The doctor will first determine whether the patient has any of the following problems:
1) Memory lapses,
2) Difficulty using language,
3) Problems learning and retaining new information,
4) Difficulty following directions or handling complex tasks,
5) Episodes of poor judgment or unusual or risky behaviors.
The doctor will perform a neurological examination (to check the brain and nerves), as well as a brief mental state examination, which includes visual, writing and memory testing. He would also check for other illnesses that can cause symptoms that resemble Alzheimer's disease. Testing may include blood tests to make sure that blood chemistry and the levels of vitamin B-12 and thyroid hormone are normal.
In some cases, the doctor may order a brain imaging study to be more certain that there is not some other reason for the symptoms. The results of a computed tomography (CT) scan, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and a positron emission tomography (PET) scan cannot diagnose Alzheimer's with certainty.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease?
Sadly, there is no way to prevent Alzheimer's disease although Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may offer some protection. This is being studied. Staying physically and mentally active and having a high educational level is associated with a lower risk of developing the disease.
Alzheimar's, a neurodegenerative disease
Alzheimer's disease (A.D), also known simply as Alzheimer's, is a neurodegenerative disease (a condition in which cells of the brain and spinal cord are lost. It affects people over age 65. Approximately 24 million people worldwide have dementia of which the majority (~60%) is due to Alzheimer's.
Clinical signs of this disease are characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration, together with declining activities of daily living and by behavioral changes. It is the most common type of dementia (the progressive decline in cognitive function). Some changes in the brain cells can only be discovered at autopsy and help to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Medications can help reduce the symptoms of the disease, but they cannot change the course of the underlying pathology.
Although the cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, genetic factors are suspected.
Clinical signs of this disease are characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration, together with declining activities of daily living and by behavioral changes. It is the most common type of dementia (the progressive decline in cognitive function). Some changes in the brain cells can only be discovered at autopsy and help to confirm the clinical diagnosis. Medications can help reduce the symptoms of the disease, but they cannot change the course of the underlying pathology.
Although the cause of Alzheimer's is unknown, genetic factors are suspected.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Stages and symptoms
1) Mild — In the early stage of the disease, patients have a tendency to become less energetic or spontaneous, though changes in their behavior often go unnoticed even by the patients' immediate family. This stage of the disease has also been termed Minor Cognitive Impairment.
2) Moderate — As the disease progresses to the middle stage, patients might still be able to perform tasks independently but may need assistance with more complicated activities.
3) Severe — Finally as the disease progresses from the middle to the late stage, patients will not be able to perform even simple tasks independently and will require constant supervision. They become incontinent of bladder and then incontinent of bowel. They will eventually lose the ability to walk and eat without assistance. Language becomes severely disorganized, and then is lost altogether. They may eventually lose the ability to swallow food and fluid, and this can ultimately lead to death.
1) Mild — In the early stage of the disease, patients have a tendency to become less energetic or spontaneous, though changes in their behavior often go unnoticed even by the patients' immediate family. This stage of the disease has also been termed Minor Cognitive Impairment.
2) Moderate — As the disease progresses to the middle stage, patients might still be able to perform tasks independently but may need assistance with more complicated activities.
3) Severe — Finally as the disease progresses from the middle to the late stage, patients will not be able to perform even simple tasks independently and will require constant supervision. They become incontinent of bladder and then incontinent of bowel. They will eventually lose the ability to walk and eat without assistance. Language becomes severely disorganized, and then is lost altogether. They may eventually lose the ability to swallow food and fluid, and this can ultimately lead to death.
Is there a cure for Alzheimer's disease?
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, but scientific research is bringing us closer to a cure every day. Outstanding progress has already been made in unraveling the mysteries of Alzheimer's disease, including what causes it and what happens in the brain as the disease progresses.
New understandings about these processes have already provided critical information about how doctors might prevent, delay, stop or even reverse the nerve cell damage that leads to the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer's. All around the world, scientists and pharmaceutical companies are now racing to develop treatments that address the underlying disease processes, some of which (or a combination of which) might effectively solve the Alzheimer's puzzle.
New understandings about these processes have already provided critical information about how doctors might prevent, delay, stop or even reverse the nerve cell damage that leads to the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer's. All around the world, scientists and pharmaceutical companies are now racing to develop treatments that address the underlying disease processes, some of which (or a combination of which) might effectively solve the Alzheimer's puzzle.
What Is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease damages the brain's intellectual functions (memory, orientation, calculation), but at first, it largely spares those parts of the brain that control sensation and movement. The memory often is affected early and gradually deteriorates, causing impaired judgment and other problems that may affect your ability to perform normal daily activities. Although Alzheimer's usually begins later in life, generally after age 60, it can affect people as young as age 30.
In Alzheimer's disease, deposits of proteins called amyloid and TAU distort communication between brain cells. Also, levels of a chemical called acetylcholine that helps transmit messages between brain cells begin to drop, causing more communication problems. Eventually, brain cells themselves are affected. They begin to shrivel and die, causing certain areas of the brain to shrink.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 50% to 67% of all cases in people aged 65 and older. Approximately 4 million people in the United States currently have the disease.
In Alzheimer's disease, deposits of proteins called amyloid and TAU distort communication between brain cells. Also, levels of a chemical called acetylcholine that helps transmit messages between brain cells begin to drop, causing more communication problems. Eventually, brain cells themselves are affected. They begin to shrivel and die, causing certain areas of the brain to shrink.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 50% to 67% of all cases in people aged 65 and older. Approximately 4 million people in the United States currently have the disease.
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