| Dementia is defined as a progressive loss of memory | | | | human body, it isn't yet exactly clear what causes it, |
| and mental capacity that is usually experienced by | | | | nor has a drug been developed that will cure it. It's |
| people as they get older, though there isn't any | | | | well understood that a combination of brain cell death |
| predetermined age in which such a condition can | | | | and a lack of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine |
| strike. Dementia is a slow, progressive disease | | | | causes symptoms of Alzheimer's. |
| process that can exhibit signs and symptoms for | | | | People these days are desperate to find a way to |
| months, or even years. Of all the types of dementia, | | | | prevent or slow the onslaught of Alzheimer's, but |
| Alzheimer's disease is by far the most prevalent. | | | | studies are slow to show progress. Some recent |
| Almost 70% of dementia cases are diagnosed as | | | | studies tend to show that daily doses of a |
| Alzheimer's disease, and the word has spread far and | | | | nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drug may reduce |
| wide with its alarming, irreversible and dehabilitating | | | | chances of being stricken with the disease, but |
| consequences. | | | | results are non-definitive to date. One thing is certain, |
| Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that affects the | | | | however, despite common rumor, and to the |
| brain and results in gradual memory loss of both | | | | contrary, Prempro or Premarin hormone therapy |
| long-term and short-term memory capabilities, as well | | | | does not prevent the disease. Another common |
| as personality change and impaired ability to reason | | | | rumor is that the herb ginkgo may help to reduce the |
| and think. It isn't difficult for a physician to diagnose | | | | chance of succumbing to the disease, but again, |
| dementia, and several tests will help determine | | | | results aren't definitive. |
| whether or not you or a loved one might be | | | | People diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are |
| experiencing early stage Alzheimer's. The disease | | | | encouraged by doctors to remain as active as |
| affects people differently, as well as their life | | | | possible in order to help prevent a rapid decline of |
| expectancy after diagnosis. Some people decline | | | | mental acuity. Social interaction, stimulation and regular |
| rapidly while others don't. Some people live only a | | | | forms of exercise will help keep brain cells active. |
| few years after diagnosis, while others live twenty or | | | | Maintaining a schedule may help patients maintain |
| more years with the disease. Today, roughly four | | | | cognitive levels longer, as well as the creation of |
| million people have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in | | | | notes or small signs throughout the home to help |
| the United States alone. It is most common in people | | | | with visual-cognitive functions. |
| over 65 years of age, though people in their forties | | | | The diagnosis of Alzheimer's in a loved one is a |
| and fifties have been diagnosed with it as well. For | | | | terrible blow. There are no easy answers on how to |
| about 10% of those diagnosed with early onset | | | | deal with the disease. Information is knowledge, |
| Alzheimer's in their forties and fifties, there is a family | | | | however, and the more we know about the how's |
| history of the disease present. | | | | and whys of the disease, the better equipped we will |
| While much progress has been made to understand | | | | be to help care for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's. |
| what Alzheimer's disease is and how it affects the | | | | |