and it knows no boundries, being spread across different cultures and affecting both males and females in equal measure. Alzheimers disease can be extremely stressful for the victims family, who very often find themselves being in the front line when it comes to providing care and support. It ought to be remembered that the family member or members doing the caring will also need plenty of support.
Research shows that getting Alzheimer's is the biggest worry among US residents older than 55 years. Even cancer, which is perhaps the most feared affliction in the world, is not as feared as Alzheimer's by this demographic. Something about the idea of losing one's identity to dementia seems to terrify people even more than the thought of physical death. Among many of the elderly (and even among some younger individuals) the mere thought of this wasting illness of the mind is enough to send one into a state of complete panic. Unfortunately, the phobia of diseases that affect the brain can cloud people's minds, too. It, too, can interfere with normal living. Isn't there a way to keep one's fears under control, and enjoy one's sanity while one still can?
The steady onslaught of this dreaded disease affects both physical and emotional responses. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations.Alzheimer’s disease advances at widely different rates depending on the individual. The duration of the illness may vary from 3 to 20 years.The areas of the brain that control memory and thinking skills are affected first. Cells die that affect other regions of the brain.
Most Alzheimer's patients are diagnosed with the disease after a series of cognitive tests, behavioral assessments and a brain scan. Early symptoms of the disease include memory loss, confusion, irritability, aggression, mood swings, language problems, long-term memory loss and the depletion of the senses. The majority of patient live for roughly seven years after being diagnosed and only a handful live for 14 years following diagnosis.
Early signs of Alzheimer's disease can include subtle memory lapses and episodes of confusion over mundane activities, such as the rote motions associated with driving a car or cooking a familiar meal. Loss of simple words in conversation or forgetting names of familiar people, if occurring with increasing frequency, can be a symptom of impending dementia.
Alzheimer's diseases advances with varying speed in individual patients. Some studies indicate that a balanced, low-fat diet and regular exercise can delay the onset of the disease and slow its progression. The intelligence of the patient can also affect the speed of deterioration, with highly intelligent individuals appearing to be affected by the progressing dementia much more slowly than others, perhaps because such individuals unconsciously employ adaptive strategies to circumvent the obvious effects of the dementia, such as finding alternate words for more familiar ones that can't be recalled easily.
A qualified psychologist can administer a battery of psychological tests to a patient to determine with a fairly high degree of certainty whether the patient is in the early stages of dementia. These tests include simple things like asking the patient to draw the hands of a clock in the correct position for a given time of day, or asking the patient her age or what the season of the year is, or who is currently the president of the United States.
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Alzheimer's Disease - Symptoms & Coping Needs - By: C Nolt
Alzheimer's disease is a symbol of dementia or the gradual loss of a sound mind. It is progressive in nature, while gradually robbing the victim of the ability to think and to properly function, sometimes lessening their lifespan. Alzheimer's disease is not a standard part of the aging process. You do not normally expect this to happen in the latter part of life. Alzheimer's disease is not the rule, but rather the exception in old age.
Some of the suspected causes quite often involve the following: the persons age and the history of the family, certain DNA genes,higher than normal deposits of protein in the brain, problems with the immune system and other environmental factors.
It is necessary to watch for warning signals and indications of alzheimer's disease. You can distinguish Alzheimer's from other dementia distinctive changes that take place in the brain, but are only visible with a microscopic exam. during an autopsy. Alzheimer's is a neuro-degenerative and progressive disease that takes place as nerve cells die in the brain, resulting in the memory and thinking becoming impaired, as well as confusion and restlessness, behavior and personality changes, flawed judgment and communication skills and unable to follow instructions, deteriorating in speech, flawed thought process involving visual and space awareness and emotional insensitivity. With alzheimer's disease, motor performance is often protected.
Forgetting pieces of knowledge or information gets more routine and there is less of a chance of remembering. The person may sometimes not recognize friends and family members, which is perhaps the most painful aspect of alzheimer's disease. It is needful to gather as much information as you are capable of gathering, as your doctor is going to ask many questions regarding medical conditions which are both past and present. He will want family history of other members who possibly may have had the disease in some form or other. There are some families who may have several members that have been afflicted, but because of being open to the identical surroundings, it may not be possible to know how much of the fault lies in heredity. There may be times when there is no one available that is capable of answering such questions. Therefore, having collected this information could prove very valuable for all concerned, in helping your doctor with an early diagnosis of alzheimer's disease before the condition is too aggressive.
Alzheimer's disease is very disruptive and stressful for the entire family. Alzheimer's, as well as other dementia problems with the memory, judgments and also with the thought process, make it difficult for the patient to work or to take any part in the daily social and family life. Those who have alzheimer's disease, as well as the family and other care-takers, need as much love and support as possible, from family as well as friends, in order to cope with the situation.
The Mayo Clinic has experts who offer lots of information and advice concerning the treatment and needed care for patients who are afflicted with alzheimer's disease. They will be able to answer many of your questions and explain the process of this disease.
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Bright Light Therapy aids sleeping disorders in Alzheimer’s Disease - By: Kunbi Balogun
Most cases of Alzheimer's develop in those aged 65 or over. Below the age of 65, Alzheimer’s is rare, affecting about 1 person in 1000. Over the age of 65 it affects about 1 in 20. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s continues to increase with age, so those aged 80 have a higher risk of developing it than those aged 65. By the age of 85 nearly 1 in 2 will have the disease. Women have a slightly greater chance of developing Alzheimer’s than men. It is thought that about 500,000 people in the UK are believed to have the disease. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease and very few effective treatments are available.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can vary greatly, but those with the disease often have one or more of the following:
1. Problem with memory
2. Problems with speech and language
3. Confusion
4. Changes in mood and behaviour
5. Problem learning new information, ideas or skills
6. Difficulty performing simple everyday tasks
People afflicted with Alzheimer's often suffer disturbances in circadian (daily) rhythm, which affects body functions such as sleep cycles, temperature, alertness and hormone production. As a result, impaired sleep and nocturnal restlessness place great burdens on the sufferer and the care giver. Sedatives are usually prescribed; however these have limited usefulness and are typically accompanied by side effects.
It is thought that daily exposure of Alzheimer’s patients to bright light may resolve circadian rhythm sleep disorders. According to the Sleep Review, clinical research has shown that exposure to very bright light in the day and darkness at night can consolidate rest and activity patterns in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In a 12-week trial involving 27 women and 5 men aged 60-95 years, 15 subjects received 1 hour of exposure to bright natural light each morning and 17 control subjects were exposed only to normal low-light conditions. Results obtained from this trial indicated a trend toward increased sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed spent asleep), decreased nighttime wakefulness, and decreased nighttime activity in the intervention group, compared with the controls.
Although further research needs to be done in this area, existing research have produced very promising results, which is a real light at the end of the tunnel for Alzheimer’s Disease sufferers, caregivers and family members caring for such patients.
Disclaimer
This article is only for informative purposes. It is not intended to be a medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for all your medical concerns. Kindly follow any information given in this article only after consulting your doctor or qualified medical professional. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from any information obtained from this article.
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The Things You Need To Know about The Villa Home - By: Vikram kuamr
During your retirement years, you need special and skilled nursing care. This goes especially when you are living alone and your children have a family of their own. Since no one will be able to attend to your needs, you should move to a nursing home which can provide you with the best care and supervision. There are several nursing homes within the country. However, only a few of these actually offer excellent services to their residents. If you want to retire at a senior facility, which takes you under their wing with compassion and full understanding, choose The Villa Home. This home for retirees is located at Downey Avenue, California.
If you want a retirement home which has a comfortable and fun atmosphere, Villa Home is the right place. At this senior community, you are provided with personalized assisted living care. This implies that your special needs will be attended to in order to provide you with ease while you are enjoying your retirement years. Before you actually move in to your own living space within this facility, the professionals of Villa Home will assess your specific needs. This way, they will know which home care assistance is appropriate for you. This is also done in order to fully comprehend the exact type of care that you require. If you need help with transferring and mobility, the people at the Villa will provide you with this service. On the other hand, you will also be offered with dressing, grooming, and personal hygiene assistance. If you find it hard to select your own clothes, your nurse will help you out. Aside from these services, The Villa also provides medication and continence management. You are assured that you are always safe within this retirement home because of the constant monitoring of the staff.
When you move in to Villa Home, you will not feel the least bit bored. This is due to the fact that this home provides its residents with social activities. If you want, you can also volunteer to help around with certain activities. However, this is limited to a specific degree. If you have guests over for the weekend, they can eat with you for a fee. Just so you won’t feel isolated from your family, they are encouraged to send packages or letters. When it comes to your personal stuff, you will be provided with your own secured unit for storage. But you should keep one thing in mind. The Villa will require you to leave your valuables behind. If you want to bring cash along with you, this should be in limited amount.
Your proper nutrition is one of the areas that the professionals of Villa Home look into. The meals that are provided for you are guaranteed that they meet your specific nutritional needs. You are given three meals each day, along with healthy beverages and snacks. The homecare services of this nursing home make sure that you are living healthily. What is more, you are provided with the most suitable elder care.
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Full Detailed Information on Alzheimer's Disease - By: Brain
Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known simply as Alzheimer's, is a neurodegenerative disease that, in its most common form, is found in people over age 65. Approximately 24 million people worldwide have dementia of which the majority (~60%) is due to Alzheimer's.
Clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease are characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration, together with declining activities of daily living and by neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. It is the most common type of dementia. Plaques which contain misfolded peptides called amyloid beta (Aâ) are formed in the brain many years before the clinical signs of Alzheimer's are observed. More than 4 million Americans today are affected with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to escalate to approximately 12 million within the next 30 years. This serious disease is plaguing America in such a way that just about every individual has had an experience with someone with Alzheimer’s in one way or another. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that affects the mind, and more specifically your memory. 1 in 8 individuals over the age of 65 will develop it.
Risk Factors:
We currently don’t know what exactly causes Alzheimer’s, and it remains a disease that is diagnosed by eliminating other possibilities. However, experts have found a number of factors that reoccur in Alzheimer’s patients. It is believed that a combination of the following factors can cause a person to be predisposed to develop Alzheimer’s.
1. Family history of the disease – especially a parent or sibling.
2. Heart-disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diabetes.
3. Previous head injury
4. Environmental toxins
5. Advancing age
6. Stress- high levels of anxiety
What Are the Symptoms of AD?
AD begins slowly. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness, which can be confused with age-related memory change. Most people with mild forgetfulness do not have AD. In the early stage of AD, people may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things. They may not be able to solve simple math problems. Such difficulties may be a bother, but usually they are not serious enough to cause alarm.
However, as the disease goes on, symptoms are more easily noticed and become serious enough to cause people with AD or their family members to seek medical help. Forgetfulness begins to interfere with daily activities.
Main Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease:
Experts have identified a number of stages to help define and group people suffering from this devastating and difficult disease. With no cure the best thing you can do is be aware of what this disease may bring in the future and use this knowledge to help plan care for your loved one.
The following are the Three Main Stages:
1. Early-State – In the early stage, the individual will suffer memory loss and possibly some other cognitive difficulties, however, they can continue to function independently.
2. Mid-Stage – In the mid-stage, the disease has progressed past basic memory troubles and the individual’s mental abilities have continued to decline. They start to suffer personality changes and physical problems, and in turn become more dependent on caregivers.
3. Late-Stage – The late-stage is the most severe. Individuals will suffer complete deterioration of the personality and loss of control over bodily functions. They will become totally dependent on caregivers for even basic daily needs.
There is no set time as to when a person will progress from one stage to the other. One individual may move quickly from the early-stage to the mid-stage, while another may stay in the early-stage for several years. Every person is different. Here is a basic break down of the types of symptoms and their severity for each stage:
How is the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease made?
As of June 2007, there is no specific "blood test" or imaging test that is used for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed when: 1) a person has sufficient cognitive decline to meet criteria for dementia; 2) the clinical course is consistent with that of Alzheimer's disease; 3) no other brain diseases or other processes are better explanations for the dementia.
Treatment
Currently, there's no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs to improve symptoms that often accompany Alzheimer's, including sleeplessness, wandering, anxiety, agitation and depression. But only two varieties of medications have been proved to slow the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's.
What can I do to help myself?
The first thing is not to worry unnecessarily. A problem with forgetfulness doesn't mean that you have dementia.
If you find yourself forgetting certain things, you could try to give yourself memory prompts. If (for instance) you find that you forget to buy food, leave notes in your kitchen cupboards near the back, reminding you to go to the shops. So when you come across the notes, keep them on you until you have bought more food.
This may seem cumbersome, but it's only an extension of the 'to do' lists that people make in everyday life.
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Alzheimer's Disease Explained - Causes And Alzheimers Disease Treatment - By: Brain
Alzheimer’s disease was originally named after Dr. Aloysius “Alois” Alzheimer, who was a German doctor that specialized in psychiatry and neuropathology. Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known simply as Alzheimer's, is a neurodegenerative disease that, in its most common form, is found in people over age 65. Approximately 24 million people worldwide have dementia of which the majority (~60%) is due to Alzheimer's
The main risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is increased age. The rates of the disease increase markedly with advancing age, with 25 percent of people over 85 suffering from Alzheimer's or other severe dementia. Many scientists believe that AD results from an increase in the production or accumulation of a specific protein (beta-amyloid protein) that leads to nerve cell death. Loss of nerve cells in strategic brain areas, in turn, causes deficits in the neurotransmitters, which are the brain's chemical messengers.
Two types
The two types of Alzheimer’s disease are:
* Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease - this type accounts for more than 90 per cent of cases. Adult men and women of all ages can be affected, although most cases occur in people over the age of 65 years. It can take up to 20 years for the disease to develop.
* Familial Alzheimer’s disease - this rare type is caused by a genetic mutation. The age of onset is earlier than for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease, with symptoms appearing when the person is aged in their 40s or 50s.
What causes it?
The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease isn't known, although some risk factors are known. The risk of developing the disease increases with age, for example.
There's a higher risk of Alzheimer's if a family member has the disease. However, inherited genetic factors are responsible in only a small number of families.
When the disease is inherited, it tends to lead to early onset of Alzheimer's, usually between the ages of 35 and 60. One of several different genes may be at fault, such as the presenilin-1 gene on chromosome 14 or the amyloid precursor protein gene on chromosome
What Are the Symptoms of AD?
AD begins slowly. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness, which can be confused with age-related memory change. Most people with mild forgetfulness do not have AD. In the early stage of AD, people may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things. They may not be able to solve simple math problems. Such difficulties may be a bother, but usually they are not serious enough to cause alarm.
However, as the disease goes on, symptoms are more easily noticed and become serious enough to cause people with AD or their family members to seek medical help. The disease's course varies from person to person. Eight years is the average length of time from diagnosis of Alzheimer's to death. Survival begins to decline three years after diagnosis, but some people live more than a decade with the disease.
Prevention
Although there is no proven way to prevent AD, there are some practices that may be worth incorporating into your daily routine, particularly if you have a family history of dementia. Talk to your doctor about any of these approaches, especially those that involve taking a medication or supplement.
* Consume a low-fat diet.
* Eat cold-water fish (like tuna, salmon, and mackerel) rich in omega-3 fatty acids, at least 2 to 3 times per week.
* Reduce your intake of linoleic acid found in margarine, butter, and dairy products.
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Alzheimer's Disease Information: When Someone You Love Has Been Diagnosed - By: Paul Conway
Has someone you love recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease? If so, you probably have many questions about the disease and are concerned about getting the best Alzheimer's disease information available.
In the early course of Alzheimer's your affected family member or loved one may have only mild impairment of their thought processes which may manifest as problems with short term memory and lapses in judgement. You may notice subtle changes in their general personality and mood on a daily basis with occasional periods of agitation or withdrawal. At first these symptoms may be mild but over time they will likely become more pronounced as the disease progresses. Up-to-date Alzheimer's disease information is critical early in the course of the illness in order to make the right decisions regarding long term care of your loved one.
Alzheimer's disease may progress at a variable rate depending on the individual. An affected person may have only mild symptoms and maintain a fairly normal lifestyle for many years. Others will progress rapidly, requiring constant monitoring and around the clock care early on. It's important that your affected loved one undergo a thorough physical exam, mental status exam, and functional status evaluation to determine their level of functioning. At this point, your doctor will be able to give you more in depth Alzheimer's disease information relating to long term prognosis.
Once the diagnosis is made, your doctor may start your loved one on one of a several medications that have been shown to slow down progression of the disease by acting on certain brain biochemicals. While these medications may delay progression of Alzheimer's symptoms, they're not a cure. Thus, it will be important to plan for the long term welfare of the patient.To do this, your doctor may recommend additional specialists such as a psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor along with consultation with a neurologist to help you get the best care for your family member. They can make recommendations as to what level of care the patient will need.
Other resources for Alzheimer's information relating to care of your loved one include Alzheimer's support groups where you can interact with other family members dealing with Alzheimer's disease, your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, as well as the Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center. These groups can provide you with the support you need to get through the challenges of caring for an Alzheimer's patient.
By having the best Alzheimer's disease information resources available to you, you'll be able to make the appropriate decisions necessary to provide for the long term well care of your loved one.
http://www.firstmedicalonline.com
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Good Nutrition Can Lower the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease - By: Aaron Stanlich
"I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease," Ronald Reagan, former president of the United States, announced in November 1994. "I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this Earth doing the things I have always done," he declared. "Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this painful experience."
In his message, Reagan summed up the tragedy of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Those suffering from AD face the reality of losing touch with their old lives. Family and friends are forced to watch a loved one slowly fall victim to the dreadful condition.
Scientists aren’t sure exactly what’s behind AD. Some suspect a certain gene - apolipoprotein E 4 allele (Apo E4) - plays a major part in your brain’s decline. Other experts believe years of oxidative stress also are at the root of the problem.
Whatever causes Alzheimer’s disease attacks the part of your brain that controls speech, thoughts, and memory. You gradually lose the power to recall the past and the ability to carry out your daily life. AD usually hits around age 65 and older, and your risk goes up each year after that.
Through this dark cloud, however, there is a ray of hope. According to AD experts like Dr. Grace Petot, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, people can change their lifestyles to lower their risk. Boost your fruit and vegetable intake for a start.
From her research, Petot discovered that many AD sufferers ate fewer fruits and veggies as adults.
Science, she suggests, also points to a connection between heart disease and Alzheimer’s. So eating a heart-healthy diet might protect you, too. That means a lot of high-fiber, low-fat foods. It’s also a good idea to exercise both your mind and your muscles. "Keeping the brain active and the body active," Petot says, "is beneficial in many ways."
Nutritional blockbusters that fight AD
Antioxidants.
Thanks to cutting-edge research, experts now hope AD can one day be prevented. Antioxidants, those powerful substances that fend off cancer and heart disease, might also safeguard your brain against free radicals. Antioxidants appear to slow - and even reverse - the memory loss caused by free-radical damage.
Supplements usually only contain one antioxidant, so eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to get the most benefit. Fruits and vegetables are rich in many antioxidants - not just beta carotene or vitamin C, but flavonoids, too. Flavonoids make memory-saving marvels out of snacks like blueberries, strawberries, and spinach.
B vitamins.
You also need foods rich in B vitamins to help protect your brain from AD. At least two studies show Alzheimer’s sufferers have lower levels of folate and B12 than their non-AD peers. Low B-vitamin levels, according to several other studies, appear to lead to lower scores on IQ and memory tests.
Vitamin B 12 helps your body make neurotransmitters, chemicals that help carry messages between your nerves and brain. Another B vitamin, thiamin, helps nerve signals travel from your brain to different parts of your body. These important tasks could be why a lack of B vitamins might affect your brain’s health.
To get more folate into your diet, try dark leafy greens, broccoli, beets, beans, and okra. Meats, eggs, and dairy products are good sources of B12. For older adults, who might have trouble absorbing B12, experts suggest eating fortified breakfast cereals. Wheat germ, nuts, beans, and rice will give you your full day’s supply of thiamin.
Omega-3s.
Look to the sea to find help against Alzheimer’s. Fish are the greatest source of omega-3 fatty acids. These fat molecules protect against heart disease and inflammation and may lead the attack against Alzheimer’s as well. One of AD’S possible causes is beta-amyloid plaque, clumps of protein that build up in the victim’s brain. Experts believe beta amyloid might be connected with inflammation of the brain’s blood vessels. So it makes sense that anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids could help.
It’s a good idea to eat as much fish as you can net. Experts recommend at least two servings of salmon, tuna, mackerel, or other cold-water fish per week. For you landlubbers who think fish are for the birds, get your omega-3 from flaxseed, walnuts, and dark leafy greens. And while you punch up omega-3, limit your intake of omega-6 fatty acids. They compete with omega-3 and can cause inflammation. Foods high in omega-6 include fried and fast foods, salad dressings, and baked goods.
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Early Symptoms Of Alzheimers Include Short Term Memory Loss - By: Allan Wilson
Alzheimer’s disease, we’ve all hear of it but do we really understand the disease? According to statistics, there are about 350,000 new cases of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed each year in the United States.
Doing the math, you could have more than 4.5 million Americans by the year 2050 that would be affected by the disease. A grimmer outlook indicates that by 2025, there will be 34 million people worldwide Alzheimer’s disease.
Let’s tackle the issue step by step. Alzheimer’s disease is a known brain disorder that is progressive and irreversible. It is still not known where and how the disorder develops in the human brain neither is there any sure-fire cure for the disease. What is known by medical scientists is that the disease attacks slowly.
It takes its time, gnawing slowly at the victims’ minds stealing memories and causing deterioration of brain functions. Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes irreversible dementia and is always fatal.
It was German psychiatrist Dr. Alois Alzheimer who first identified the disease. At first he noted the disease’s symptoms as "amnesic writing disorder," however when later studies were conducted Dr. Alzheimer found out that the symptoms were more than ordinary memory loss. It was far worse.
Dr. Alzheimer found the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain. The good doctor presented his findings, which were accepted by the medical community. And soon enough, by 1910 the name of the disease was accepted and became known as Alzheimer’s disease.
The most common early symptoms of the disease are confusion, being inattentive and have problems with orientation, personality changes, experiencing short-term memory loss, language difficulties and mood swings. Probably the most obvious and striking early symptom of Alzheimer’s is loss of short-term memory.
At first the victim will exhibit minor forgetfulness, but as the disease slowly progress he/she will start to forget a lot of things. However, older memories are often left untouched. Because of this, patients with Alzheimer’s will start to be less energetic and spontaneous. As the disease progress, they will have trouble learning new things and reacting on outside stimuli which gets them all confused and causes them to exercise poor judgment. This is considered Stage 1 of the disease.
At Stage 2 the patient will now need assistance in performing complicated tasks. Speech and understanding is evidently slower. At this stage, Alzheimer’s victims are already aware that they have the disease that causes a whole lot of problems like depression and restlessness.
At this point, only the distant past can be recalled and recent events are immediately forgotten. Patients will have difficulty telling time, date and where they are.
The final stage is of course the hardest, both for the patient and their family. At Stage 3 the patient will start to lose control of a lot of bodily functions like simple chewing and swallowing. He/she will start getting the needed nutrients through a tube. At Stage 3, the patient will no longer remember basically anyone.
They will lose bowel and bladder control and they will become vulnerable to third party infections and diseases like pneumonia. Once the patient become bedridden, things will only get worse. Respiratory problems will become more terrible.
It is apparent that the patient will need constant care. At this point, the most one can do is to make sure that the patient stays as comfortable as possible. At the terminal stage, death is inevitable.
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Activities To Keep People Living Alzheimer’s Disease Involved - By: Sam-Smith
Alzheimer’s disease is considered the 7th leading cause of death in the United States in 2004. The death toll continues to rise every year. The disease is the third most costly in the U.S. Heart disease and cancer are the first and second most costly respectively. It is recorded that there 24 million people with dementia worldwide, the figure will more than double by 2040.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that is irreversible with no known cause or cure. The disease affects two major types of abilities. Alzheimer’s affects the very simple everyday activities such as dressing, eating, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, and even walking. One needs to be assisted in order to accomplish such tasks.
The other ability affected by the disease are the performance of more complex tasks like managing finances, driving a car, preparing and cooking meals and working in a job. It is normal for people with the disease to experience problems with complex tasks first which later on move to the more simple everyday jobs as the disease progresses.
Treatment is vital for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Treating a patient requires the conglomeration of the expertise of a family doctor and various medical specialists like psychiatrists or neurologists, psychologists, therapists, nurses, social workers, and counselors. Because the disease affects not only the patient but the whole family as well.
It is very important that family members work closely with the doctors in administering the treatment. The family should be informed of activities that are dangerous for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Some of these activities include driving or cooking.
Treating dementia related symptoms of Alzheimer’s vary. But such treatments can only be effective if the dementia is caused by factors like medications, alcohol, delirium, tumors, depression, head injury and infections. There are, however, some treatments that are being used to "cure" the well being of a person afflicted with the disease.
Activities like playing music, personal interactions, playing videotapes of family members, walking and light exercise and pet therapy have been found to be successful in helping people develop friendship, mutual support and spiritual connectedness with the people around them.
However, one should remember that such activities can be beneficial to one but could be detrimental to another patient. The best activity for a person with Alzheimer’s varies. Former hobbies or points of interest of a person could also be used to help people with the disease and their families to cope.
One could assist the person to engage in activities like supervised gardening, singing, cooking, painting and drawing as long as routine is established. It is very important to engage in these activities on a regular basis for this could help the person establish a sense of stability.
Some therapies combine various activities and have proved to be fairly successful and garnered some favorable results. Such programs combine music, exercise, crafts and relaxation which obtained the best results.
Some even add various structured sessions like meditations, sensory awareness and guided imagery in their attempts to calm and pacify the already unstable behaviors of patients with Alzheimer’s.
Aside from daily physical exercise and social activities, some of the things that you also need to consider in treating a patient are proper nutrition and health maintenance; daily activities that will give the feelings of accomplishment for the individual; keeping the patient out of harm’s way; and knowing the physical and emotional limitations of the patient, the care giver team and the family.
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The Guide To Selecting and Finding Caregivers For People With Alzheimer’s - By: Sam-Smith
One of the most dreaded diseases in old age is Alzheimer disease. Although unlike cancer and heart problem, this is actually not fatal. In fact, people with Alzheimer can live for a long time with proper care. That is actually the problem most of the time.
With Alzheimer disease, the patient need to be taken cared of all the time. This is because the memory loss will often render the patient incapable of thinking and reasoning. Some will even forget how to do the simplest of tasks, like brushing their teeth and even eating with a spoon and fork.
Alzheimer is a progressive and degenerative disease that affects the brain. The problem often leads to massive memory loss not only in terms of one’s memories but also one’s learning. Patients will forget everything that they have learned even routine tasks that they have learned when they were just tots. Some people will also find it hard to learn new things and may even lose their language abilities. They will have difficulties in their speech and in their writing.
Because of this, caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease can be extremely difficult. It is actually like caring for a newborn babe but while a baby will slowly learn to function independently, patients with Alzheimer’s will lose what they have learned and will slowly become more and more dependent with their caregivers. Thus, it is important to find a caregiver that is both professionally-capable and caring as they will determine the progress that the patient will have as well as their over all condition and behavior.
Here are some tips in finding a good caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient.
Choose a professional
It is good to look for a person that is already well experienced in caring for people with Alzheimer’s. Not only will their experience come in handy when it comes to dealing with the patient’s medicines and medical routines, they will also be more patient because of prior knowledge.
One problem though in hiring these kinds of people is the money that you will shell out for their salaries. Private nurses and caregivers are expensive enough as it is without adding the burden of a specialization. If you just cannot afford to hire someone with enough experience, try one who has worked with old people and then give him or her materials that will make them familiar with the basics of the disease.
Choose someone you know
Nothing beats hiring someone that you already know or someone that you have already seen working. Patients with Alzheimer’s will have a lot of quirks and behavior that can be extremely irritating and difficult to deal with. Thus, it is important that you choose someone that you know will have a lot of patience and care.
Of course, if a member of the family can spare the time for the patient, that is good. If not, you can ask for recommendations from people that you know. Chances are they know someone who can take care of a patient with Alzheimer’s.
Choose someone strong
Although this is actually not a major issue, it is also important that you choose someone who can deal with the patient and the often back breaking tasks. Remember that because the patient is full- dependent on the person, they will sometimes need to carry them or guide them when walking.
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What to Know About Early Onset Alzheimer’s - By: Alex Rider
Ahhh...the somewhat elusive diagnosis; the waiting, the pricking, the waiting, the endless parade of intrusive questions about shortness of breath, appetite, and frequency of bowel movements can be more trying than, well, having to do it again and again. Did I mention the waiting? You feel exhausted just looking at "DR Appt" scribbled on your kitchen calendar.
Good natured friends and relatives tell you to keep a good attitude and all you want to do is stick your tongue out and pour your iced tea over their head. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel" does not bring much comfort when you are still searching for the tunnel. It is like being in a labyrinth without a flashlight or pocketknife (and no recollection of a MacGyver episode that could help). A proper diagnosis for early onset Alzheimer’s can sometimes be more difficult than playing mah-jongg blindfolded.
Knowing What To Look For With Early Onset Alzheimer’s
The task of detecting early symptoms for an illness like early onset Alzheimer’s is about as easy as riding a pony backwards while flipping pancakes in the air. It is not impossible, but you should prepare for losing a lot of pancakes while sliding off your pony. One of the most commons problems is deducing what are actual symptoms of dementia and what is simply part of the aging process. Forgetting a name or appointment every now and then is normal. Sometimes you slip, as Freud once pointed out.
Other key warnings to keep your senses peeled with regards to early onset Alzheimer’s are increasing moments of confusion, and drastic personality changes. And not a Jekyll and Hyde kind of change either. That might indicate a personality disorder. Or a secret lab in the basement. Is your loved one or friend more out of character on a frequent basis? You can also look for withdrawal and apathy, as well as losing their ability to do simple everyday tasks. If you are concerned, dive into some research and see what you can find, in libraries and online.
There is a small percentage of people worldwide who have a defective gene that seems to trigger early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers and physicians are still not sure what causes the illness to afflict those under the age of 55; most times symptoms begin to appear as early as forty years old. Advancements in medicine are made all the time, so there is always hope.
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Is Dementia Always Related To Your Age? - By: Andi Michaels
The first conclusion most people come to when they hear about dementia and Alzheimer’s is that it is basically something they won’t need to worry about until they are much older. However, dementia and Alzheimer’s are not just conditions of the elderly. There are cases of early onset Alzheimer’s that have developed in people between the ages of thirty to forty; however the majority of cases of early onset Alzheimer’s are diagnosed when the patient is in their fifties.
Any diagnoses of Alzheimer’s before the age of sixty-five is considered to be early onset. Early onset Alzheimer’s has been found to run in families. If a grandparent has it, persons in the family line will have a larger change of developing early onset of this disease and should be aware of the symptoms of this disease in its early stages. Early onset Alzheimer’s is often misdiagnosed as simple lack of motivation, forgetfulness or psychiatric issues.
Dementia is another illness often thought to only affect the elderly. There are types of dementia that are not related to old age at all. One common occurrence of dementia in younger persons is due to a closed head injury. Accidents when riding motorcycles and four-wheelers without a helmet then suffering an impact are among the leading cause of closed head injuries among younger people. Automobile accidents that result in closed head injuries are another factor in early onset dementia.
Current studies show the front part of the skull where the frontal lobe of the brain is located is one factor in the early onset of dementia. The frontal lobe controls perceptions and is also in charge of impulse control, short-term memory functions and sense of smell seem to be affected. One of the earliest symptoms of early dementia is often reported to be phantosmia, or the hallucination of smells, usually in the form of rotting meat or bad body odor. The patient will spend a good deal of time trying to locate the source of a smell; not knowing it is an early symptom of a much larger problem.
Alcohol can be a contributor to dementia. Most people assume heavy drinkers will pay for their lifestyle with liver problems. However, another aspect of severe alcoholism is alcohol induced dementia, also called "wet brain" which is an incurable type of dementia that often affects end stage alcoholics. In a nutshell, the internal spaces of the brain become wider and the fissures are created. The fissures fill with fluid and the result is mental confusion, impaired coordination and significant memory loss.
If someone you know is showing early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s urge them to get a complete physical and mention their symptoms to their physician. Early symptoms can include loss of memory, mixing up words on a frequent basis, sudden lack of attention span, disturbances in language such as searching for commonly used words to complete a sentence and suddenly feeling disoriented when in a familiar place such as forgetting where the bathroom is in the home of a friend they have visited on many occasions.
Dementia isn’t just a disease that affects the geriatric population. Anyone at any age can be affected by dementia. Knowing the early warning signs and early intervention methods which will be unique to each individual’s case, are an effective way to slow the progression of the disease so the affected person can lead a healthy and productive life for a much longer span of time.
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A Mult-faceted Approach To Tackling Alzheimer’s Disease - By: Tom Sample
Alzheimer’s needs to be managed on several levels - it is almost impossible to treat it with a one-dimensional focus. Towards this end, the treatment of the disease could broadly be divided into three main areas. The first and probably the most important is the diagnosis and treatment with drugs. These are essential for arresting the disease and not letting it spiral out of control. So, a drug regimen will have to be put into place depending on each patient’s needs. Of course, in the early stages of the disease, one might opt for a non-drug approach. The next area is to make things better for both the patient and the person or people looking after him. This is vital as it affects all concerned deeply, both physically and psychologically. The third area involves only the caregiver and is one where he or she should be given adequate support - again, both physically and psychologically.
Coming to the first area, with the tremendous strides medicine has taken, there are new-age drugs that manage and treat so many of the problems associated with the disease - from calming the patient to keeping the depression away to stopping the hallucinations and delusions. These pharmacological solutions help in slowing down the progress of the disease and in helping to alleviate the problems that arise out of the cognitive decline that the patient undergoes. Drug therapy is vital in all cases of Alzheimer’s in order to stop the rapid deterioration of the cognitive functions.
Today, besides this aspect, medical practitioners are looking at non-pharmacological areas as well to treat patients. These involve exercise, involvement in some kind of activity which interests them and in modifications to the environment to make them calmer and more at ease. They also involve the well-being of the caregiver. Both patient and caregiver should be in good health as other factors like illness or weakness could also contribute to irritability and frustration.
Thirdly, as important as care for the patient should be support for the caregiver. Most families find it impossible to cope with patients within the environs of a home. So for many who suffer from this disease, a nursing home is the only option. This move, in itself could be traumatic for an elderly person who moves away from the security of the familiar into a strange unfamiliar place that evokes the fear of the unknown. Caregivers need to be educated on how to handle this as well as what the symptoms of the disease as it progresses are and how they can deal with them. A clear picture of how things will be can very often take away the frustration and put in a more detached, clinical approach. This, surprisingly is the more understanding and practical way to handle this condition. The more a caregiver knows, the easier is the difficult road ahead.
The good news? There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. Research about the disease seems to be pointing the way to a cure - not just of halting the disease but of possibly affecting a cure. Can the ravages caused by Alzheimer’s be reversed? Time alone will tell.
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Alzheimer's: Why Aren't We Stopping It? - By: Barbara Morris, R.Ph.
by Barbara Morris, R.Ph.
In 2005 the Alzheimer's Association (AA) awarded 92 grants totaling $17.8 million, pushing the Association's funding for Alzheimer's Disease (AD) research since 1982 to over $185 million.
Of the 92 grants, just one went to the study of a nutritional supplement. The grant title: "Randomized Trial of a Nutritional Supplement to Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease." The award was for $240,000 over three years. The nutritional supplement was Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in red wine. There are more promising substances the Association could have funded – but it's commendable the Association chose to investigate something potentially useful.
From the grant description: "The researchers will recruit participants through clinics of the Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease will be randomly assigned to receive either a nutritional supplement or a placebo. . . " (This is at odds with the grant title, "Randomized Trial of a Nutritional Supplement to Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease." What will it be -- research to reduce risk of AD or treatment for those already afflicted?)
I can predict that the results will not be promising. For one thing, the grant description makes clear the study does not focus on prevention. If it did, the outcome might be encouraging. For another thing, studies testing the efficacy of nutritional supplements typically use less than adequate doses. (There is no indication of the potency of the supplement.) A low dose of any antioxidant doesn't have a chance of stopping AD once it has started.
While AD (mild or full blown) is not reversible, mild cognitive decline is another story. (Mild cognitive decline is characterized as "where did I leave my keys" type of memory lapse). Several physicians have told me they believe AD is preventable if intervention begins extremely early – at the onset of mild cognitive decline or before. And then, only if a program of aggressive and adequate amounts of antioxidants and other dietary supplements are given along with an optimum diet rich in antioxidants.
Prevailing thought says that accumulation of "plaques and tangles" in the brain may be a cause of AD. A scientist at a major university, who believes the "plaques and tangles" theory is flawed, spoke up at a meeting of his peers and was promptly hooted down for his unorthodox thinking. And what might that thinking be? He believes that finding a remedy for "oxidative stress" (free radical activity) – that results in the formation of "plaques and tangles"-- merits more aggressive research.
One must wonder: Why isn't more grant money awarded to the plethora of small nutritional studies conducted at universities all over the world that show incredible promise for prevention of AD?
This is not to disparage attempts to find a cure. Certainly, anything that could reverse this dread disease would be welcome. But surely, wouldn't it be preferable to find a way to prevent it? Shouldn't there be equal research emphasis on prevention as well as a cure?
Meet Dr. Bruce Ames: Is he on to something?
A Press Release, UC Berkeley, February 19, 2002 headline: "Dietary Supplements make old rats youthful, may help rejuvenate aging humans, according to UC Berkely study."
It went on to explain that "A team of researchers led by Bruce N. Ames, professor of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley, fed older rats two chemicals normally found in the body's cells and available as dietary supplements: acetyl-L-carnitine and an antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid."
"With the two supplements together, these old rats got up and did the Macarena," said Ames, also a researcher at Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI). "The brain looks better, they are full of energy - everything we looked at looks more like a young animal."
"Based on the group's earlier studies, the University of California patented use of the combination of the two supplements to rejuvenate cells. Ames, through the Bruce and Giovanna Ames Foundation . . . founded a company in 1999 called Juvenon to license the patent from the university. Juvenon currently is engaged in human clinical trials of the combination."
The work was supported by grants from the Ellison Foundation, the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, the Wheeler Fund of the Dean of Biology at UC Berkeley, the Bruce and Giovanna Ames Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Center at UC Berkeley.
What's missing in the above paragraph? There is no mention of drug company funding. Thankfully, the government funds some prevention oriented research, but it's piddling compared to the amount of money donated by drug companies for traditional research geared to finding a cure. And that makes sense. Drug companies are profit oriented. There is no profit in prevention with dietary supplements purchased without a prescription.
The good news is that you don't have to wait for AD to strike. Beef up your antioxidant intake and learn how to improve your diet for maximum prevention benefit. Starting as early in life as possible increases chances of staying mentally sharp in mature years.
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Activity for Alzheimer’s Patient: What You Can Do - By: Remy Jirek
Planning an activity for an Alzheimer’s patient (or patients) can be difficult. You have to keep in mind that because of their condition, it can be difficult for them to perform tasks that you would find simple. However, Alzheimer’s statistics have found that, by having patients participate in activities, you can actually slow the progress of the disease in the brain because you are encouraging positive thinking and happiness within the mind of the patient. Assuming you are a caregiver, this article on Alzheimer’s is intended to show you some things you can do to make life easier for the person you are caring for.
A Simple Activity is Always Best
Though the cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown, the effects are very apparent. Alzheimer’s is a mental disease, not a physical disease, meaning that patients are physically capable of performing activities. Additionally, Alzheimer’s patients retain a childlike intelligence, meaning that they are capable of performing tasks that children can perform.
Caregivers should try to find out what the patient likes to do and design activities around their interests. For example, if the patient you are caring for enjoyed cooking before the disease set in, you should let them cut cookies with you, or make simple dishes (such as made-from-a-box cakes or salads). If your patient enjoyed gardening, let them weed or spade a garden. Perhaps you should let them play with toys or games, like building Lego’s or playing bingo.
It is important to keep in mind that a patient probably won’t want to stay on a task for a very long period of time, but you should constantly encourage your patient, as they need that positive reinforcement to make their lives seem more full. You do not want your patient thinking that they are a burden because it will only encourage the disease to progress more quickly.
Other Things to Keep in Mind as an Alzheimers Caregiver
Always make sure that your patient is taking their medication; this cannot be stressed enough. Each day, the disease will get worse and worse if proper care is not given. Additionally, you should research a good Alzheimer’s diet. The Alzheimer’s foundation has found that a diet consisting of low fat and low cholesterol meals slows the progress of this disease and, for those who do not have Alzheimer’s, this type of dietary habit can aid in preventing Alzheimer’s.
Also, consider supplements such as turmeric or glyconutrients. Both of these supplements have been statistically found to aid in the slowing of Alzheimer’s, which is always a positive benefit. Finally, make sure that your patient is receiving proper amounts of nutrition, as they are not always capable of performing this task on their own.
Being a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient can be a very exhausting task, I understand that. However, if you take on this responsibility, you must make sure that you are doing everything you can for them. If you follow the advice listed in this article, you will be a good caretaker.
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Alzheimers - The Facts - By: David McFarlane
Someone in your family has Alzheimers disease, and you’ve been gathering info on Alzheimers disease to try to help you make decisions about what to do next, but everything you find is so scientific and complicated. What can you tell your kids to make them understand why their grandfather or uncle doesn’t recognize them anymore? The info on Alzheimers disease below is aimed at children and families, so read it together.
Alzheimers: What Is It?
Alzheimers disease is a form of a mental disorder known as “dementia”. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously hampers the brain’s ability to process rational or normal thought and inhibits the daily activities of its sufferers because of this. Alzheimers disease, therefore, affects the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, memory, and language.
Alzheimers disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. The German physician Alois Alzheimer first identified this disorder in 1907. This disorder is a serious illness that affects the memory ability of the brain, capability of learning, making rational decisions and capacity to function routinely.
Alzheimers disease robs millions of people each year of their memories, their personalities, and the ability to complete daily activities. For the longest time, it was believed that nothing could be done to prevent this awful disease; that it was simply something that people had to look forward to when they reached their golden years. However, new research indicates that there is a number of ways to prevent Alzheimers disease.
The hallmark sign of Alzheimers disease is the loss of memory. Generally, those 65 years of age or older, begin to concern themselves with this disease at the first episodes of forgetfulness. Although forgetfulness is a sign of Alzheimers disease, it is important to note that there are other signals that may herald the onset of this malady. Therefore, being knowledgeable about Alzheimers, through exhibited signs, and is paramount for our loved one’s health as well as our own.
Dealing With Alzheimers
Hearing the news that a family member has received an Alzheimers diagnosis can be an emotionally devastating moment in anyone’s life. However, before the Alzheimers diagnosis can be given to the patient and their family, the patient must undergo a variety of laboratory tests, such as medical assessments and laboratory measurements. There is no single test existing that will categorically give the Alzheimers diagnosis.
With this proactive stance, diagnosticians have been able to devise a set of Alzheimers disease testing tools that can detect symptoms of Alzheimers disease in its earlier stages. As of yet, there is no single diagnostic test that is able to determine if a person has Alzheimers disease, but the battery of testing that is available makes it possible for physicians to diagnose it with about 90 percent accuracy. Alzheimers disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis.
An Alzheimers test is important to ensure that the person isn’t just going through the usual memory loss associated with age; however, sometimes an Alzheimers test isn’t necessary. Alzheimers disease doesn’t just affect a person’s memory; it can make people see things that aren’t there, and even send them into screaming fits.
If you think a loved one is starting to become senile or experience other symptoms of dementia, you may want that person to undergo Alzheimers testing. Unfortunately, there is currently no definitive test for Alzheimers disease that a person can undergo. The only way doctors diagnose Alzheimers with 100% certainty is through physical examination of the brain after the person has passed away. Rather than Alzheimers testing, what you want to look for is some type of psychological and behavioral screening coupled with extensive tests to rule out other types of dementia.
Living With Alzheimers
Living with Alzheimers can be a crippling experience for both the disease sufferer and the family that is involved. There are many moments of misunderstanding or confusion for most and the symptoms can become frustrating and difficult. The loss of memory and other associated factors can often cause immense separation in families and can create a nervous tension on relationships that is not necessary if suitable information is available and utilized by all parties involved.
Finding in-house Alzheimers help should not be an emotionally laden issue for the entire family. Tackling this need in an organized way, from evaluating to planning, is the key to making in-house Alzheimers help feasible. First, you should sit down and evaluate the needs of the family caregiver and the patient. From there, creating a job list and a set of guidelines becomes easy to make and follow.
Caring for someone with Alzheimers can be a daunting task. You will need all of the support you can get, along with the latest and most significant Alzheimers info and research. It is a confusing time, and the more you know, the more confident you will feel in your ability to give your loved one the best possible care and support. It is also important to build a support network that will help you to avoid the common problems associated with caretaker burnout.
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Discover How to Become a Successful Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver. - By: Rose Mary
Copyright 2006 Rose Mary
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease in which the condition worsens over time. As more parts of the brain are being damaged, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease become more severe. Patients experience frustration and grief as they struggle with gradual loss of function and fading memory. Their family members grieve as well, as they observe their loved ones losing their abilities, personality and function. Anger, confusion, sadness and depression are common reactions in families experiencing anticipatory grief. Being an Alzheimer’s caregiver takes energy and courage. As the patient’s mental abilities decreases, the caregiver’s responsibility increases. Thus, the caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease could become increasingly difficult and stressful over time. Many Alzheimer’s disease caregivers experience intense stress as they struggle to understand the patient’s behavioural changes and determine what interventions will work for the problems that arise each day. This stressful task can have a detrimental effect on the caregiver’s emotional, social and physical well-being.
One possible way that the caregiver could reduce the stress of caregiving and cope with the task more effectively is to develop skills in caregiving. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses and the behavior of the patient become more complex, caregivers need to understand the patient’s changing behaviors and learn techniques to manage the behavioural difficulties. Thus, it is particularly important that the caregiver acquire knowledge about the Alzheimer’s disease and its progression, skills and strategies for managing the challenges, and information on the available resources to turn to when the need arises. This is even more essential if the caregiver is new to the task. If a new caregiver has totally no knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and is greatly lacking in coping skills, the task of caregiving is even more difficult. Along the way, as the caregiver encounter more and more unexpected new challenges, the caregiver will definitely feel overwhelmed by these problems. The stress experienced by the caregiver would certainly be greater and could result in a detrimental effect on the caregiver’s well-being, which in turn could result in an adverse impact on the patient’s situation.
It is also important to note that every patient deserves the highest standard of care possible and an equipped caregiver is more able to provide the high standard of care required for the patient. At times, although an elderly person with severe impairment in memory and mental function may need to be communicated with at the primary functioning level of a small child, but he or she also needs, and has a right to be respected as an adult. A trained caregiver would learn the communication skills required to interact with the patient and be more equipped to provide proper care for the patient. Hence, training is necessary for the caregiver to acquire the appropriate skills needed for the job and enable the caregiver to provide the standard of care required. The patient will benefit from the quality of care provided.
Thus, the importance of developing skills in caregiving should not be overlooked. It would certainly help the caregiver to cope with the task and reduce the stress of caregiving. At the same time, the caregiver will be able to provide the standard of care required and the patient will benefit from it. Furthermore, if caregivers find that their approaches are effective, they will gain confidence and increased satisfaction doing the task. In this way, hopefully, caregivers would end up finding meaning and purpose in the difficult task of caregiving instead of finding the task a daunting one.
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Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease - By: Barney Garcia
Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that effects the brain cells, leading to dementia and a deterioration of the brain itself. The disease can be hard to diagnose at first, because it happens slowly and the symptoms can be mild. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness, such as forgetting recent events, people’s names or being unable to solve simple math problems. While these symptoms can be alarming, they are not necessarily dangerous. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms become more obvious and can become a serious problem. You will eventually need to seek medical help because the forgetfulness will start to effect daily activities. A person in this stage of Alzheimer’s might forget to brush their teeth, comb their hair and or no longer be able to think clearly. They might forget places or people they have been familiar with their whole lives. In the final stages of Alzheimer’s, the patient may become overly anxious or aggressive and may wander away from home and get lost. At this point, the patient will need total care.
If you are worried about a family member or friend becoming effected with Alzheimer’s disease, there are several warning signs that you should watch for. They include, memory loss of recent events, difficulty performing daily tasks, language problems (forgetting what a toothbrush is called for instance), being disorientated for the time and place they are in, poor judgment for simple things such as dressing appropriately for the weather, being unable to think abstractly, rapid mood changes, personality changes, and a loss of initiative, or becoming very passive in nature.
The disease comes in 7 stages. The first stage of brain deterioration is unsociable by doctors and there are no personality changes in the individual, the second stage includes very mild dementia, followed by the fourth, fifth and sixth stage in which each stage the level of forgetfulness and dementia increase. Finally, the seventh, and final stage of Alzheimer’s is classified as severe and includes symptoms such as becoming incapable of speaking, going to the washroom alone, and inability to walk, sit up straight, smile, or hold their own head up. At this stage, the muscles deteriorate, and become stiff and rigid. Swallowing also becomes impaired.
There is no significant amount of research today that says why or when people develop Alzheimer’s disease. Some research shows that it may be hereditary. It may also be induced by environmental factors such as drug and alcohol intake. However there are no hard facts proving either statement. Currently, there are no cures for the disease, although there is weak evidence suggesting that keeping the brain active by reading or doing crossword puzzles can help reduce an individuals chances of developing the disease.
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New Program Revitalizes Hospice Care for Alzheimer’s Patients - By: Heather Colman
Yoga practitioners are probably familiar with the phrase Namaste, which is used to greet fellow practitioners at the end of every yoga session. When the phrase is accompanied with hands pressed together, prayer-like, and a small bow, it is an Indian equivalent of a Western handshake, but it is also more than that. It signifies a humble acknowledgement of and reverence for the spirit or spark of divinity in a fellow human being.
The Namaste program, a new program for patients in the final stage of Alzheimer’s Disease, strives to respect the inner spirit of dementia patients facing the end of their life by utilizing the resources of family and staff within nursing homes in a unique way.The program does not call for more people or money. Instead, it requires specialized training, caring and creative staff, and a willingness to implement simple activities into dementia patients’ final days that will honor their life and their death.
In a case study that the Namaste program’s creator provided for an article in the January/March 2005 issue of Alzheimer’s Care Quarterly, a special room in the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, Vermont was set aside for day programming for patients in the final stage of Alzheimer’s Disease. Special attention was paid to their comfort, and staff focused on clothing, grooming and hygiene, nutrition, exercise, soft music and comfortable beds and chairs. Patients’ humanity was emphasized with activities that they would personally enjoy. For example, gazing out a window and listening to a tape of birds chirping was planned for a man who was an outdoors enthusiast.
Staff consistently communicated with the patients with praise, conversation, and physical contact, such as hugs and massages, which did not allow isolation to occur. Finally, staff supported family members emotionally and welcomed them to share in both their loved one’s life and death. Finally, when death was imminent, patients were moved into a private room, given pain medication, and surrounded by their loved ones who were fed, accommodated, and supported by staff.
When death occurred, the patient was honored with mementos of their life, such as pictures and a plant. Family members and staff accompanied the patient as far as the hearse. No part of the journey was left unappreciated or unrecognized.
Programs like Namaste are important for patients in the final stage of Alzheimer’s Disease. While nursing homes often have special sections of their facility devoted to Alzheimer’s patients and special activities planned for them, options for programming diminish as dementia increases and patients reach the end of their lives. Facilities are often too understaffed to provide the kind of personal attention that caregivers desire for their loved ones.
Some experts believe that placement in a traditional nursing home may actually speed death in many patients. Alzheimer’s disease is, ultimately, a fatal condition, and patients and their families have as much right to the highest quality of end-of-life care as other terminal patients. Without programs like Namaste, which focus on the whole being—mental, physical, and spiritual—nursing homes may deprive patients and their families of the support and respect they deserve.
This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman. Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and this entire resource box is included.
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Alzheimers; The Causes and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease - By: Tyson J Stevenson
Alzheimer's disease is mainly a brain disorder that involves the deterioration of mental functions. This illness mainly results from the gradual shrinking of brain tissues. This type of brain disorder is also known as dementia or diffuse -brain- atrophy.
· The Causes and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
The actual cause of the disease is still unknown but several factors are believed to be responsible in the development of the brain disorder. The lack of neurochemical factors in the nerve cells is also one of the probable causes of this disease.
The genetics and aging problems are considered to be the main causes of Alzheimer's disease. There are approximately nine out of ten thousand people affected with this malady and it is more often in women than in men. The disease primarily occurs in older people over the age of 65. However, there is very little chance for developing Alzheimer's disease through inherited mutated genes.
The most common symptoms of the Alzheimer's are as follows:
Impaired memory and thinking: The person feels difficulty in remembering very common things like his personal information, such as his place of birth or his occupation.
Difficulty in performing familiar tasks: The person with Alzheimer's disease feels to have difficulty in performing his daily tasks i.e. eating, dressing, showering etc. A person who prepares a meal may forget to serve it or even can't remember whether he has prepared it.
Problems with communication: The person gradually feels difficulty in recalling words or understanding the meanings of common words.
Disorientation and confusion: Patients may get lost in his own familiar place. Recognizing familiar places and situations becomes impossible for them. They even can't understand simple commands or follow directions.
Poor and decreased judgment: The person feels difficulty in taking decisions. As the people affected are always in their own state of mind so they may also leave the house on a cold day without any winter garment or they may even go to the market wearing pajamas.
Misplacing and messing up with things: The person affected with A.D. usually forgets where he has kept his daily used things, such as glasses, keys, etc. The person may also mess up with things, such as breaking glasses, damaging house hold goods, etc.
Changes in behavior and personality: Patients have the tendency to swing their moods rapidly. The patients may even feel dramatic changes in their personality and can become fearful, angry, quiet, etc.
Become passive and lose interest: People generally tend to become passive and show no interest in their usual activities. Extra encouragement is required to make them become active.
Problems with abstract thinking: The person with Alzheimer's disease loves to spend lots of time alone in some lonely place and shows less interest in interacting with other members of the family. They sometimes show symptoms of abstract thinking and also even feel difficulty in recognizing numbers or understanding what to do with them.
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Alzheimer and Families - By: Joseph Then
Alzheimer is a disease that affects the elder’s in the world. It is a slow developing disease that can last for years and it has serious effect on the elder’s memory. They can start to loose their memory of what has happened in the past and not even remember who you are from one day to the next.
But there are times that it would also trigger some detailed memories of the past that they have not thought of in a long time. One of the bad side effects of Alzheimer disease is when they become confused and disorientated in where they are and what they are doing.
This is a scary disease that not many young men and woman think of when they are planning what they are going to do in the future to help take care of their parents. Actually you would think it is a disturbing thought that your parents may not remember who you are one day that you go to visit them.
Some people would say that it is a burden on their family when it comes down to helping them out when Alzheimer’s set in o their parents. Really there is no to prepare for what may happen in the future because no one can predict what may happen to their parents.
You know it would be hard to see your parents like that but the worse thing you could do is completely push them out of your life and that includes everything that is going on with their health. They need to have family around them every chance they get because it seems like when the family does not go to visit and spend time with them their health will just go down the hill and you would end up loosing them faster than what you want or are ready for.
Then just think of how you would feel if you didn’t get to be there when they needed you most like they were with you when you were growing up. All in all you should not turn back on your parents no matter how sick or how well they are because they will need your support like they give you support when you were younger.
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5 Steps To Staying Mentally Sharp And Preventing Alzheimer's Disease - By: Frank Mangano -
If you want to stay sharp and in control of your life well into your golden years, there are proactive methods to achieving the mental alertness you need. More and more research is pointing to the fact that physical activity and lifestyle choices have more to do with preventing Alzheimer s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia - once thought to be a normal part of aging - than pure genetics. So if you had a parent, grandparent or sibling with AD it doesn't mean you have to follow the same path.
Statistics gathered from extensive research do point toward a higher risk of developing AD if you had a close relative with AD - as much as 50%, but that has less to do with genes and more to do with following their lifestyle patterns. If for example, your parents were smokers who rarely exercised, you may have developed some of the same destructive habits.
What can you do to break the cycle and prevent AD? Take action and take control today. Even if you are in your 60s or 70s you can reverse some of the damage done to your brain through poor diet, inactivity, or damaging lifestyle choices. Scientists have discovered very recently that the brain has the ability to repair cells and neurotransmitters and improve cognitive function and memory.
It's Not Too Late to Make A Difference: Start the 5 Steps Today
1. Eat Right. It seems so simple, yet too many people just don't get enough of the mind preserving antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables. A well-balanced diet, free of diary products and using low fat sources of protein will protect both heart and mind.
2. Supplement where necessary. Many diets lack the nutrients proven to promote brain health. These include sources of essential fatty acids found in fish and specific herbs and minerals that can enhance cognitive function.
3. Exercise. Originally it was thought that exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain cells. This is still true, but a report prepared for the National Institutes of Health states that exercise can also stimulate the production growth factors, which are molecules produced by the body to repair and maintain nerves.
4. Lower Your Cholesterol. Many people with early dementia or AD symptoms may have actually experienced small strokes that damaged the brain's neurotransmitters. By keeping cholesterol levels in check, the arteries are free and clear of plaque that can cause stroke.
5. Do your Mental Exercises. Keeping up with current events, working puzzles each day, learning and memorizing new information all work to keeping a mind strong and alert. It is normal for people to sometimes forget a name or date, but the more practice recalling such information the greater the brain's ability to do this throughout old age. In the case of mental challenges, the more you do the more you can push back the clock on cognitive decline.
Five easy steps, when you think about it, can do much to make aging an event to celebrate instead of dread. With age there comes experience and wisdom, and we should all do whatever is within our power to be able to pass that on to the next generation.
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Personality Changes of Alzheimer’s - By: Ryan Arsendatama
One of the most distressing aspect for the relatives and friends of the sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease is the complete change of the patient’s personality. The personality and general behavior of Alzheimer sufferers in the later stages of the disease often seems to be in complete contrast to the normal behavior they have always exhibited in their previous life.
A person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease may suffer from rapid mood changes – from calm to tears to anger and rage – for apparently no reason. Their personality changes dramatically, by becoming extremely confused, suspicious, and fearful. Where they were independent before, they now become overtly dependent on a family member or a carer.
There are changes of personality to such an extent that a person, who was very active before, suddenly becomes passive, sitting for hours in one place, say, in front of the TV, sleeping for longer hours – which is not normal for him/her, and failing or not willing to do the usual activities, which were normal in the past.
Another quality of Alzheimer’s disease and changes in personality is that the previously well hidden underlying features of the person's character sometimes come to the fore. Spiteful traits, which were not present before, can be revealed. A tendency to anxiety, nervousness or aggression, both verbal and physical, can surface again specially in the later stages.
The personality changes may affect different Alzheimer sufferers differently. Some may remain their old self, albeit with accompanying memory loss and orientation problems, where as others may suffer varying mood swings which can fluctuate from being ecstatically happy to very sad.
The underlying traits, such as verbal aggression, and continuing anxiety become very prominent and cause lots of problems in the later stages of the disease. The patient will require continuous reassurance from carers and friends.
Personal hygiene is another major issue with Alzheimer disease sufferers. They forget to wash and bathe and gradually it becomes very infrequent. Alzheimer’s disease sufferers who were very particular about their hygiene etc become very negligent.
Clothing regularly become stained with urine and faeces, and this is very distressing to their friends, relatives and carers. Many Alzheimer sufferers leave the toilet before they are finished, or they do not clean their butt or private parts correctly. "Body odor" therefore especially can become a problem, as can also soiled clothing and hands.
They are so disoriented and forgetful that at times they Undress in public and "accidentally" flash or fondle their genitals. This is a major problem and need to be carefully monitored. This can also cause untold embarrassment to carers, relatives, and everyone around.
Sometimes it is forgotten by some carers and relatives that it isn't the act of soiling or untoward behavior that needs to be taken into account, but the importance of dignity being maintained at all times. Dignity is a very precious commodity to own when suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, as this is often all they have left.
If you see and recognize the above warning signs in your loved ones, or even in yourself, immediately consult your doctor. To avail of appropriate treatment and care, it is important to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease early. Sometimes you may feel these symptoms of mood swings and memory lapses to be normal for an ageing person, and you may be correct, but the symptoms in an Alzheimer’s patient are more severe. Therefore, it is always better to worry on the side of caution and opt for medical consultations.
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Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease - By: Joseph Then
There is a disease out there that scares a lot young people in today’s world. They start to worried about whether their parents are going to end up one of the elders that are wondering out in the streets not knowing where they are. Who they are or even where they live. You know it’s a scary thought but it happens.
More elders and their family are finding out that they have the Alzheimer Disease and it does put fear into their children and grandchildren. Really how would you feel if you go to visit your parents or grandparents one day and they had no idea who you are?
First couple of visits you could get them to remember who you are but you noticed that as the months or years went on it just continued to get worse. Then that dreadful day came that no matter just how much you tried to explain who you are they just could not remember.
But you noticed that they could remember events that happened before you were born and luckily they did tell you about a few of them before so you had an idea of what they are talking about.
By the time that this happens you start to feel helpless and just try to talk to anyone including friend, family, and doctors plus you even take time to look up information that would help you make a good choice for your parents or grandparents. All of this would make you start to wonder if they are going to be all right there at their house by their self.
The first step you might take is to get some help in there for them but if that does not work then what would you have left to do? Maybe move in yourself or would you have to send them to a home that is equipped to take care of elders with Alzheimer Disease.
That is one decision that not very many young adults are ready and willing to take because all they want is what is best for their parents and it would be a hard decision to make.
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Hello" thank God for the wonderful healing spell power
ReplyDeletewhich Dr Oza render to my life which oracle support,
i was been diagnosed with ALZHEIMER DISEASE over 5years now
which has lead me to unemployment and loosing my
relationship with my fiance after he heard that i am
suffering from the ALZHEIMER DISEASE i tried begging him to allow me
stays with him, but he still insist on letting me out of his
home, until a friend of mine on Facebook from SOUTH
AFRICA told me more about Dr Oza the great healer,
that he is going to help restore and healed my diseased
with his powerful healing spell, she send me of Dr Oza
email address and i quickly contacted him, and he
replied to after 30mins of my message that my disease is
a little and minor disease, that he will solved the disease
immediately only if i can accept all he requested from, i
told him yes, because truly i know that " ALZHEIMER IS A
WICKED AND DEADLY DISEASE I EVER KNOWS ". so i did
all he want from me and surprisingly on Friday last week
Dr Oza called me that my problems is solved that i
should hurry up to the hospital for a checkup, which i
truly really did, i confirm from my doctor that i am now
NEGATIVE AND NOT LONG +, I jump up and was crying
heavily because truly the disease drive alot of things away
from my life, my friends, my cousin, my fiance and
relatives, but now since i was confirm NEGATIVE- my lost
friends and fiance has been back to me begging for
forgiveness, i have forgiven them and now we are now
best of friend. again i will say to Dr Oza that he is
blessed and may the almighty God which i serve raise
him and his family to the higher level in life. Thank and
god bless. Please email Dr Oza for healing and
solution now at = Ozaspelllordtemple@gmail.com or
visit him at http://diseasecure.webs.com
For more information and advise you can email me at=johnlinda5256@gmail.com