Alzheimer's? what is it?!


Question: Alzheimer's!? what is it!?
help please!.my great aunty has been told she has alzheimers!. what is it and will she die!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com


Answers:
It is a slow disease that attacks the brain and eventually leads to someone not being able to remember things!. It is slow and fatal but like in my Grandmother's case she soon forgot who we were and where she was but lived till 92!. Just means someone has to look after the person 24 hours a day!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Alzheimer's disease (AD), also called Alzheimer disease or simply Alzheimer's, is the most common form of dementia!. This incurable, degenerative and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist Alois Alzheimer in 1901!. Generally it is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier!. An estimated 26!.6 million people worldwide were afflicted by Alzheimer's in 2006; this number may quadruple by 2050!.

Although each sufferer experiences Alzheimer's in unique ways, there are many common symptoms!.[3] The earliest observable symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be 'age-related' concerns, or manifestations of stress!. The most commonly recognised early symptom is memory loss, such as difficulty in remembering recently learned facts!. When a doctor or physician has been notified, and AD is suspected, the diagnosis is usually confirmed with behavioural assessments and cognitive tests, often followed by a brain scan if available!. As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings, language breakdown, long-term memory loss, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as his senses decline!. Gradually, minor and major bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death!. Individual prognosis is difficult to assess, as the duration of the disease varies!. AD develops for an indeterminate period of time before becoming fully apparent, and it can progress undiagnosed for years!. The mean life expectancy following diagnosis is approximately seven years!. Fewer than three percent of individuals live more than fourteen years after diagnosis
The cause and progression of Alzheimer's disease are not well understood!. Research indicates that the disease is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain!. Currently used treatments offer a small symptomatic benefit; no treatments to delay or halt the progression of the disease are as yet available!. As of 2008, more than 500 clinical trials were investigating possible treatments for AD, but it is unknown if any of them will prove successful!. Many measures have been suggested for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, but their value is unproven in slowing the course and reducing the severity of the disease!. Mental stimulation, exercise and a balanced diet are often recommended, as both a possible prevention and a sensible way of managing the disease!.

Because AD cannot be cured and is degenerative, management of patients is essential!. The role of the main caregiver is often taken by the spouse or a close relative!. Alzheimer's disease is known for placing a great burden on caregivers; the pressures can be wide-ranging, involving social, psychological, physical and economic elements of the caregiver's life!. In developed countries, AD is one of the most economically costly diseases to society!.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people!. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities!.

AD begins slowly!. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language!. People with AD may have trouble remembering things that happened recently or names of people they know!. Over time, symptoms get worse!. People may not recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing!. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair!. Later on, they may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home!. Eventually, they need total care!. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them!.

AD usually begins after age 60!. The risk goes up as you get older!. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease!.

No treatment can stop the disease!. However, some drugs may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time!.

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Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around 417,000 people in the UK!. The term 'dementia' is used to describe the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions!. This factsheet outlines the symptoms and risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, and describes what treatments are currently available!.

Alzheimer's disease, first described by the German neurologist Alois Alzheimer, is a physical disease affecting the brain!. During the course of the disease, 'plaques' and 'tangles' develop in the structure of the brain, leading to the death of brain cells!. People with Alzheimer's also have a shortage of some important chemicals in their brains!. These chemicals are involved with the transmission of messages within the brain!.

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means that gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged!. As this happens, the symptoms become more severe!.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease!. However, some drug treatments are available that can ameliorate the symptoms or slow down the disease progression in some people!.

Age

Age is the greatest risk factor for dementia!. Dementia affects one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in six over the age of 80!. However, Alzheimer's is not restricted to elderly people: in the UK, there are 15,000 people under the age of 65 with dementia, although this figure is likely to be an underestimate!.

Im not joking or lying to you but your aunt has a pretty good chance of dying!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Alzheimer's disease is a type of neurological condition in which the brain starts to deteriorate with the memory!. It can sometimes happen with the loss of short term memory, and their long term memory which involves most of their past can be vivid, while their short term memory on what they did 5 minutes ago could be very foggy!. In more severe forms of Alzheimer's they can actually go into their own world where they no longer know who any one is, or what their purpose is of being around where you are with them!.

So far there is no known cure for the disease!. There is one type of medication that i know that is out on the market right now for Alzheimer's disease, and it is called Aricept!. This slows down the rate that the disease progresses, but it will not stop it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

alzheimer's is a degenerative illness in which a person gradually forgets facts about his or her life and surroundings!. the person tends to be more disoriented and forgets details about the people he/she lives with!. i've heard that it can be fatal, but i've also heard that it's not the disease itself that leads to death!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Don't worry, hun!. It's very similar to Parkinson's dieaease!. Basically, like someone else said, its deterioation if the brain cells which can lead to short term memory!. It can be hard to get to grips with the fact that these people might forget things- but my dad has Parkinsons, and as it is very similar, I know what you are going through!.

This might help you loads better than I will!.
http://en!.wikipedia!.org/wiki/Alzheimers

Good luck, sweetie!.Don't worry yourself over it!.
xxWww@Answer-Health@Com

my great uncle had it!. they just keep forgeting stuff and eventually they dont remember anyone and after a while they can forget how to eat!. so yes they die!.

also look here-

http://health!.yahoo!.com/alzheimers-overv!.!.!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

It is a progressive form of dementia occurring in middle age or later, characterized by loss of short-term memory, deterioration in behavior and intellectual performance, and slowness of thought!.
The condition maybe mimicked by severe depression!.
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Have a little read of this http://www!.everydayhealth!.com/senior-hea!.!.!.

hope it helpsWww@Answer-Health@Com

Its a deterioration of the brain!. She will forget everything in time!. Its a nasty disease for the people and family around you!. The author Terry Pratchett has just been diagnosed with it too!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Alzheimer's is a disease where the person's memory fades!. She will not DIE b/c of Alzheimer's, but she may not remember who you are once the disease has progressed!. A very sad disease for family members!.!.!. Sorry!. :(Www@Answer-Health@Com

she will be with you for a while!.
its just a disease where you start to forget more and more!.!.
she may eventually forget your name , don't let this depress you or slow you down!.
everything in this world happens for a reasonWww@Answer-Health@Com

Alzheimer's!. is dementia were the sufferer loses there memory!. and they cant even remember there own name!. sadly the do eventually die!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life!. Alzheimer



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