| With an estimated 5-million plus Americans alone | | | | brain abnormalities over time. These plaques and |
| suffering from Alzheimers disease, there is no | | | | tangles are caused by certain proteins, but how the |
| denying this condition is a real problem. With no | | | | tangles and plaques form exactly is still under study. |
| definitive cause or cure, Alzheimers is characterized | | | | While in its earlier phases, Alzheimers is often |
| by its slow, but steady ravaging of a person's mental | | | | mistaken for "normal" aging. This disease is anything |
| capacity. | | | | but. Although there is no known cure, there are |
| The symptoms of the disease vary a bit from | | | | some medications and therapies that have worked in |
| person to person and also between stages. Very | | | | helping slow the progress of the condition. A proper |
| early signs of the disease include very minor | | | | diagnosis is vital, however. |
| forgetfulness, which can be attributed to many other | | | | Sadly, this condition is often the one chosen to label |
| causes, as well. As the disease progresses, there is a | | | | many other forms of dementia. The predominance of |
| greater loss of mental abilities. In its final stages, | | | | the disease is generally why this happens. The reality |
| Alzheimers patients are typically totally dependant on | | | | is that there are many, many other conditions that |
| caregivers for everything from feedings to tying their | | | | can have very similar symptoms, especially in the |
| shoes. | | | | early and middle stages. Many of these other |
| The disease operates somewhat like a thief in the | | | | conditions are treatable, reversible and even |
| night, coming in and gradually stripping away a | | | | short-lived. It is extremely important to rule out other |
| person's memories, abilities and even identity. It can | | | | potential causes for symptoms before an Alzheimers |
| take up to 20 years for this condition to fully | | | | diagnosis is settled upon. |
| progress, or as little as five. The condition has great | | | | If the symptoms of Alzheimers are suspected in a |
| impacts not only on the patient, but also family and | | | | loved one, it is very important to seek help. It is also |
| friends. Loved ones with this disease are very likely | | | | important to look for other potential causes for the |
| to completely forget their families as this condition | | | | behavior. Things such as bad medication combinations, |
| progresses. | | | | extreme stress, normal aging and even other |
| While research into the causes and potential cures | | | | diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Huntington's and |
| continues, right now there are no solid answers. | | | | Parkinson's can evoke similar symptoms in some |
| Some risk factors have been identified, however. | | | | cases. |
| They include family history and age. The disease is | | | | With more than five million cases diagnosed in the |
| known to strike mostly those age 65 and over, | | | | United States along, there is no doubt that |
| although much younger cases have been | | | | Alzheimers is a major problem for the aging |
| documented. The genetic link seems to be strong, | | | | community. The race is on to an answer to this most |
| but it must be noted that not all patients with this | | | | troubling of medical conditions. Robbing people of |
| disease have a family history of it. | | | | their minds. |
| Alzheimers itself is characterized by the formation of | | | | |