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Alzheimer'S Disease essay 3
Human Biology (BIOL08003)
University of the West of Scotland
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TASK 4 A
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cell waste (degeneration) and death. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia - a continuous decline in the ability to think, behave and social skills, which disrupts a person's ability to function independently.
Forgetting recent events or converstations are the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Severe memory impairment and lose the ability to carry out daily tasks will develop as the disease progresses. Current medicines may improve symptoms for some time. Sometimes these medications can assist Alzheimer's disease individuals maximize function and retain independence for a while. There are various programs and services that may help to support individual with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
Through several years, the signs of Alzheimer's disease develop steadily. Such signs are sometimes confused with other conditions and may be put down to old age in the beginning. The level of development of the symptoms for each patient is different. Certain conditions may be responsible for worsening symptoms in some cases. Such conditions are as follows:
infections stroke delirium
Certain factors, such as certain medications, may also exacerbate the symptoms of dementia as well as these conditions. Anyone with Alzheimer's disease whose symptoms are progressively deteriorating should be seen by a doctor in order to manage them. There may be factors that can be treated for the worsening of symptoms.
Stages of Alzheimer's disease
Generally, the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are divided into 3 main stages.
Early symptoms
In the early stages, the main symptom of Alzheimer's disease is memory lapses. For example, someone with early Alzheimer's disease may:
forget about recent conversations or events misplace items forget the names of places and objects have trouble thinking of the right word ask questions repetitively show poor judgement or find it harder to make decisions
become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things
There are often signs of mood changes, such as increasing anxiety or agitation, or periods of confusion.
Middle-stage symptoms
Memory problems will get worse as Alzheimer's disease progresses. Someone with the disorder may find it harder and harder to remember the names of the people they meet and may fail to recognise their family and friends. There may also be other signs, such as:
increasing confusion and disorientation – for example, getting lost, or wandering and not knowing what time of day it is obsessive, repetitive or impulsive behaviour delusions (believing things that are untrue) or feeling paranoid and suspicious about carers or family members problems with speech or language (aphasia) disturbed sleep changes in mood, such as frequent mood swings, depression and feeling increasingly anxious, frustrated or agitated difficulty performing spatial tasks, such as judging distances seeing or hearing things that other people do not (hallucinations)
Many may have some vascular dementia signs as well. Someone with Alzheimer's disease will typically need assistance at this point to help them with their daily lives. They may need help to eat, wash, get dressed, and use the toilet, for example.
Later symptoms
The symptoms become increasingly severe in the later stages of Alzheimer's disease and may be distressing to the person with the condition as well as to their carers, friends and family. Hallucinations and hallucinations may come and go through the course of the disease, but may get worse as the disease progresses. Sometimes those around them can be violent, demanding, and suspicious of people with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease may also develop a number of other symptoms, such as:
difficulty eating and swallowing (dysphagia) difficulty changing position or moving around without assistance weight loss – sometimes severe unintentional passing of urine (urinary incontinence) or stools (bowel incontinence) gradual loss of speech significant problems with short- and long-term memory
In the severe stages of Alzheimer's disease, people may need full-time care and assistance with eating, moving and personal care.
Researchers believe that Alzheimer's disease is caused for most individuals by a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental variables that over time influence the brain. Alzheimer's is caused less than 1 percent of the time by particular genetic changes that nearly ensure that a individual develops the disease. These unusual events generally lead to middle-aged disease onset.
The precise causes of Alzheimer's disease are not fully understood, but it is based on brain protein issues that are not functioning normally, disrupting brain cells (neurons), and triggering a number of
It has been shown to help overcome Alzheimer's disease or slow it down. A recent study has shown that even partially following this diet is better than nothing that is important for people who may find it difficult to fully follow a new diet. The diet includes fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, olive oil, nuts, legumes, fish, moderate amounts of poultry, eggs and dairy products, moderate amounts of red wine and red meat only sparingly.
Sleep well
Increasing evidence suggests that better sleep may help prevent Alzheimer's disease and is associated with greater amyloid clearance from the brain. Aim for seven to eight hours overnight.
To learn new things
Cognitive activities can be helpful in preventing Alzheimer's disease, but the evidence in their favor is often limited to improving a learned task, such as a thinking skill test, which is not generalized to generally improving thinking skills and everyday life.
Connect socially
Greater social contact helps prevent Alzheimer's disease, but so far there is only information from observational studies.
Drink, but only a little bit
There is conflicting evidence in favor of moderate alcohol consumption (one drink per day for women, one or two for men) and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. It is believed that especially wine, and not other forms of alcohol, can be helpful, but this has not been proven.
References:
mayoclinic/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc- 20350447?fbclid=IwAR0hkZlukaFtqar8JkLnlLMmoJKrPy17njq6N3fgaLmJKKrt8OEzcPq_xUs
nhs/conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms/
health.harvard/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-can-you-do-to-avoid-alzheimers- disease
Alzheimer'S Disease essay 3
Module: Human Biology (BIOL08003)
University: University of the West of Scotland
