| Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease that is | | | | performing everyday personal hygiene functions. |
| characterized by the progressive loss of brain | | | | They often also lose the ability to speak clearly, read |
| function. The areas of the brain targeted first by the | | | | or write. At this stage in the disease, even older |
| disease are associated with memory, so the first | | | | memories become affected, and afflicted people |
| observable symptoms are usually mild forms of | | | | may not recognize family members or life long friends |
| amnesia. Alzheimer's is the most common form of | | | | at times. |
| the more general condition known as dementia. | | | | In the later and final stages of the disease, individuals |
| Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe any | | | | usually have complete memory loss and will recognize |
| progressive damage to the areas of the brain that | | | | no one. They will be unable to communicate, walk, |
| control memory or any other cognitive function. | | | | participate in personal care activities, or even eat on |
| The earliest stages of Alzheimer's all involve | | | | their own. As a result, sufferers in these late stages |
| symptoms associated with memory loss. Affected | | | | usually are incontinent and begin to lose a lot of |
| individuals may have a hard time remembering what | | | | weight. They often spend most of their time |
| day or month it is. They may find themselves losing | | | | sleeping, and frequently suffer from seizures. |
| items more frequently than normal, forgetting recent | | | | Alzheimer's will eventually lead to death due to loss |
| events or confused and disoriented in familiar | | | | of brain function. |
| environments. Normally, old memories are unaffected | | | | While there are no known cures for Alzheimer's, |
| in these earlier stages. An affected person will | | | | there are some treatments available that can slow |
| recognize old friends and family, but may not have | | | | the condition down, and a promising array of new |
| any clear memory of recent interactions with them. | | | | treatments on the horizon. Our increased |
| As Alzheimer's progresses, the affected person | | | | understanding of biology and the human genetic code |
| often begins exhibiting difficult behavior. They often | | | | have many scientists hopeful for effective |
| become paranoid, quick to anger, overreact to minor | | | | preventive measures and possibly even cures in the |
| things, suffer from hallucinations, and can even | | | | near future. Already, there are results from a number |
| become violent. These behaviors are seen even in | | | | of recent studies that suggest that certain life |
| individuals that were shy, timid, or passive people | | | | behaviors, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, |
| prior to developing the disease. Someone in the | | | | can help reduce your chances of developing the |
| middle stages of Alzheimer's will usually begin to lose | | | | disease. |
| motor control and will need help dressing and | | | | |