| A neurodegenerative disease that is mostly found in | | | | none of us have a crystal ball and I am pretty sure |
| people over the age of 60 and affects approximately | | | | we were not born with expiration dates. Some |
| twenty four million people worldwide is called | | | | people with Alzheimer's have very long lives, and |
| Alzheimer's disease. It is a disease that leaves many | | | | some do not. It depends on the when the disease is |
| of its sufferers with little to no cognitive abilities in | | | | diagnosed and the stage and speed of progression of |
| the most severe of cases. It is heartbreaking for | | | | the disease. |
| those whose loved ones have Alzheimer's and it is | | | | There are three stages, each with their own set of |
| frustrating for those that suffer with it. Alzheimer's | | | | symptoms: |
| can steal away the one you love so it is important to | | | | |
| know what you can about the disease, the stages | | | | 1. Mild - this is an earliest stage of the disease. It is |
| and any possible treatments available and just as | | | | signified by a patient's tendency to be less energetic. |
| important, resources for you in interacting with the | | | | This is also the stage where the symptoms are |
| person that has Alzheimer's. | | | | missed by the family most often. Here a patient can |
| Usually, the first noticeable sign or symptom of | | | | receive a diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment if the |
| Alzheimer's disease is going to be the short-term | | | | symptoms are not "severe" enough to warrant the |
| memory loss coupled with visual-spatial confusion. | | | | diagnoses of dementia. |
| While in the beginning, the symptoms may seem like | | | | 2. Moderate - the patient may still be able to take |
| simple forgetfulness and difficulty getting oneself | | | | care of themselves independently as far as simple |
| down an aisle, these two symptoms alone progress | | | | tasks are concerned such as brushing their teeth or |
| into forgetting yesterday and getting lost in your | | | | using the bathroom, but they may need help with |
| own neighborhood. | | | | tasks such as cooking a meal or driving a car. |
| It will be a family member that notices these subtle | | | | 3. Severe - the progression of the disease here is |
| changes first, so it is important that we all know the | | | | drastic, it leaves a patient unable to care for |
| symptoms at early onset. This will help with diagnosis | | | | themselves or be able to control bodily functions, and |
| and treatment of the disease. You may also notice | | | | they often do not recognize those that they love. |
| that the person in early stages of Alzheimer's disease | | | | They are alone and have often given up by this |
| may seem a little more uninhibited, or they could | | | | point. |
| become disorientated, there may also be sudden | | | | As far as treatment goes, it depends on when the |
| behavioral changes like a violent outburst, or passivity | | | | disease is caught. There isn't a cure for Alzheimer's |
| that was not present before. These are all | | | | disease yet. There are treatments that can slow the |
| symptoms that need to be reported to the doctor | | | | progression such as ginkgo biloba, NMDA antagonists |
| at the first notice of them. | | | | and statin simvastatin are just a few that are being |
| As Alzheimer's disease progresses, there is a | | | | used to help slow the process. |
| deterioration of musculature and mobility. This often | | | | For caregivers dealing with Alzheimer's patients, |
| leads to bedridden patients who can no longer care | | | | whether you are related to them or not, understand |
| for themselves if an external cause such as | | | | that this requires a lot of patience and understanding |
| pneumonia does not take them first. The progression | | | | on your part. It is very difficult to watch a grown |
| of Alzheimer's disease is a very difficult and painful | | | | adult deteriorate to the point of where they are a |
| process to watch, especially when it is happening to | | | | shell of someone that was at one point a vibrant |
| someone you love. We need to know the stages of | | | | human being. For loved ones that are being the care |
| the disease so we know what to expect and when | | | | giver, the best advice is to find a support group and |
| so that we are able to cope with it as well. | | | | join it. It cannot be underestimated how important it |
| Once a person has been diagnosis with Alzheimer's | | | | is that you have someone to talk to. You have to |
| disease, the average life expectancy is then another | | | | remain strong, and you can not give up. It is not |
| seven to ten years. We say "on average" because | | | | easy, but you can get through this. |