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Because
we now live in an aging community, it is common to see people living
well into their eighties and sometimes longer. As a result, Alzheimer’s
disease will affect many more lives in the future. In fact, it is
estimated that within twenty years, around thirty million people
worldwide, will suffer from this insidious disease.
Alzheimer’s
disease is a degenerative condition that affects the cerebral cortex of
the brain and leads to the progressive death of nerve cells. This causes
the sufferer to gradually lose their memory. Alzheimer’s disease is the
most common form of dementia making up more than half of dementia
sufferers. Around twenty percent of people aged over sixty five
experience dementia which is a term that describes many different
diseases where people experience serious memory loss.
While it
normally affects people in their mid-sixties or later, it can also
affect people as young as thirty. This is called early-onset Alzheimer’s
disease.
People with Alzheimer’s disease may become lost in
areas that are well known to them such as their local shopping centre.
They also forget what things are called and often what those things are
actually used for. These things are quite likely to be items that they
have used every day during their life.
Alzheimer’s disease is
caused by a shortage of neurotransmitters in the brain. These
neurotransmitters are the chemical that normally transmit messages to
the brain controlling memory, speech and movement.
In the early
part of this condition, the person may be unable to remember things that
happened only a short time ago yet can remember things that happened
many years before. This is known as short-term memory loss. Because
their long-term memory remains intact for quite some time, it is vital
to share their memories. It can be helpful to have a photo album for the
person and to go through the album with them, allowing them the time to
recount the memories each photo invokes for them.
As the disease
progresses, the person with Alzheimer’s disease finds it increasingly
difficult to perform day-to-day activities like personal care and taking
care of their nutritional needs. They may need assistance with cooking
and may also need to be reminded to eat. Often, they may forget people’s
names, including close family members. This often leads to angry
outbursts. They also tend to become restless and suffer from insomnia.
The
person with Alzheimer’s can sometimes become so confused and forgetful
that their resulting actions may put themselves or others at risk. This
can be things like forgetting to switch off heaters or putting clothes
or papers too near such appliances. They may also act inappropriately,
behaving in ways that are totally out of character for them. A person
who has always been very properly spoken and behaved may begin using
vulgar language or stripping their clothes off in front of other people.
In
the later stages of the disease, the person may need 24 hour care and
supervision as they lose their memory completely. Often by this time,
they are weak and find it hard to walk as the part of the brain that
controls muscles succumbs to the disease. One of the major risks at this
stage is that of falls. It is important not to have loose mats,
electrical cords, or any other loose items lying around the floor where
the person may trip over them.
The person may become wheelchair
dependent or even bedridden. Dysphasia (difficulty in swallowing)
becomes a problem and may make the person reluctant to eat, resulting in
weight loss. They become incontinent and lose all control of both
bladder and bowel. Often, families may provide care though others may
prefer to admit the person to a nursing home where trained professionals
are available to care for their loved one around the clock.
Every
person is different and this is also true for the sufferers of
Alzheimer’s disease. While some may experience certain losses early in
the disease, others may suffer the same losses at a later stage of the
disease. However, what is common to all is the gradual loss of memory
and ability to function normally.
While, in the final stages of
the disease, the person may not recognize anyone, they still recognize
the kindness of a soothing voice and a loving smile.
About the Author:
Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for more than 30 years. She is a co-director of http://www.magnetic-health-online.com an information portal with many interesting medical articles and also of http://www.pharmacybyweb.com which has online physicians who can help you with any questions you may have.
Source: www.isnare.com
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