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What is Alzheimer?
The
gray-haired old lady cannot wait to leave the building to search for
her dad. Unless watched, she will walk the streets in an effort to
locate her father, who died 30 years ago. Yes, she is afflicted with
Alzheimer's disease, a condition so debilitating, it robs a patient not
only of memory, sight and mobility, but even personality.
Alzheimer's
disease is a physical illness that causes changes in the brain. It is a
form of dementia. Dementia affects a person's memory, mood, and
behavior.
Alzheimer's disease usually affects people over 65. A
person with this disease has trouble remembering, speaking, learning,
making judgments, and planning. Some people feel restless and moody. It
may take many years for Alzheimer's disease to get worse.
People
often do become more forgetful as they grow older. However, Alzheimer's
disease causes more than just memory loss. Its symptoms can impact
every part of a person's life. Alzheimer's disease leads to changes in
behavior, personality, and abilities. Over time, people with the disease
have trouble doing common daily activities, such as bathing or getting
dressed.
The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease can be frustrating
for a person with the disease. Dealing with these symptoms can also be
difficult for family members of the suffering patient. It may help to
understand that these changes are no one's fault. They are part of the
disease.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease and no way to
slow the progression of the disease. For some people in the early or
middle stages of the disease, certain medications may alleviate some
cognitive symptoms.
In addition, some medications may help
control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering,
anxiety, and depression. These treatments are aimed at making the
patient more comfortable.
However, scientists have identified the
region of the brain responsible for long-term memory, bringing closer
the development of treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
American
researchers pinpointed a part of the brain - the anterior cingulate -
that controls the storage and retrieval of distant recollections. The
breakthrough opens up a new field of research into ways to treat
diseases, like Alzheimer's that affect the memory.
About the Author
For more information, visit: www.AlzheimersInfoHelp.com
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