What is Alzheimer’s? Dementia Support and How it Affects Us
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. It is also the most difficult to diagnose, especially since its onset is generally later in life than most other diseases.
The disease destroys brain cells and deprives sufferers of their cognitive abilities. The cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s patients can be extremely sudden and frustrating for their friends and family.
Unfortunately, once Alzheimer’s is diagnosed, it is extremely difficult to treat. This is because most drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s are highly toxic and can have severe side effects, rendering them useless in the long-term.
Because there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, the focus of treatment is education.
This means that caregivers of patients diagnosed with this debilitating disease should educate themselves about the disease so they can offer their patients the support they need to live a full and productive life.
A lot of information regarding what is Alzheimer’s can be found online, but it can also be hard to sort through the fact from the fiction.
There are a lot of opinions floating around about whether or not dementia is a real disease or whether it is just a personality disorder.
Unfortunately, there is no one test to determine if dementia truly exists, and most doctors do not have access to conclusive scientific evidence to prove or disprove the theory.
The good news is that the majority of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease will not develop the debilitating symptoms of the disease until they are in their eighties or nine years of age.
This means that the disease does not necessarily have a genetic element. The bad news is that if patients do develop some of the cognitive symptoms of dementia, it could be too late to reverse them by then.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, a handful of supplements have been developed to increase the health of the brain and provide a bit of what is Alzheimer’s dementia support.
If you suffer from this painful disease, it may be time to start taking some supplements!
What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease? This is one question that many people ask their doctor or anyone else who may be knowledgeable about this topic.
The difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can be defined as the different causes of this progressive, degenerative brain disease.
What happens is that the brain cells die; but unlike what is commonly thought, it does not affect the healthy cells. Dementia on the other hand affects those cells that are healthy.
The reason for this difference between the two diseases is mainly because they have different characteristics.
Alzheimer’s disease is also known as Huntington’s Disease due to the gene that is associated with this disease.
Dementia on the other hand is a pure genetic disorder. Although there is no cure for the disease, there are treatments that are available to slow its progression.
There is no cure for dementia, but there are medications that help to relieve some of the symptoms that the patient may experience, such as memory loss and confusion.
The difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is something that everyone should understand and be aware of.
This disease can be a very difficult one to deal with because of the various signs and symptoms that an individual may experience. However, it is important to speak with one’s doctor for more information on this disease.
Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease – Can You Recognize Them?
Alzheimer’s disease is without a doubt one of the most confusing and complex mental disorders in the modern era.
For patients, their families, friends, and colleagues are bombarded with an avalanche of information about what to expect with the development of such a disease.
There are innumerable theories on what causes Alzheimer’s, with each having a completely different view on the signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
There is also no concrete medical test for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, rendering it impossible for doctors to tell if a patient really does have the disorder.
This makes it extremely important that people who are at risk are made aware of the early signs of Alzheimer’s so that they can take measures to prevent the onset of this progressive brain disorder.
Although the signs of Alzheimer’s disease tend to differ from one person to another, there are common traits to most sufferers that can help them recognize the onset of the neurodegenerative disorder.
Judgment is Compromised
The first early signs of Alzheimer’s symptoms include a decline in judgment and a decline in one or more of the cognitive functions of the person.
Memory Loss
Patients usually complain of memory loss and frequent changes in behavior, from being very talkative to completely unorganized.
Speech is Different
Other symptoms include failure to maintain professional relationships, and changes in speech, from one level of speech to another, a tendency to slip in sentences, and an overall reduction in social awareness, communication, and sense of humor.
The emergence of these early signs of Alzheimer’s disease can be alarming to people who have been experiencing memory loss themselves.
It is not uncommon to suddenly encounter forgetting a few names, numbers, or even a specific date.
People can also sometimes experience lapses in their ability to perform basic tasks and can sometimes find it difficult to concentrate on simple tasks such as reading a book.
Unfortunately, these early signs of Alzheimer’s disease are typically only detected on an initial visit to the doctor, as the disease can be mistaken for other health problems.
Often times, only a series of tests will be conducted, without any real indication of Alzheimer’s disease is present.
The reality is that one should always be on the lookout for any changes in behavior, language or sense of purpose.
If you’re feeling particularly concerned or scared, these may be early signs of Alzheimer’s, but they should never be ignored.
It is possible to find out if someone you love is showing signs of Alzheimer’s by ordering a simple clinical assessment from a medical professional.
Alzheimer’s disease can have a devastating effect on everyday life, especially when family, friends and colleagues begin to notice subtle changes in the individual’s behavior.
The early signs of Alzheimer’s disease may not be sudden and certainly won’t be noticeable all at once.
However, anyone who experiences changes in their personality and/or communication with others should consider the possibility that Alzheimer’s disease may be present.
In addition, anyone who has difficulty performing tasks such as recognizing familiar people or distinguishing one person from another should also consider the possibility that Alzheimer’s could be the problem.
It is possible to protect yourself and your loved ones against the early signs of Alzheimer’s by implementing a regular routine that includes daily exercise and relaxation techniques.
Regular exercise lowers blood pressure and increases oxygen to the brain, both of which are associated with a decrease in the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
Relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga can also be very helpful. These should be introduced and practiced early on to ensure that they are still active and effective even after the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease – A Simple Explanation
What causes Alzheimer’s disease is still being researched at this time, but there are many symptoms that can be looked at when trying to find a cause.
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that affects the brain and causes memory loss, as well as problems with thinking and language.
The reason why this happens is that the nerve cells in the brain begin to lose their ability to function properly.
One of the most common symptoms is that the person will have problems with recognizing familiar faces and also will have difficulty understanding written language.
The actual cause of Alzheimer’s disease has not been pinpointed. It has been found to be more common in people that are Hispanic and African American.
It is also found to be more common in women than men. This is because men have less chance of having plaques build upon their brains due to testosterone.
When men do have these plaques in their brain, it is usually very noticeable because of the blackening of the brain that comes with it.
Women, on the other hand, rarely have these plaques because their nerve cells are typically very healthy.
What causes Alzheimer’s disease is not only related to the actual plaques themselves, but it is also to the toxins and amyloid proteins that are plaques are made of.
The amyloid proteins in these plaques begin to damage the nerve cells of the patient much like those amyloids in your own brain do.
This makes it rather difficult for the patient to remember things or to type. When someone has an early-onset of Alzheimer’s, it is very likely that they will experience more forgetfulness than anyone else.
What You Need to Know About Alzheimer’s Treatment
The first Alzheimer’s treatment identified was in the form of a compound, now known as Plaquenil.
The compound was a combination of vitamin B6 and pyridoxine hydrochloride, two substances that are found in most people’s regular diets.
However, because this was a new substance and therefore still relatively unknown, there was some concern that the effects of this compound would not be as effective as we would hope for.
Scientists have since conducted several studies showing that Plaquenil has positive benefits in treating Alzheimer’s patients, proving it to be an effective treatment.
Another Alzheimer’s treatment that showed great promise in the early stages of development was the development of a pharmaceutical called Betaseron.
In this clinical trial, patients taking an oral supplement containing the omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), saw their cognitive functions improve.
DHA omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important for preventing memory loss and dementia in elderly individuals.
This particular supplement also demonstrated anti-amyloid activity, which is a critical factor in combating the progress of this neurodegenerative disease.
This particular study was a positive step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s and demonstrates the importance of using all natural compounds for treating this condition.
While the positive results of these two drugs may put you on the right track toward achieving a healthier brain, there is much more research needed to confirm that these compounds are truly capable of preventing and treating this condition.
One exciting potential supplement that has been gaining fans in the world of health and wellness and recently received approval for human use is the recently patented Ginkgo Biloba extract.
Clinical studies have shown that the extract from the ginkgo Biloba increases acetylcholine receptor sensitivity in the brain, which leads to improved memory function.
Further clinical testing is needed to confirm the effectiveness of this combination for treating Alzheimer’s, but this combination has already drawn rave reviews from many patients and medical professionals.
Is Alzheimer’s Genetic? – Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease
It is commonly said that Alzheimer’s is” Genetic” because the cause is not yet established.
However, the facts show that there are several common symptoms of this mental disease that can be found among the families that have a history of this disease.
This includes, poor judgment, lack of memory, and thinking quickly; poor hygiene; and you find that family members suffer from forgetfulness also.
The family history of Alzheimer’s can be detected by performing a familial risk score test or a genome-wide association scan.
Nowadays, more families are experiencing a higher rate of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, there are several diseases like, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart problems, and some others which also have a high familial risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or you have a close family member who has this mental disease, you are more likely to have it yourself. So you need to start tracking your family history now.
What are some of the ways you can avoid getting this brain disorder? For one, you need to keep a good diet, keep a healthy lifestyle, and get enough sleep.
In addition, regular exercise can help the body function better and boost the immune system. And finally, learn as much as you can about this disease through the internet and related resources.
Alzheimer’s Therapy – What You Should Know
Alzheimer’s disease is without a doubt one of the most frustrating and difficult diseases to have to live with.
The symptoms are sometimes so subtle that patients don’t often realize that they are suffering from this brain disorder.
Because of the terrible impact that this disease has on the lives of patients, it is important that we as a society try to do everything that we can to help prevent Alzheimer’s from becoming a major problem in our society. One of the best ways to do this is with Alzheimer’s therapy.