As you are getting older and your body is changing in many ways, have you ever wondered if Alzheimer's disease is sneaking up on you? It is important to know at this time there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Today's treatments require early detection to add greater control of Alzheimer's. Early detection allows the patient and family member's time to prepare for the future.
Alzheimer's is a very stressful disease not only for the caregiver but extremely worrisome to the patient. It begins to take their life, memories and comforts away little by little which can be extremely unnerving to the patient. They are simply losing control of their lives and minds one day at a time.
According to Alzheimer's Caregiver Resource.com there are seven different stages which have been noted by doctors. While some, the later stages, are very noticeable other stages can easily be overlooked. Here is a brief description of each stage.
1. Normal function is not actually a symptom but is the beginning of Alzheimer's and is often times missed due to the fact the disease has not developed into a "noticeable" problem. Patients, families as well as many general health providers miss these symptoms because the normal aging process mirrors the same small problems. It is important to realize just because you occasionally forget where you've put something or have occasionally forgotten an appointment, does not mean you have Alzheimer's. There are tests to help determine if Alzheimer's is really the problem. Tests for early detection of Alzheimer's may include, blood and urine tests, Neuropsychological testing, and a brain imaging scan (MRI) which can notably detect the problem of Alzheimer's.
2. Very mild cognitive decline appears with some mild memory loss which is noticeable but happens seldom and does not cause noticeable distress.
3. Mild cognitive decline is oftentimes the first actual diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is found with this stage because the patient is having noticeable problems with remembering what they have read, where they have put items and having the ability to remember names of people they should easily remember.
4. Moderate cognitive decline has obvious signs such as obvious loss of memory. Important events, remembering how to do simple tasks and the ability to use common sense is common. Often times at these stage patients have trouble remembering things which happened in their personal life and thus begin to become withdrawn even from those they are in contact with on a daily basis.
5. Moderately severe cognitive decline is very apparent. The patient may have trouble remembering their home address, the day of the week and even their maiden name yet they are still able to care for their personal needs such as feeding themselves and using the bathroom with little or no assistance.
6. Severe cognitive decline is often referred to as "mid-stage Alzheimer's". Restless sleep patterns occur often and even more noted memory loss is obvious. Family and friends see very obvious signs of Alzheimer's and often times feel helpless and at a loss as how to care for the patient because they feel they are "losing that person".
7. Very severe cognitive decline known as "late-stage Alzheimer's" makes the patient dependent on others for all their care. Patients experience incontinence of urine and bowels, lose the ability to speak and often even forget how to move. This stage of Alzheimer's is very devastating to family members due to the fact the patient often times does not recognize them and is unable to communicate.
In conclusion we are advised to see our Medical Doctor on a regular basis. If any of the above signs begin to appear talk to your doctor about them and try to get a diagnosis as early as possible. Hopefully someday soon Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed and treated easily.
Alzheimer's is a very stressful disease not only for the caregiver but extremely worrisome to the patient. It begins to take their life, memories and comforts away little by little which can be extremely unnerving to the patient. They are simply losing control of their lives and minds one day at a time.
According to Alzheimer's Caregiver Resource.com there are seven different stages which have been noted by doctors. While some, the later stages, are very noticeable other stages can easily be overlooked. Here is a brief description of each stage.
1. Normal function is not actually a symptom but is the beginning of Alzheimer's and is often times missed due to the fact the disease has not developed into a "noticeable" problem. Patients, families as well as many general health providers miss these symptoms because the normal aging process mirrors the same small problems. It is important to realize just because you occasionally forget where you've put something or have occasionally forgotten an appointment, does not mean you have Alzheimer's. There are tests to help determine if Alzheimer's is really the problem. Tests for early detection of Alzheimer's may include, blood and urine tests, Neuropsychological testing, and a brain imaging scan (MRI) which can notably detect the problem of Alzheimer's.
2. Very mild cognitive decline appears with some mild memory loss which is noticeable but happens seldom and does not cause noticeable distress.
3. Mild cognitive decline is oftentimes the first actual diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is found with this stage because the patient is having noticeable problems with remembering what they have read, where they have put items and having the ability to remember names of people they should easily remember.
4. Moderate cognitive decline has obvious signs such as obvious loss of memory. Important events, remembering how to do simple tasks and the ability to use common sense is common. Often times at these stage patients have trouble remembering things which happened in their personal life and thus begin to become withdrawn even from those they are in contact with on a daily basis.
5. Moderately severe cognitive decline is very apparent. The patient may have trouble remembering their home address, the day of the week and even their maiden name yet they are still able to care for their personal needs such as feeding themselves and using the bathroom with little or no assistance.
6. Severe cognitive decline is often referred to as "mid-stage Alzheimer's". Restless sleep patterns occur often and even more noted memory loss is obvious. Family and friends see very obvious signs of Alzheimer's and often times feel helpless and at a loss as how to care for the patient because they feel they are "losing that person".
7. Very severe cognitive decline known as "late-stage Alzheimer's" makes the patient dependent on others for all their care. Patients experience incontinence of urine and bowels, lose the ability to speak and often even forget how to move. This stage of Alzheimer's is very devastating to family members due to the fact the patient often times does not recognize them and is unable to communicate.
In conclusion we are advised to see our Medical Doctor on a regular basis. If any of the above signs begin to appear talk to your doctor about them and try to get a diagnosis as early as possible. Hopefully someday soon Alzheimer's disease can be diagnosed and treated easily.
Jill Grant is a wife, mother and grandmother who dearly loves her family. She is a substitute teacher who loves and cares for each of the children who touch her life. She feels they teach her more about life each day she spends with them. Jill has been married to her husband 42 wonderful years and gives him credit for showing her the true meaning of love and respect. Jill has recently developed a web site dedicated to and providing products to home health caregivers and their loved ones.
Please visit her at http://www.diaperingneeds.com.
Please visit her at http://www.diaperingneeds.com.
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