Monday, 3 November 2008

recognize Alzhimers treatment


Alzhimers

Does the public understand, what it means to possess this terrible disease (Alzhimers disease)? Alzhimers disease impinges on approximately 5 million people in the U.S. Over time, Alzhimers disease slowly destroys a person's memory and ability to learn and carry out daily activities such as talking, eating, and going to the bathroom. As the disease progresses, individuals may also go through changes in personality and behavior. Unfortunately, there are no cures for Alzhimers disease and there is no way to predict how fast someone will progress through the stages of the disease. People who have Alzhimers , their brain starts toshrink and eventually, lose control over bodily functions. However, early Alzhimers diagnosis and treatment can slow down the progression of Alzhimers symptoms. If you or someone you are caring for is suffering from Alzhimers disease, you may want to talk with the doctor about a unique Alzhimers medication called Namenda® (memantine HCl)*. It works in an entirely different way than all of the other Alzhimers therapies on the market, and has been shown in clinical trials to safely and effectively treat moderate to severe Alzhimers disease. In addition, I wrote down a couple of signs that describe people who may have horrid disease.

• Misplaces valuable possessions; hides things or puts things away in strange places and then forgets where they are.

• Can no longer think logically or clearly. Can’t organize their own speaking or follow others’ logic. Can no longer follow written or oral instructions or a sequence of steps. Arithmetic and money problems escalate.

• Disconnected from reality. Does not recognize self in the mirror. May think that a television story is real.

• Cannot walk, stand, sit up, or hold up their head without assistance. Falls frequently if not assisted or propped well. Bedridden.

Furthermore, the FDA has approved five medications to treat Alzhimers. None of these medications can stop the disease from progressing, but they can slow the deterioration and help lessen the symptoms associated with the disease. For mild to moderate Alzhimers, four drugs are approved. Razadyne, Exelon, Aricept and Cognex are all cholinesterase inhibitors. They can delay the symptoms and may prevent them from becoming worse. These drugs stop the breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical which is thought to affect memory and thinking. Each drug works in a similar way, though some patients may tolerate one more than another. The FDA has also approved Aricept for severe Alzhimers, and Namenda is also used in these cases. It controls the glutamate, a brain chemical that can kill off brain cells. Because Namenda has a different function, doctors may prescribe Aricept with it.

Although the FDA has approved the five aforementioned medications for the different stages of Alzhimers, they have some mild side effects. The cholinesterase inhibitors used for mild-to-moderate Alzhimers have few such side effects when properly introduced to the patient's system, but common ones are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Doctors prescribe low dosages of the medicine and slowly increase the dosage until reaching an optimal level. This way, side effects tend to be mild and disappear in a few weeks. Namenda, the medicine used for severe Alzhimers, is easy to administer and has few side effects, though some patients may experience dizziness, headaches, constipation and slight confusion when first starting the medication. There is little drug interaction with Namenda, which is a good thing, since the elderly usually take a number of different medications. Namenda also delays the progression of the disease.

There may be some misconceptions and even some difficulty in accepting the situation of this disease whether it is on the side of the patient or from the people around him or her. For instances such as these, the right counseling and guidance is needed as part of the proper Alzhimers treatment. These people did not choose to have this disease, so they should be treated with the same amount of respect as used for others.

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Thursday, 9 October 2008

Holidays with Alzhimers Disease


Alzhimers

The holiday season is an opportunity to spend time with the people you love especially with who have Alzhimers. When someone you care deeply about has Alzhimers disease and you wish to include them in the festivities, it's often best to keep celebrations simple. Concentrate on enjoying the time you spend together. Don't feel that you need to maintain every family tradition or participate in every family event. Here are some suggestions to help you and your loved one with Alzhimers to have a safe and happy season together in spite of the obstacles.

In the midst of putting up decorations, rearranging furniture and putting up Christmas trees, the person with Alzhimers will do better in an environment that is as consistent as possible. Try not to move the furniture more than absolutely necessary, and watch for danger spots, like electrical cords or throw rugs that could cause a fall. Don't have candles burning in places that could easily be brushed up against with clothing. Avoid using blinking lights or decorations that look edible. Use your loved one's best-loved decorations to spark memories and increase their ability to enjoy the festivities. Play familiar Christmas songs, and fix traditional foods that Alzhimers patients will enjoy.
Have young children play in a separate room to keep noise levels down and avoid causing your loved one to feel horror or nervous. Alzhimers patients pick up on the moods of others around them, and the atmosphere needs to feel serene and peaceful for them to enjoy visitors. Have just a few guests at one time, and avoid large crowds of people. Name tags are very helpful and will keep your loved one from feeling frustrated and embarrassed when they can't remember people they should know. Have a quiet room that the Alzhimers patient is accustomed to in case they feel overwhelmed by too much noisy activity. If you notice signs of increased confusion or agitation, assist them to their quiet place to rest for a while.

Christmas stories from years gone by will help draw your loved one in and keep them involved in the celebration. It's much easier for people with Alzhimers Disease to remember things that happened long ago than something that happened yesterday, so recall! Try simple tasks to occupy the time, like frosting cookies, stamping envelopes for cards, or making simple junk. Look at catalogs together and help your special one to order gifts for people they care about. Take time to look at photo albums and talk about happy holiday times together. This could be just what Alzhimers patients need to reconnect and appreciate the holidays, creating more memories that you will hold dear for years to come.

Suggested gifts for Alzhimers Patients:-

1. the early stage of Alzhimers or related dementia include: simple games; tickets to a concert, musical, circus, or ball game; window shopping at a mall; taxi charge account for visits to friends; frozen, homemade meals; photo album or collage highlighting major events of the person’s life; fruit basket or flowers.
2. For the moderately impaired stage, the following gift ideas are suggested: simple to manage clothing; materials to sort; box of costume jewellery; basket of yarn or fabric; music, such as old songs and religious music; taped religious service; and short car trips to see Christmas lights.
3. Suggestions for the severely impaired stage include: recordings of old music; stuffed animals or lifelike baby doll; video tapes of soothing sights and sounds; hand/body lotions and massages; pet visits; memory books, and knee warmers.
As you can see, it need not cost a lot to give an Alzhimers patient a delightful gift. May you enjoy giving to your Alzhimers patient loved one this year, and may he or she find delight in simple gifts filled with love. I wish you all the best holiday season ever!
For reader’s information, there are many things Alzhimers patients can do to take care of themselves:
• Take stock of emotions, health, stamina, resources, time and priorities
• Make a list of "want to do" versus "can do"
• Make health a top priority (eat right, sleep well and laugh much)
• Seek help with holiday errands
• Shop with other people and limit shopping time
• Take time for naps, massages and quiet time (even just for a few minutes)
• Be careful with sharp objects like scissors and knives (patients who bleed easily)
• Avoid negative thoughts about what doesn't get done
• Let go of being a perfectionist
• Think of the holiday season as a joyful time
• Spend time with people who are loving and positive
• Exercise lightly
• Take it easy (pace themselves)

P/S: Sorry for interruption..look this video about Alzhimers Patients!



Thank You for Watching this video!


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Tuesday, 16 September 2008

The ways deal with Patient or a Parent with Alzhimers


Alzhimers

Watching a loved one suffer with Alzhimers can be an emotionally and physically daunting task. Alzhimers is a disease that causes significant and often swift brain deterioration normally in adults 65-70 years or older. Alzhimers is one of the most devastating and degrading diseases for anyone to have to deal with. It is hard on the individual who has been diagnosed with it, but it is also hard for family members and caregivers. Especially if the caregiver is very close to the diagnosed patient. Often times, it is a daughter or son taking care of their parents. When the patient is in the advanced stages of Alzhimers, it is extremely difficult for patient, caregiver, and also the whole family. If you suspect Alzhimers disease in a oved one, the following steps will give you some helpful tips in dealing with this disease.

The very first thing you should do is make an appointment for them with a neurologist. They will perform mental status tests, review family history, and perform a neurological exam that will bring about a proper diagnosis. They will more than likely, perform an MRI on the brain (brain image) as well. It is very important that you actually go into the doctor's office with your loved one. Your loved one will most likely forget what they are supposed to tell them. So, it's important you go in with them and make any necessary notes and make sure everything is discussed. Once a proper diagnosis is obtained, the neurologist will prescribe medication. Two very well-known medications are wise choices...those are "Aricept" and "Namenda." These medications will not reverse the condition, but will help stabilize it.

Once your loved one is on the proper medication, it is highly advised to start attending a support group for Alzhimers. For you AND your loved one. There are many, many support groups available. You can check with their doctor, and you can also do a search online. You also must never blame the person. It's common to not understand how someone can't remember what you've told them 15 times today. The best example I've heard is that the brain is like a broken extension cord. It works if it's laying a certain way. Move it and it shorts out and loses the electricity. Move it back and it works again. This is how the brain of an Alzhimers patient works.

If your loved one is just in the first stages of Alzhimers, it is advised to keep them as active as possible. Daily exercise helps keep the oxygen flowing to the brain. Word find and puzzle books also can help keep the brain active or you can buy the book "The 36 Hour Day" by Nancy Mace and Peter Rabins. This is a MUST read for any care giver of someone with memory loss. By the way, if you are the care giver, then hire a professional care giver to come in once or twice a week to give you a break. Immediately see your doctor. There's medication to slow down the progression of Alzhimers. Be respectful of the patient when you take them. You may need to talk to the doctor in private before hand.

If you even slightly suspect this disease in your loved one, please don't hesitate and put it off. Take action and make that first step and make an appointment. That first step will play a huge part in making life better for you and your loved one.


from "Scrubs Movie - Alzhimers" ..don't make fun with alzhimers patient!


Follow these simple rules to make day to day life easier:


1. Label drawers and cabinets to help them find things easier.
2. Don't change things. Keep the decor, furniture location, etc. constant.
3. If something's bothering the person... fixes it! My Mom asks me if the clock was right 5 times in about 60 minutes. Finally I said "You know what it isn't right. What does your watch say?" She told me and I adjusted the clock by 2 minutes and said, "There you go. I fixed it for you. You were right it was off. Now it's right." She never asked me again.
4. Keep meals nutritious yet simple.
5. Don't have people over in large groups. Instead have smaller groups more often.
6. Reduce stress and anxiety. These things increase symptoms and repeatability.
7. Even though the roles may be reversed, NEVER forget they're still your parent. Always treat them with respect and love.
8. Plan activities like planting flowers, making necklaces, scrap booking, looking through photo albums, reading together, going to the zoo, etc.
9. Use a dry erase board to write the month, day, and year. You may want to also write key things to remember for the day like "Jimmy is coming to visit today" or "Oprah comes on at 2:00 today on channel 5". What ever you do keep it simple and short.

Alzhimers


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Sunday, 14 September 2008

How to Caution for a Loved One along with Alzhimers


Alzhimers

Caring for someone with Alzhimers is a complicated job. It can be overpowering, annoying and unsatisfactory. Your loved one's abilities will transform as the disease progresses. Her feelings can be impulsive and sometimes even aggressive. But she's still someone with needs. She needs your help, carry and feel affection for. You just need to be
• Endurance
• Sense of humor.
• Consideration.
• Rest, if you can get it.
• Support group.

Firstly, change the way you be in touch with him as the disease progresses. You will have to learn to grip her during all three phases of the disease: when she's in disagreement, when she's aggressive or suspicious and when she's dying. Be calm and relaxing.

Try not to take it personally. There may be times you will be vocally abused no matter how kind you are. I find it is more about the person who has the disease than about me and sometimes the only thing you can do is to walk away. Take a deep breath, ah. When you go back to your patient, friend or loved one, do so with a nice big smile and say "hello, how are you today?" Or you’re greeting of choice. Whatever the prior situation was is now forgotten. As I see it, this is the only good thing to come of memory loss.

Then, set up a scheduled routine for your day even though you are too busy with your works, allowing time for bathing, using the toilet, dressing, eating, having fun and socializing. Scheduling visitors will make it a fun activity, giving him something to look forward to. You also need to be patience and be positive. Alzhimers patients will respond to your body language. They thrive on your personal contact. They want you to have a word to them and touch them. This is a human being just like you, the difference is, this person has a disease. All the memories may be gone from the brain, but this is still a person who once lived a normal productive life and should be respected, as we all would hope to be. Try not to down talk, especially in front of the person. Their memory is impaired, not their hearing.

Lastly, discover a support group. If you can't get away find one online. I know you have a computer because you are reading this article.



Portrait of an Alzhimers Patient

Tips:

•If you’re dear one becomes violent often or wanders off, medication may help. Talk to his doctor.
•Use optimistic reinforcement whenever she accomplishes something.

For your resource:

- http://www.alz.org/
- http://www.helpguide.org/
- http://www.carepathways.com/ALZr.cfm

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Thursday, 11 September 2008

Know how to drugs cure Alzhimers Diease?


Alzhimers

Although there is no strong evidence that any way of life change can avoid Alzhimers disease, studies recommend that certain behaviors may help protect against mental decline. In particular, medications and lifestyle choices that keep the heart may be of specific importance. A variety of preventive drugs are under research, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory therapies. How you suppose that the drug can be as healing for people with Alzhimers? But this factual reality! Believe it or not..Let’s start with first ways to prevent Alhimers Disease

1) Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) as Prevention

In 2004, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) halted a large clinical trial that was investigating the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in preventing Alzhimers disease. While previous data had confirmed that NSAIDs were not helpful in treating AD (refer to Alzhimers Disease), research continued to explore these drugs' potential preventive benefits.

The Alzheimer's Disease Anti-Inflammatory Prevention Trial (ADAPT) investigated whether long-term use of naproxen (Aleve) or celecoxib (Celebrex) could decrease the risk of developing AD. The NIH suspended this trial due to evidence that the NSAID naproxen was associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events among participants. (The evidence is not uniform; other research has not concerned naproxen as a cardiovascular risk.) No adverse effects appeared during this trial for the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. However, safety concerns about this drug had been raised in other trials. Investigators did not consider that celecoxib's potential benefits outweighed its risks.

2) Heart-Protective Medications and Behaviors

The same lifestyle and medical choices that reduce risk factors for heart disease and diabetes may be important for reducing the risk for Alzheimer's disease. The following are some heart-protective medications that may also protect the brain.
Blood Pressure Drugs. Because high blood pressure is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s, researchers have been studying whether blood pressure medication can reduce this risk. In a 2006 study of patients who took high blood pressure drugs, researchers found that potassium-sparing diuretics reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 70%. Beta-blockers and certain calcium channel blockers also helped to a lesser extent. ACE inhibitors appeared to offer no protection.
Statins. Statins are common drugs used to lower cholesterol levels. In past years, a number of studies reported a significantly lower risk for Alzheimer's disease in patients who took statins. However, newer studies have failed to prove that statins can help prevent Alzheimer's disease. In these recent studies, large numbers of elderly people had their dementia evaluated at baseline and then monitored over several years. The results indicated that statin use did not predict onset of AD. In the meantime, the NIH is conducting a clinical trial to investigate whether simvastatin can slow the progression of Alzhimers Disease.
Male and Female Hormone Replacement Therapies

Hormone Replacement Therapy. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been studied for years for health effects after menopause, including its effect on mental decline. A number of studies, including a major 2003 analysis, have found no differences in mental performance and no protection from Alzhimers disease in women taking HRT compared to non-users. The 2003 trial, called the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS), enrolled 4,500 women over 65 years of age. The WHIMS study showed that older postmenopausal women who took combination HRT (estrogen plus progestin) had twice the risk of developing dementia than similarly aged women who received placebo pills. In addition to increasing the risk for dementia, (including Alzhimers disease), combination HRT failed to prevent the development of mild cognitive impairment. Based on these results, the researchers from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommended against prescribing combination hormone therapy to older women for maintaining or improving cognitive function. The NIA continued to research whether estrogens-only therapy could prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Results released in 2004 indicated that women ages 65 years and older who took estrogens-only HRT had a slightly increased risk of developing dementia.
Testosterone. Some testosterone converts to estrogen, which may be why older men appear to have a lower risk for Alzheimer's disease than older women. Animal studies have suggested that testosterone may help reduce levels of beta amyloid. There is also some evidence that low testosterone levels may be a particular risk factor in men with the APOE4 gene. Some experts believe that giving testosterone to elderly men and combinations of testosterone and estrogen to older women may prove to be protective. Side effects of testosterone in women include increased body hair, acne, fluid retention, anxiety, and depression. Long term benefits or serious adverse effects are unknown.

DHEA. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a male-like hormone in the body that declines with age. Some evidence suggests that it may help reduce mental decline in older women, but not in older men. Studies are under way. The hormone may, however, reduce HDL (the so-called good cholesterol) when taken in higher doses and its effect on cancer-cell growth is unknown. Some evidence indicates that high levels may increase cancer risk. In any case, DHEA is not regulated and brands vary widely in their content.

We will be continue in our next lesson that include Dietary Factors and other Health Behaviours......


P/S : I want to ask for forgiveness meant for my editorial before since some readers don’t empathize about what article for. So, I wish that you will get pleasure from this piece of writing.Thanks


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Tuesday, 9 September 2008

Preventing Alzhimers disease!


Alzhimers

When one bay the after years of one’s life, systems will apathetic bottom ward and basic will weaken. This is the time back you will not be able to do the things that you acclimated to do adore or if you were still able to do it, you would not be able to do it with the aforementioned acceleration and backbone as you acclimated to before.

That is the sad actuality about aging. Things will apathetic bottom ward and eventually, little by little, disappear.

But that is not consistently the case. For some people, the crumbling actions can acceleration up abnormally in the breadth of the brain.

This is what scientists alarm Alzhimers.

It is a degenerative and accelerating ache that targets the brain, decidedly the areas that accord with acquirements and memory. Although it generally affects bodies over the age of 80, there are some who are diagnosed with the botheration as aboriginal as their 40s and 50s. There are additionally attenuate cases back Alzheimer’s attacks at backward 20s.

Alzhimers Ache is characterized by a accelerating amnesiac accident and disability to focus absorption on one thing. Bodies with this ache will balloon their names, their addresses and will cease to admit their husbands, accouterments and bodies who are abutting to them.

When it is on its after stages, accent problems may additionally appear because of the disability of the being to anamnesis words that are adapted for what they are activity to say. The ache may additionally after-effects to behavioural changes because of accelerating anamnesis loss. There are some patients who don’t bethink how to go about their familiar functions such as eating, sleeping or abrasion their teeth. Some may alike balloon how to breathe.

This is the acumen why best old bodies alarming this disease. It can absolutely be debilitating, annexation you of your activity and generally times your admired one.
Although annihilation has been accurate yet, some studies appearance that accomplishing brainy tasks can absolutely apathetic bottom ward the progression of the disease. For instance, patients who adulation to acknowledgment puzzles and comedy brainy amateur like chess are slower in their progression compared to added patients with the aforementioned amount and case of Alzhimers. Because of this, some scientists accept that Alzhimers can be prevented through the use of the brainy process.

Below are some means to anticipate Alzhimers from clearing in.

Learn article new
Old age is not acumen to stop acquirements new things. You can apprentice an array of things, dancing, cooking, singing, a new language, crafts, the arts. There are so abounding things to accept from. Don the things that you accept not done before, things that you never thought, you’ll be doing. Your age should not be albatross to the things that you appetite to do.

In accession to adorning your life, acquirements article new affords a beginning claiming for your brains. This way, your brainy processes will be acclimated already again. This keeps the academician beef in appearance and sharp.
Play apperception games

This is not to say that you should be artful and plotting, active the baiter for the associates of your family. Apperception amateur actuality accredit to the tamer kind, crossword puzzles, sudoku. These are means to acuminate those brainy abilities and memory. This additionally allows you to convenience or be accustomed with words and things already again, abbreviation the adventitious of you apathy them.
My suggestion, just always give your full attention in all things. No matter that it is big things or small and don’t eat crap foods.

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Sunday, 7 September 2008

Actions for people through Alzhimers


ALZHIMERS

Alzhimers is one disease that people horror to be diagnosed with. Who can blame them?

It is one of the most debilitating diseases known to man and it affects not only one area or one system but all. Of course, since it is a progressive disease, effects on the various systems of the body does not happen at one time.

As the disease progress, the effects become wide-range.

Alzhimers disease is perhaps the best-known disease under Dementia, a disorder that affects the mental processes. It is characterized by the progressive loss of memory that may lead to inattentions and inability to focus at a job, language problems and behavioural changes.

Patients with Alzhimers disease for instance may initially find themselves at a loss for words or unable to remember some bits of facts that happened the day before. But as the days progress, they will find themselves starting to forget important things like their addresses, their age and sometimes even their names.

Patients who are in the later stages of Alzhimers will start to forget how to do routinely things like brushing their teeth, taking a bath or using their utensils. Some may not speak altogether because they will regularly forget the words that they should be using or saying. Some will also behave differently, brought on by the frustration of not being able to do the things that they used to do. Often times, patients at the later stages will become dependents, acting like children who do not know what to do with themselves.

Although there are medicines that can slow down the progress of the disease especially if discovered early on, there is no solution to the problem. Once it settles into the system, it would be there for life and there is no chance of it ever disappearing.
Like medicines, there are activities that according to scientists can slow down the progression. Below are just some of them:

1) Read

Something as simple as reading the newspaper each day and keeping your mind informed with the latest news is already something that can avoid the disease from settling in. Just make it a point to use your brain. Be an analytical reader and elevate questions and do not just absorb the texts and then forget about it. Being an active reader and allowing your imagination free control will go a long way for exercising the brain. In fact, studies have shown that people who are in love with to read are less likely to be diagnosed with Alzhimers.

2) Answer puzzles

Another mental exercise that people with Alzhimers do to help slow down the process is to answer puzzles such as word hunts, cross words and even Sudoku. The more that you use your brain, the better will be your prognosis. Answering word games will also make sure that you rehearsal words and increase your vocabulary, making it less likely for you to forget words and language.

3) Attend classes

Being old does not mean that you cannot learn. Patients with Alzhimers should make it a point to learn something new. This will exercise their brains. A creative task such as arts and crafts is another way to tap into the brain’s resources without tiring them out. Learning a new thing also gives people with Alzhimers the sense of purpose that they have lost since they were diagnosed with the disease.

Beside that, we need to put more consideration on them because there are no treat aside from with our love and concerned.

For reader’s information:-

Alzhimers disease is not just a disease of the elderly. Early-onset Alzhimers accounts for up to 10% of Alzhimers cases and may strike people in their 30's, 40's or 50's. Although the person with the early-onset form of Alzhimers will experience similar symptoms as do all people with the disease, they may have to deal with some unique issues.


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Friday, 5 September 2008

Who are you? Alzhimers symptoms

From the German psychiatrist who first diagnosed the disease, Alzhimers is a fatal disease that has both no known cause and cure. There are treatments that help prevent the disease to develop into its complete form. Plus medications already exists which could assist patients to manage their agitation, depression, hallucinations or delusions which could manifest during the later stages of the disease.

There are a number of symptoms which help diagnose the disease. The most prominent of which is memory loss. What seems to be a simple lapse in memory could be the start of Alzhimers disease. Loss of memory in Alzhimers is manifested from the more than unusual fluctuating forgetfulness to short-term memory loss.

Later, the patient will start to forget familiar things and well-known skills. They will start to forget names, objects, and persons even those that are close to them. Alzhimers memory loss isoften accompanied by aphasia, disorientation and disinheriting. Aside from forgetfulness and amnesia, some refer to Alzhimers related memory loss as memory decay, memory decline, or memory impairment (Louring, 1999).

One, however, should not conclude that all memory loss is caused by Alzhimers disease. There are two basic causes of memory loss, namely normal or age related memory loss and the abnormal type. It is normal that middle age and older people begin to forget a number of things. Their ability to remember is often times measured on a standardized scale.

If their memory scores fall within the designated cut-off, their memory loss is due to normal and age-related causes. Meanwhile, if they fail to pass the scores it means that their memory loss is caused by not mere age-related reasons but by abnormal, or age-inappropriate, memory disease or impairment instead. One, therefore, needs to let professional medical workers to isolate and determine if he/she got Alzhimers disease.

Aside from the early symptom of memory loss, Alzhimers disease at the early stage could also change the patient's behavior. And as the disease develops, the patient will loose more and more control over body functions such as affecting the way the person thinks and respond. With the effects on the brain's cognitive functions, the patient will have trouble talking, will find skilled movements troublesome to do and hard to accomplish, and will start slowing down in terms of movements.

The patient will become indecisive and will start having trouble in decision-making processes and planning stages of human activities. These losses of memory and cognitive functions are related to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. The two lobes are becoming disconnected from the limbic system due to the disease.



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Wednesday, 3 September 2008

Alzhimers , not just an old man's disease

Alzhimers

Alzhimers disease, we've all perceive sound of it but do we truly understand the disease? According to statistics, there are about 350,000 new cases of Alzhimers disease diagnosed each year in the United States.

Doing the math, you could have more than 4.5 million Americans by the year 2050 that would be affected by the disease. A grimmer outlook indicates that by 2025, there will be 34 million people worldwide Alzhimers disease.

Let's tackle the issue step by step. Alzhimers disease is a known brain disorder that is progressive and irreversible. It is still not known where and how the disorder develops in the human brain neither is there any sure fire cure for the disease. What is known by medical scientists is that the disease attacks slowly.

It takes its time, gnawing slowly at the victims' minds stealing memories and causing deterioration of brain functions.
Alzhimers is a disease that causes irreversible dementia and is always fatal.

It was German psychiatrist Dr. Alois Alzheimer who first identified the disease. At first he noted the disease's symptoms as "amnestic writing disordear," however when later studies were conducted Dr. Alzheimer found out that the symptoms were more than ordinary memory loss. It was far worse.

Dr. Alzheimer found the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain. The good doctor presented his findings which were accepted by the medical community. And soon enough, by 1910 the name of the disease was accepted and became known as Alzhimers disease.

The most common early symptoms of the disease are confusion, being inattentive and have problems with orientation, personality changes, experiencing short-term memory loss, language difficulties and mood swings. Probably the most obvious and striking early symptom of Alzheimer's is loss of short term memory.

At fist the victim will exhibits minor forgetfulness, but as the disease slowly progress he/she will start to forget a lot of things. However, older memories are oftentimes left untouched. Because of this, patients with Alzhimers will start to be less energetic and spontaneous. As the disease progress, they will have trouble learning new things and reacting on outside stimuli which gets them all confused and causes them to exercise poor judgment. This is considered Stage 1 of the disease.

At Stage 2 the patient will now need assistance in performing complicated tasks. Speech and understanding is evidently slower. At this stage, Alzhimers victims are already aware that they have the disease which causes a whole lot of problems like depression and restlessness.

At this point, only the distant past can be recalled and recent events are immediately forgotten. Patients will have difficulty telling time, date and where they are.

The final stage is of course the hardest, both for the patient and their family. At Stage 3 the patient will start to lose control of a lot of bodily functions like simple chewing and swallowing. He/she will start getting the needed nutrients through a tube. At Stage 3, the patient will no longer remember basically anyone.
They will lose bowel and bladder control and they will become vulnerable to third party infections and diseases like pneumonia.
Once the patient become bedridden, things will only get worse. Respiratory problems will become more terrible.

It is apparent that the patient will need constant care. At this point, the most one can do is to make sure that the patient stays as comfortable as possible. At the terminal stage, death is inevitable.

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Monday, 1 September 2008

The Seven Words of Warning Signs of Alzhimers Disease



The Seven Word of Warning Signs of Alzhimers Disease

The point of this list is too aware the public to the early warning signs of one of the most devastating disorders affecting older people — Alzhimers disease. If someone has numerous or even most of these symptoms, it does not mean they definitely have the disease. It does mean they should be systematically examined by a medical specialist trained in evaluating memory disorders, such as a neurologist or a psychiatrist, or by a comprehensive memory disorder clinic, with an entire team of expert facts about memory problems.

The seven words of warning signs of Alzhimers disease are:

1. Asking the same question over and over again.

2. Repeat the same story, word for word, again and again.

3. Forgetting how to cook, or how to make repairs, or how to have fun cards — activities that were previously done with ease and regularity.

4. Losing one's capability to pay bills or balance one's checkbook.

5. Getting lost in familiar environment, or misplacing household objects.

6. Neglecting to bathe, or wearing the same clothes over and over again, while insisting that they have taken a bath or that their clothes are still clean.

7. Relying on someone else, such as a spouse, to make decisions or answer questions they previously would have handled themselves.


WebMD Public Information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health



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Friday, 29 August 2008

mind cell obliteration - Alzhimers (Altzheimers)

Alzhimers

As the recall gradually fails due to Altzheimers, many repetitive Alzhimers questions, anxiety and on occasion a distorted vision of reality can make the day by day living complicated for friends and family. At the same time, seen from the perception of the tolerant, it is frequently best if he can hang about at home, living in his usual atmosphere. The substitution between patient and family can be very easier said than done.
Many couples, where one get-together has Alzhimers, will express how they little by little move away from their normal social contacts and network as the syndrome progresses. A causative factor is the patients feeling of being an unknown. The circumstance can lead to struggle not only for the patient, but also for close own flesh and blood. It is essential to try and clash against this growth, to make an effort and keep community networks and the potential of incentive this offers.
After a few years where the disease shows only as a memory dilemma, Alzhimers will progress and affect the talent to read sensory impersonation and the gift to act in dissimilar normal situations. The patient will have an exertion administering the bills, interpretation the newspaper, watching TV or later on, to do anything. The need for rally round from close relatives or carers will increase as the disease progresses. There can also be hallucinations where the patient hears or sees a thing that doesn’t exist.
The circumstance can not be treated today but there is medicine existing to extravagance some of the symptoms. Innermost cases, Altzheimers patients can stay in their house but the condition will gradually get inferior and the patient will find it more and more difficult to interpret signals from the near world. Sooner or later it becomes hard to eat, even if a big shot is there to lend a hand and in the end, the body is so destabilized that it will not be able to keep up the imperative functions any longer.

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Tuesday, 26 August 2008

Alzhimers disease history!

Origins unknown, the battle with Alzhimers continues

One could trace back the history of Alzhimers disease from a presentation and lecture made by a German psychiatrist in 1906 during 37th Meeting of Southwest German Psychiatrists held in Tübingen.

Dr. Alois Alzheimer presented his findings on a woman who had died after years of having memory problems and confusion.
When Dr. Alzheimer autopsied the patient's brain, he found thick deposits of neuritic plaques outside and around the nerve cells. He also found a lot of twisted bands of fibers or neurofibrillary tangles inside the nerve cells.

Today, medical specialists need to find the presence of the same plaques and tangles at autopsy in order to have a conclusive diagnosis that Alzhimers's disease indeed caused the disease. And due to this lecture and achievement in research and studies, the medical community has bestowed the honor of naming the disease after Dr. Alzheimer.

However, Dr. Alzheimer's work only signaled the start of years of medical research and studies which could only resolve the mysteries of the disease by so much. Up until now, Alzhimers's disease has still unknown origin and remains to have no cure. At first, the diagnosis of Alzhimers's disease was limited for individuals between the ages of 45-65 since the symptoms of pre-senile dementia due to the histopathologic process are more common and prominent during this age.

However, during the 1970s and early 1980s, the term Alzhimers's disease began to be used to refer to patients of all ages that manifest the same symptoms.

Statistics show that around 350,000 new cases of Alzhimers's disease are being diagnosed each year. It is estimated that by 2050, there are 4.5 million Americans afflicted by the disease. Recent studies have shown that there is an increase risk of contracting and developing Alzhimers as one grows older.

It has been reported that 5 percent of Americans between the ages of 65 to 74 suffer from Alzhimers disease. Also, half of those in the 85 years and older age group are more likely to have the disease.

Generics have also been seen as a factor in the development of the disease. Scientists have found out that mutations on chromosomes 9 and 19 have been associated with the later stages of Alzhimers. However, not everyone that manifests the mutations results to having the disease. Up until now, the relationship between genetics and late-onset Alzhimers is still a grey area.

Meanwhile, other research have associated trauma as a factor that increases the risk of acquiring the disease. There are also evidences which suggest that lack of exercise increases the risk factor of Alzheimer's. It is important to avoid high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels folate in order to decrease the risk of developing the disease.

There are basically three stages of Alzhimers's disease. Stage 1 or Mild Stage is the early of the disease. At this stage patients become less energetic and will experience slight memory loss. Often times, the symptoms at this stage are either go unnoticed or are ignored as but trivial or normal occurrences.

At Stage 2 or Moderate stage, the patient needs to be assisted in some complicated tasks and memory loss is no highly noticeable. The final stage is the severest stage. Because the disease already progresses too far this point, the patient is unable to perform simple tasks and will lose the ability to walk or eat without help.

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Sunday, 24 August 2008

What Exactly is Alzhimers?


Alzhimers

As uncommon as the name of the disease sounds, its prevalence and incidence rates are not. In fact, almost four million people in the United States are affected by this problem. All can be affected, men or women, across all social status and economic position in life.

Alzhimers is a progressive and degenerative problem under the umbrella of diseases called dementia. It is characterized by disorientation and impaired memory. It is apparently caused by an attack in the brain, affecting one’s memory, thinking skills and judgment. Most patients will experience a change in language ability, in the way they use their mental processes and of course their behavior.

While anybody can be affected by this problem, only those that are older than age 65 experience the lagging in their thinking skills. Still, there are some who gets Alzhimers even when they are just 30 years old but these cases are very rare and can only account for a small percentage of the total number of cases. One out of 10 people over the age 65 has Alzhimers and nearly half of these patients are over 85 years old. In a national survey conducted in the United States, almost 19 million Americans have one family member who suffers from this dreaded problem.

In addition to old age, family history of dementia can also predispose someone to the disease. This is because Alzhimers is said to be caused by a problem in the genetic mutations. Still, when you study the cases, Alzhimers is commonly the result of a host of other factors besides genes. In fact, environmental factors such as hobbies and mental pursuits are things that can help prevent the onset of the problem.

What is difficult with Alzhimers is the fact that its symptoms are basically the same with ordinary signs of old age. At the beginning, there will be some memory loss. The person with Alzhimers will also experience confusion and disorientation even with things that they are used to doing. The trick is to make sure that one can recognize what a normal memory loss is against something of Alzheimer’s caliber.

Often, there will be a gradual memory loss. They will find it hard to read or to write or to think clearly. After which they will experience a decline in the ability to perform tasks that are already automatic and routinary. Believe it or not, in cases that are already in the terminal stage, the patient may even forget how to brush their teeth or how to use a spoon and fork, something that is really pretty basic with a lot of people.

This is one example of the difference of Alzhimers from ordinary memory loss. Forgetfulness will not affect tasks that are routinary. There will also be difficulty in learning new things and in memorizing things. Some patients may even forget the language that they are speaking with while others will no longer recognize their family. Personality will change in terms of the way they communicate with other people and the way they behave.

There is actually no change in personality per se but because of the problems in their memory, they may appear aloof and suspicious perhaps because they cannot recognize the people that they know before. Some may even become extremely fearful and passive for the simple fact that they cannot remember you. As the disease worsens, the patient will then become so incapable of taking care of themselves that they will require help even in eating and in sleeping.

Alzhimers

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