| What is Alzheimer's exactly? This particular disease | | | | Although there is not a lot you can do to protect |
| can be described as a progressive, degenerative | | | | yourself from developing Alzheimer's, one thing you |
| disease of the brain; and also happens to be the | | | | can do is to try and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This |
| most common type of dementia. It is a horrible | | | | disease is the fourth largest cause of death in |
| progressive terminal disease in which the patient's | | | | America, and is the most common type of dementia, |
| brain cells gradually die and slowly shut down many of | | | | with roughly 10% of people over 65 being found to |
| the victim's body functions, like speech, thought | | | | develop it. Studies have shown that the healthier and |
| patterns and memory. Research has shown that the | | | | happier the person with this disease is, the slower |
| largest risk factor for developing this disease is | | | | the speed of their decline |
| getting older. Having said that, Alzheimer's is a | | | | There is currently no cure and not a great deal of |
| progressive neurological disorder of the elderly that | | | | treatment for Alzheimer's disease. One of the |
| does not necessarily have to be part of the normal | | | | medications indicated for the treatment of this |
| aging process. | | | | disorder is called cholinesterase inhibitors. Of course, |
| Discovering that you or someone close to you has | | | | examination by a qualified medical person is needed |
| been diagnosed with Alzheimer's can be extremely | | | | to guarantee the correct diagnosis and treatment of |
| upsetting, and the day to day caring of a loved one | | | | Alzheimer's disease and other similar disorders. |
| with this disease can be quite challenging. Another | | | | Before any course of treatment for Alzheimer's is |
| problem for families caring for a loved one with | | | | undertaken, the patient's wishes and also those of |
| Alzheimer's can be the financial cost, this cost being | | | | the family should be considered. One question I would |
| directly related to the severity of the disease. | | | | like to ask, and has been asked by others is, this |
| Alzheimer's is, in my opinion the cruelest of the | | | | disease was discovered about 100 years ago, so |
| diseases that strike the elderly, the one bit of good | | | | why has the treatment for it not advanced at a |
| news being, that in most cases, it is not inherited. | | | | faster rate. |