Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia that causes complications in behavior, memory and thinking. Dementia is persistent mental disorder and different intellectual abilities caused by injury or brain disease that are serious enough to interfere with one’s daily tasks and are characterized by impaired reasoning, memory disorders, and personality changes. Alzheimer’s symptoms develop slowly and worsen over time. It is a progressive disease where memory loss is mild in the early stages but later progresses to severe cases of metal disorder and death (Henning & Schubert, 2003). It is chief to point out that Alzheimer is not a normal process of aging though its greatest risk is increasing age. Another fact is that there is no known cure but research and treatment for symptoms. The treatment does not stop it from progressing but momentarily slows the worsening conditions of the symptoms and improves the patient’s quality of life as well as their caregivers (Gidley & Shears, 1987). Research studies aim at finding better treatment methods, preventing the development, and delaying the onset of the disease.
The precise cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not known though there are a number of conditions thought to increase its development including; family history, increasing age, lifestyle conditions relating to cardiovascular disease, and severe head injuries. Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain and as it progresses; proteins build up in the brain forming plaques and tangles (Carlson, 2011). The plaques and tangles result in connection loss between nerve cells leading to the death of the cells and loss of brain tissue. There is also shortage of vital brain chemical which helps in transmitting signals around the nervous system. Brain cells are dependent on each other and require coordination for effective communication. The disruption of one part of the brain results in the challenges associated with mental disorders (Carlson, 2011). The damage to the cells is irreversible and causes changes to the brain and its functionality. Plaques build up in the spaces between nerve cells while tangles are twisted fibers in cells.
Aging is a contributing factor to the development of plaques and tangles among most people. However, for individuals’ suffering from Alzheimer’s the development is amplified and is in a predictable pattern initially affecting the areas important for memory. The damage to the brain starts earlier on before other cognitive challenges can be identified. The cause of Alzheimer’s is different from one person to the other (Zarka & Heterotopiske, 2011). Genetic mutation can be noted in early cases while environmental and lifestyle factors greatly vary. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s are more apparent late from its onset and the gene involved is the Apo lipoprotein E (APOE). The gene increases the risk and is also linked to the earlier commencement of the disease. A small percentage of the people represent the group where Alzheimer’s develops early on in life due to an inherited gene. Health is another contributing factor; vascular conditions like high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity relate to the decline of cognitive ability (Carlson, 2011; Hennig & Schubert, 2003).
The earliest and most common symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is the trouble in remembering information that is newly learnt. This includes the difficulty of learning new information and recalling recent events (Carlson, 2011). The initial damage of the brain in Alzheimer’s is to the part of the brain referred as hippocampus which is central for the day to day memory. The affected person may forget appointments, lose items in the house, get lost in familiar places, struggle finding words in conversations, and forgetting names. The challenges then develop to other aspects of perception, communication, thinking and reasoning; orientation, language, concentration, and visuopatial skills.
It is normal for our brain to change with age as the rest of our body. However, severe cases of memory loss and confusion are a sign that brain cells are damaged. Changes in the brain affect the part where learning processes occurs and results in the challenge of remembering information. The disease then progresses through the brain and leads to other symptoms such as mood and behavior change due to confusion; unfounded suspicions about caregivers and family members; disorientation; difficulty in doing daily activities like walking, speaking and swallowing; and severe memory loss (Zarka & Heterotopiske, 2011). Other symptoms include depression, irritability and anxiousness. Most individuals will be withdrawn and lose interest in their hobbies and general activities. Individuals suffering from this condition are not able to recognize that they have a problem. Family members and friends are better placed in noting the signs and symptoms.
Support for daily activities is required for persons with later stages of Alzheimer’s disease since they develop delusions and hallucinations. Victims are also characterized by unusual behaviors that are out of character such as agitation, restlessness, repetition, disturbed sleep patterns and aggressiveness (Gidley & Shears, 1987). The mentioned behaviors are often challenging to family members, friends and caregivers. Separate treatment and management methods are required for mental disorders and memory problems. Life expectancy is not clear as it varies greatly among different individuals with an average of eight to ten years after the discovery of the first symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is common among individuals over sixty five years of age and faintly affects more women as opposed to men. Nevertheless young people can also develop it.
Causes of Alzheimer include age, gender, genetic inheritance, health, and lifestyle (Hennig & Schubert, 2003). Age is the greatest risk affecting the older people. Research is not clear on why women are more prone to developing the disease as opposed to men but the statistics prove this finding. Genetic inheritance is present though rare. There are genes that increase or decrease the chances of a person developing Alzheimer’s. The risk is increased if a close family member is diagnosed with the same at the age of sixty five and above. Though this does not mean that the disease is inevitable but measures can be taken to reduce the risks (Gidley & Shears, 1987; Hennig & Schubert, 2003). Health conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity, and depression are known to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking are some of the healthy lifestyles that helps in lowering the risks.
Diagnosis should be done early for anyone concerned that they may have Alzheimer’s disease due to the benefits involved. Some of the benefits include extensive explanations of the symptoms, early treatment and management, advice and support, and it allows for a viable future plan. There are no tests directly linked to Alzheimer’s disease and health practitioners initially rule out other health conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. The diagnosis is based on understanding the individual’s life by asking questions about their overall health and medical history, family members give an input on their ability to carry out daily activities and other behavior and personality changes (Gidley & Schubert, 2003). Mental ability tests may be carried out; counting, language, attention and problem solving.
Other cases require a specialist to make the diagnosis. This may be a psychiatrist who deals with old people and specializes in their mental health. Others include a geriatrician who specializes in the physical health of old people, a general adult psychiatrist specializing in the mental health of adults and a neurologist who specializes in the brain and nervous system. Specialists assess symptoms and their development; the individuals mental, memory and thinking abilities through pen and paper tests (Carlson, 2011). Brain scans are carried out to show cases of brain changes, damage, and rule out possible causes for symptoms. They comprise magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and position emission tomography. Brain scans are as well used in ruling out other health conditions that have symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s. Health care providers carry out repeated tests to better understand the individual’s memory ability and how their cognitive functions change over a period of time.
Presently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease but much can be done to control and enable an individual live well with the condition. Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease consists of medication, support and different activities (Gidley & Shears, 1987). Though the medication used is not to cure, it helps in relieving some of the symptoms and slows down the progression of the disease. Support system are also provided to help victims live independent lives such as making changes in their home environment making it easier for them to remember daily tasks and move around. Psychological treatments can be used to help in problem solving skills, language ability, and supporting memory (Zara & Heterotopiske, 2011). A popular treatment programme is the cognitive stimulation therapy that involves activities carried out over several weeks in groups and led by health practitioners. They focus on improving the memory and mental abilities of affected individuals (Carlson, 2011). Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be employed to manage anxiety and depression as well as counseling sessions. This helps in coping with memory loss and having an independent lifestyle.
Cognitive stimulation exercises the mind and helps in maintaining memory, improving one’s mood, and overall wellbeing. Social interactions and activities enjoyed by person’s suffering from Alzheimer’s disease will help in improving the condition. Support should also be accorded to family members and caregivers. The demands of daily care and making decisions can have an emotional, physical, and financial toil on them. Knowledge about this condition is very important and works as a long term strategy. Strong support networks are chief in dealing with the challenges related to Alzheimer’s disease and provides both physical and emotional aid. Certain lifestyles changes can be implemented to reduce the risks of the onset of Alzheimer’s including; physical fitness, and mental activity, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing substance abuse and smoking.