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Alzheimer's Disease Facts

Alzheimer's Disease Facts
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, language, orientation, mood, and other issues. Alzheimer's starts slowly and gets progressively worse, and is responsible for as much as 70% of the cases of dementia. Once a diagnosis is made, the life expectancy of a patient is between three to nine years. It is believed that approximately 70% of the risk factors for developing Alzheimer's is related to genetic factors, but having a history of depression, head trauma, or hypertension is believed to play a role as well. There is no known cure for Alzheimer's but there are some treatments available that may help improve or decrease symptoms temporarily.
Interesting Alzheimer's Disease Facts:
Alzheimer's disease was first described in 1906 by the German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer.
By 2015 it was estimated that 48 million people worldwide were suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease is most common among those over the age of 65. Roughly 6% of the global population of people over the age of 65 will develop Alzheimer's disease.
The disease process of Alzheimer's is divided into four stages.
The first stage of Alzheimer's disease is pre-dementia. In many cases the early symptoms are thought to be associated with stress or aging. During this stage short term memory loss may begin to appear, as well as problems with abstract thinking, apathy, attentiveness, flexibility, and depression.
The second stage of Alzheimer's disease is early stage Alzheimer's. During this stage a person may forget names of close friends and family, forgetfulness, confusion in non-familiar situations, and in many cases the symptoms are noticed by relatives or friends only.
The third stage of Alzheimer's disease is middle stage Alzheimer's. During this stage a person may have trouble remembering recent information, advancing confusion, sleep issues, and difficulty remembering who they are.
The fourth stage of Alzheimer's disease is late stage Alzheimer's. During this stage there is increased difficulty in thinking, and speaking, and conversations may be repeated. The person may also become paranoid, more anxious, or even abusive.
Some studies have suggested that lifestyle changes may play a part in reducing risk of developing Alzheimer's, such as diet, increasing intellectual activities, reducing cardiovascular risk, and the use of or avoidance of pharmaceutical products.
Individuals that spend time on activities such as reading, completing puzzles and playing board games, or playing a musical instrument may potentially reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's because they help to establish a cognitive reserve.
Physical activity is believed to help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, along with improving health and reducing many other disease risk factors.
Some studies have shown that consuming foods high in flavonoids may reduce Alzheimer's risk, including cocoa, red wine, tea, and caffeine.
The current treatment for those suffering from Alzheimer's disease includes pharmaceutical and psychosocial management, and caregiving.
As Alzheimer's disease progresses the brain physically shrinks, or atrophies. The first part to be affected is the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. This is why the first symptoms of the disease involves issues with memory.


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