Alzheimer’s Disease: Signs and symptoms, prevention, medication

Alzheimers Disease

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Alzeimers Disease

Introduction to Alzeimers disease

How is Alzheimer’s Disease Caused?
What Are the Symptoms and Signs?

How is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed?

Can Alzheimer’s Disease be Treated?

Is It Possible to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?

Introduction to Alzeimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder which affects the elderly population. It is a long-standing disorder that is characterized by gradually progressing disturbances in the normal functions of the brain such as memory, decision-making, judgement and orientation to the physical surroundings.¹ The risk of developing this disorder increases as the age advances. Alzheimer’s disease is noted to be more common in women.² The affected individuals are unable to perform their day-to-day activities, lose their ability to move around as the disease progresses. It has been also been denoted as the commonest cause of dementia (loss of memory).

The incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in India was found to be between 0.1 and 1 per 1000 individuals in the age group 65–70 years, while it was about 1–5% in individuals between the age group of 80 and 95 years³. Further studies are being conducted to identify the exact incidence and the risk factors specific to Indian population.

Alzheimer’s disease is named after a German doctor, Alois Alzheimer who first noticed the changes in the brain tissues of a woman who had died of some unknown cause in 1906. These changes are still considered while diagnosing the disorder.

How is Alzheimer’s Disease Caused?
The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. However, it has been identified that multiple factors play a vital role in the development of the disorder, wherein these factors may cause the disorder either by itself or by
Read more about the Causes of Alzheimers disease...

What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Alzeimer's Disease ?
The signs and symptoms noticed initially may be confused to be that due to the aging process and hence tend to be overlooked. These initial symptoms gradually become severe as the disorder progresses. Other symptoms
Read more about the Symptoms of Alzheimers disease...

How is Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosed?
Identification of the disorder during its initial stages requires a high degree of suspicion, as the early symptoms can be mistaken to be those normally associated with aging. Initial diagnosis is based on the symptoms and signs
Read more about the Diagnosis of Alzheimers disease...

Can Alzheimer’s Disease be Treated?
Although the modes of progression of Alzheimer’s disease along with the specific changes that occur in the cells and tissues within the brain and associated structures have been well- identified, the presently available
Read more about the Treatment for Alzheimers disease...

Is It Possible to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex degenerative disorder that results from the interaction of various risk factors. No individual factor has been pointed out that can be avoided to prevent the occurrence. However, as the changes observed in the brain of individuals are due to certain oxidative processes and antioxidative agents that have been tried with some success. Individuals at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease are advised to take some antioxidatives along with vitamin B₁₂ supplementations.

A balanced low fat diet that includes enough amounts of fruits with antioxidants may be beneficial in improving the general health. Avoidance of smoking, performing moderate exercises daily and avoiding exposure to harmful toxins are also recommended to improve the health and may be beneficial in preventing the occurrence of the disorder or reduce the severity of the symptoms.⁹.

FAQ and Answers

Question and Answers

1. How long does the Alzheimers disease last
2. Age group Alzheimers disease affect

Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: February 09, 2010

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References

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Chandra V, Pandav R, Dodge HH, Johnston JM, Belle SH, DeKosky ST, et al. Incidence of Alzheimer's disease in a rural community in India. Neurology. 2001; 57: 985–989.
Munoz DG, Feldman. Causes of Alzheimer's disease. CMAJ. 2000; 162 (1).
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MedlinePlus. Alzheimer’s disease. [homepage on Internet]. Bethesda, MD: U.S. National Library of Medicine; [updated 2006 May 16; cited 2008 Jan 20]. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000760.htm
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Cummings JL, Frank JC, Cherry D, Kohatsu ND, Kemp B, Hewett L, et al. Guidelines for Managing Alzheimer's Disease: Part II. Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2002; 65(12): 2525–2534.
Kedar NP. Can we prevent Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease? J Postgrad Med. [serial online] [cited 2008 Jan 21]; 2003; 49: 236–245. Available at: http://www.jpgmonline.com/text.asp?2003/49/3/236/1140

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