Alzheimer’s Disease – Essay 2

Alzheimers Disease Joy Pachowicz PSY 350 prof Alina Sheppe Perez May 15, 201 Introduction Alzheimers unsoundness, despite creation so wide mobilise, is not real considered part of the ripening process. According to Robert Feldman, author of the textbook, Understanding Psychology, precisely 19% of mass who argon ages 75 to 84 suffer from this disease. It is simply once they pass the age of 85, that the elderly need to be more concerned ab appear the possibility of induceing Alzheimers disease. ( Feldman, p. 446)Fifty percent of totally people over 85 forms of age suffer from Alzheimers disease and researchers believe that if no cure for the disease is found by the year 2050 there will be 14 million people unnatural by this disease. (Feldman, p. 446) What is Alzheimers disease and how is it diagnosed? What are its symptoms and who are most likely to develop this disease? The purpose of this paper is to explore what Alzheimers disease is and offer slightly suggestions of h ow to approach it in the future. What is Alzheimers Disease?According to the Alzheimers Foundation of America, Alzheimers Disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brains nerve cells, or neurons, resulting in the loss of memory, thinking, vocabulary skills, and behavioral changes (www. alzfdn. org) With Alzheimers disease, neuron cells are destroyed in the hippocampus, and this is what sparks the loss of little(a) term memory and as neuron cells die in the rational cortex, so too the functionality of language and clear thinking escorts a marked decline in the some unmatchable who has developed Alzheimers disease (www. lzfdn. org) With Alzheimers disease, there is modest production of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is very lots involved with our dexterity to gyp and retain information so, if there is a decrease in Acetylcholine our memorys ability to function suffers greatly. (Feldman, p. 66) Symptoms of A lzheimers Disease How does unity know to even confer with a specialist or seek out atomic number 53s physician regarding Alzheimers disease? in that respect are some telltale symptoms that set up red flags of warning.If you see any of these symptoms, please see a physician to determine if you excite Alzheimers disease 1. Memory Loss that disrupts Daily Life 2. Difficulties in preparation events or solving problems 3. Difficulties performing familiar tasks or household recreate 4. Confusion with time or place. 5. Troubles interpreting visual images and spacial relationships 6. Problems with forming run-in or with communicating Losing items and not being able to remember what genius recently did. 7. Failing and poor judgement 8. Withdrawal from work or social activities 9. Changes in Mood or Behavioral ( www. lz. org) Now dependable because you may have hotshot or all these doesnt necessarily cockeyed you have Alzheimers disease. Time is very much a key cistron in acting o n these symptoms. If these symptoms persist over a persistent period of time then its time to have a superior evaluation of the symptoms. . Diagnosing Alzheimers Disease According to the Alzheimers Association, there are several(prenominal) steps to take when trying to diagnose Alzheimers disease. First, one must consult with his/her medical doctor. When issue, its important to take a copy of ones social unit medical history.While at the consultation, one shag be presumptuousness a mental status test. Along with this test, a physical and neurologic exam should be given. Blood tests should be taken to rule out otherwise possible causes of memory loss. (www. alz. org) The specialists one could see to determine whether one is suffering from Alzheimers disease and not some other illness are Psychologists, Neurologists and Psychiatrist. (www. alz. org) Stages of Alzheimers Disease As with other diseases, Alzheimers has varying decimal points it progresses through and through as it develops in the body and affects the brain.The first set up consists of the mere contemplation of the symptoms of Alzheimers disease, which we have already listed memory problems, embarrassingy forming words, forgetfulness etc. ( www. nia. nih. gov) The following(a) stage would be what doctors would label the mild stage of Alzheimers disease. During this stage, cognitive abilities are more impaired. There are difficulties with handling money or paying bills. Repeating things over and over again begin to be notice. (www. nia. nih. gov) The mild stage gives way to the moderate stage of Alzheimers disease. novel symptoms appear and older ones worsen. Memory continues to decline in this stage. In this stage it becomes more and more difficult to recognize family and friends. In the moderate stage of Alzheimers disease there are hallucinations and paranoia. Its more difficult to get dressed, wash and perform simple task. ( www. nia. nih. gov) The final stage of Alzheimers disease i s the severe stage. People with severe Alzheimers disease drip most their time in bed, sleeping. Their body shuts down. ( www. nia. nih. gov) Treating Alzheimers diseaseSince Alzheimers disease is caused by a boldness buildup in the synapse that prevents the communication of neurons, one to another researchers have found a way to allow for these neurons to hand despite this buildup. Donepezil is one such drug that has been released for the word of Alzheimers disease. another(prenominal) name for this drug is Aricept. What Aricept does is increases the memorys capacity. ( Feldman, p. 229) There are other drugs being tested but, right now the most popular treatment for Alzheimers disease is the use of Aricept. In the NewsResearchers of Banner sunbathe Health Research Institute have been studying the relationship that dogshit and cholesterol have to Alzheimers disease. They believe that dementia is caused by tangles and governance in the brain. Copper has been implicated in the increased progression of Alzheimers disease in those who have the disease. Cholesterol, which is a major cause of plaque buildup in other parts of the body, therefore, it can be a add cause of plaque buildup in the brain. (redorbit. com) In the BSHRI study, Sparks and his team performed a cowcatcher study of long-term dietary cholesterol in four groups of rabbits. unity group was administered normal food and water and three groups were administered increasing levels of a cholesterol diet for quintuplet months. Significantly, plasma levels of tau increased by 40 to 50 percent in each of the cholesterol-fed animal groups after five months of the experimental diet (redorbit. com) In another research program being conducted by scientists through the USF Health Byrd Alzheimers Institute, Indiana University and Floridas Alzheimers Disease Research Center a certain protein beta gritty was singled out to be the cause of neurons malfunctioning that causes memory oss which is associated with Alzheimers Disease. (redorbit. com) By identifying a brand new and extremely important target of the amyloid proteins toxicity, we can develop drugs for Alzheimers disease that may protect the motors from inhibition and allow the brain to regenerate properly, said principal investigator Huntington Potter, PhD, a professor of Molecular Medicine who holds the Pfeiffer Endowed Chair for Alzheimers Disease Research. (redorbit. com) Coping with Alzheimers disease There are many ways to fight the contrary symptoms of Alzheimers disease.Below are some ways a person can cope with Alzheimers disease Keep a notebook handy to record important numbers, appointments and dates. Use sticky note to patron remember things of importance Keep important phone numbers close to telephone (in large print) Have a contact who will cry out to remind of meal generation, appointments or other. Use a calendar to prevent track of the day of week. Keep photos of important people around have n ames of who these important people are somewhere on the picture. When going out always have another person to go along, to forfend getting lost. For Care Providers Providing a wellnessy lifestyle is a must. thoroughly nutrition, exercise and appropriate social interactions all help to develop a healthy environment for the Alzheimers uncomplaining. Have a planned unremarkable routine .. so that Alzheimers patient can develop a sense of accomplishment and value. Choose proper times for activities. Many times night time is not a good time for Alzheimers patients. Encourage independence with the Alzheimers patient, let them do for themselves as much as possible. Speak slowly and calmly Make eye contact. tip over simple instructions (webmd. com) Conclusion Alzheimers disease is a wide spread disease that affects a great number of elderly people worldwide. While it is frequently associated with old age it is not considered part of the aging process. Recent studies provided so me hopeful ways to help stop the spread of Alzheimers disease, and also provided warnings of what can happen if a cure to Alzheimers disease is not found.. While a person may register many symptoms of Alzheimers disease, only a medical doctor can confirm whether Alzheimers disease is present.Through various tests, doctors rule out other possible diseases before focusing on Alzheimers disease. Alzheimers disease has many stages and faces and the best approach is to arrest it while its in its early stages. Once Alzheimers settles in and brain cells break through dying, the only thing left to do is to accommodate the limitations that come with the disease. Educating oneself about Alzheimers disease is a must for everyone. More than likely, every one of us will come face to face with it in one fashion or another.We will either be taking feel for of someone who has it or, we will develop it ourselves. Alzheimers disease affects both the patient and those around him/her. Take time to become knowledgeable of this disease, id worth the effort. . References Alzheimers Disease modified Tips for Maintaining a Normal life. Retrieved From. http//www. webmd. com/alzheimers/caregivers-09/memory-tips Coping With Alzheimers Special Instructions for Care Providers. Retrieved From http//www. webmd. com/alzheimers/caregivers-09/caregivers-tips Feldman. R. F. (2008).Understanding Psychology. (8th Edition). NYC. New York. McGraw/Hill. National Institute On Aging. Care giver Guide. Retrieved from. http//www. nia. nih. gov/Alzheimers/Publications/caregiverguide. htm National Institute on Aging. Tips for Care Givers. Retrieved from. http//www. nia. nih. gov/nia. nih. gov Researchers come up Further Evidence Linking Alzheimers Disease to Copper and Cholesterol Retrieved from. http//www. redorbit. com/news/health/2046137/banner_sun_health_research_institute_res earchers_find_further_evidence_linking/index. html