Guest Author - Deborah Pipas

Alzheimer’s is a terminal disease which develops gradually over time. This brain disorder was first described in 1906 by a German physician name Alois Alzheimer. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, which slowly causes the loss of memory concerning almost everything ever learned in life. Thinking and behavior slowly change becoming so complicated that it affects the ability of the patient to continue working, participating in hobbies the patient has done all of their life and eventually the individual loses the ability to participate in any type of social life. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that worsens over time. Today in the United States it ranks as the sixth leading cause of death.

There are many symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease some of which include memory loss, disorientation, impaired judgment, forgetting common everyday words, losing things, loss of initiative, mood swings and many others that are often attributed to aging. Therefore making the diagnosis all the more complicated.

Unfortunately there is no single test to make an accurate diagnosis. First the physician must rule out depression, alcoholism and other things such as a reaction to medication that could be the source of the symptoms. The physician will talk with the patient as well as the family to determine the changes in personality and to determine if mental illness, heart attack or stroke and many other medical and medicinal issues could be creating the problems. Diagnosis will require a physical as well as a neurological examination. The diagnosis is based on several different test determined by the physician in charge.

Treatment for the most part is to alleviate the symptoms. There are a number of drugs that have been used effectively for treatment and often in the early stages the patient will be given activities to assist in improving memory, recognition and concentration. Unfortunately the patient will become progressively worse over time and require more personal care from family or in an institutionalized setting. As with all other medications the drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease do have side effects and the response of each patient is different.

There are many theories on Preventing Alzheimer's some of which include keeping ones cholesterol and blood pressure controlled. Eating a healthy diet low in salt and fat and exercising regularly. At this time there is much clinical evidence that indicates that there is a connection between heart disease and Alzheimer’s. Heart disease which causes poor circulation and a lack of blood to the brain could possibly be a part of the reason as the lack of circulation causes brain cells to die as they are starved for blood.
As research continues perhaps someday in the near future a cure will be found. In the meantime we can only hope for the best for our loved ones that suffer this dread disease or for those who face the possibly of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.