Alzheimers Disease Essay -- Health Memory Diseases Essays

Alzheimers Disease, progressive brain disorder that causes a gradual and irreversible decline in memory, run-in skills, perception of time and space, and, eventually, the ability to care for oneself. First described by German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer in 1906, Alzheimers disease was initially thought to be a rare condition affecting only young people, and was referred to as presenile dementia. To twenty-four hours late-onset Alzheimers disease is recognised as the most common cause of the loss of genial function in those aged 65 and over. Alzheimers in people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, called archeozoic-onset Alzheimers disease, occurs much less frequently, accounting for less than 10 percent of the estimated 4 gazillion Alzheimers cases in the United States.Although Alzheimers disease is not a public part of the aging process, the risk of developing the disease increases, as people grow older. closely 10 percent of the United States population over the age of 65 is affected by Alzheimers disease, and nearly 50 percent of those over age 85 may have the disease.Alzheimers disease takes a devastating toll, not only on the patients, but also on those who love and care for them. Some patients arrive immense fear and frustration as they struggle with once commonplace tasks and slowly lose their independence. Family, friends, and especially those who provide daily care suffer innumerable pain and stress as they witness Alzheimers disease slowly take their loved one from them.The onset of Alzheimers disease is usually very gradual. In the early stages, Alzheimers patients have relatively mild problems learning new information and remembering where they have left common objects, such as keys or a wallet. In time, they begin to have trouble recollecting recent events and finding the right words to express themselves. As the disease progresses, patients may have difficulty remembering what day or month it is, or finding their way around familiar surroundings. They may develop a tendency to wander off and then be unable to find their way back. Patients often beat irritable or withdrawn as they struggle with fear and frustration when once commonplace tasks become unfamiliar and intimidating. Behavioural changes may become more pronounced as patients become paranoid or delusional and unable to engage in normal conversation.Eventually Alzheimers patients... ...be learned, but as scientists better understand the genetic components of Alzheimers, the roles of the amyloid precursor protein and the tau protein in the disease, and the mechanisms of nerve cell degeneration, the gap that a treatment go forth be developed is more likely.The responsibility for caring for Alzheimers patients generally falls on their spouses and children. Care givers must constantly be on guard for the possibility of an Alzheimers patient wandering away or becoming agitated or confused in a manner that jeopardises the patient or others. Coping with a loved ones dec line and inability to recognise familiar faces causes enormous pain.The increased burden faced by families is intense, and the life of the Alzheimers care giver is often called a 36-hour day. Not surprisingly, care givers often develop health and psychological problems of their own as a result of this stress. The Alzheimers Association, a national organisation with local chapters throughout the United States, was formed in 1980 in large measure to provide support for Alzheimers care givers. Today, national and local chapters are a valuable reference for information, referral, and advice.