Running Head: Alzheimers Disease 1

Alzheimer's disease

Beverly Watson-Emmons

How and Why the Body Ages

Madonna University
Alzheimer's disease 2

Alzheimers disease, which is a common type of dementia, usually occurs in elders 65 years of

age and older. Although people have been diagnosed with this disease at much younger ages. It

is one of the most deadly diseases for elders and ranks as the sixth highest killer. As the Baby

Boomers age in the United States it can be feared that Alzheimer's may become the most

common cause of death. Research has stated that this disease is due to shrinkage of tissue in the

brain among other ailments. Although researchers have not pin pointed the cause of Alzheimer's

there are several potential possibilities to the prevention of the disease. As of 2015 research has

stated out of 5.3 million Americans who have Alzheimers two thirds are women and

approximately forty five percent of Americans do not know they have the disease. (WebMd,

2005-2015)

This disease affects the brains memory due to neuronal damage. There are seven stages that are

mapped out that people go through. In early stages it is unrecognizable as people's mental and

physical functions are relatively normal, with the exclusion of minor memory problems that are

the assumption of daily living. In stage two there are memory lapses but as in stage one there is

nothing to alarm the family or friends. A physician performing a routine checkup would not

necessarily, at this point, be able to make a diagnosis of Alzheimer's unless specific tests were

done. In these early stages memory lapses, difficulty speaking and remembering words along

with simple problem solving become increasingly predominant. New information is not

processed properly, the person becomes forgetful unable to retrace steps in remembering what

was just said, done or where an item was placed. Theses stages can cause agitation and mild

mood swings.
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During stage three signs of dementia become noticeable as confusion becomes eminent. The

same questions are asked repeatedly, names and places are forgotten a person might even get lost

in their own home. Short term memory or working memory is being affected. During the next

three stages 4, 5 and 6 memory decline becomes more severe, past memories are erased.

Expressing oneself in words seems a never ending task .One may act out not wanting to be social

and having mild to violent mood swings, which are not uncommon for these stages. A persons

independence is now being taken away as with the decline of ones working memory it is

difficult if not impossible to perform the majority of activities of daily living during stage 6 it has

been stated that there is a lack of awareness but that a person still has a sense of pain and

pleasure. (Waldemar, 2009) Stage 7 is the stage of final decline and persons live for

approximately one to five years after entering this stage

This disease does not affect the physical body until the end stages. People with Alzheimer's

usually function well until the decline of the memory becomes so intense reality as bodily

functions become impaired. Familiar tasks such as dressing oneself and personal hygiene

become a hardship. During later stages of Alzheimer's disease one should not be left alone as if

the person becomes confused it could lead to bodily injury. Therefore, if a person diagnosed with

end stage Alzheimer's is to stay in their own home, which would be very unlikely, they would

need around the clock in home care. Unfortunately with this disease in later stages it is best for

the individual to be in a protected environment and under the care of professionals.

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There are several risk factors associated with Alzheimers such as inherited genes and family

history. There is a gene e4 which has been factored into ones having Alzheimers. (Staff, 1998-

2015). Out of the APOE genes e2, e3, and e4: e4 or two copies of e4 have the highest connection

to Alzheimers and inheritance from family genes, although it has not been proven to be an

absolute in acquiring the disease. Age is of course a factor along with mild cognitive impairment

both can lead to Alzheimers, cardiovascular disease plays its part in this incurable disease as the

brain needs blood for cells to live and reproduce. Any intervention in the brain receiving blood

can cause damage to brain cells; therefor heart disease is considered a cause, but a preventable

cause. Cardiovascular disease is associated with smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and

high cholesterol all of which with a change in lifestyle can prevent heart disease. These factors

that protect the heart also protect the brain. Traumatic brain injury is another possible cause.

Loss of consciousness or post traumatic amnesia (WebMd, 2005-2015) that lasts more that

twenty-four hours can in the long run have an adverse effect on one acquiring Alzheimers

disease. Football players, boxers and combat veterans are all at high risk. The last factor is

education, mental stimulus might be a way of preventing Alzheimers as it is a cognitive

researve.

Pharmacological treatment is available to a certain extent there are drugs give to Alzheimer

patients to enhance the activation of brain cells. Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil,

rivastigmine and galantamine are used to aid in slowing the breakdown of the enzyme

acetylcholine, which is a message center in the brain (Association, 2015).As of now there is not a
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prescription to be taken to prevent or cure this disease, but one can change their lifestyle as a

preventative measure. There is also non-pharmacological treatment that can help late stage

Alzheimer patients such a soothing music and recall sessions. Recall sessions can consist of

pictures and story telling; although it will only be momentary it does prove to be worthwhile.

Professionals have stated that good nutrition and physical exercise play a key role in Alzheimer

prevention as well as a good nights sleep. While sleeping the brain is able to cleanse itself from

toxins. As there is not a primary prevention adjusting ones lifestyle is at this time the only

option for prevention.

Alzheimers is usually diagnosed during its later stages, as during the first two stages impairment

is seemingly mild. Than in the third stage the person with the disease may well be trying to hide

the symptoms from themselves and others. Once the signs and symptoms have become

overwhelming a physician may diagnosis Alzheimers through brain imaging, blood tests or

neurological examination. As there is no cure for Alzheimers disease family members and the

person diagnosed should prepare for the future as soon as possible.

Currently there are several different approaches to research being conducted on the cause and

cure for Alzheimers. Amyloid, which is thought by some to be a cause of the disease, is a

deposit of plaques that kills neurons in the brain. The scientists that are involved in this research

want to reduce these plaques and are testing drugs that kill the enzymes responsible for creating

amyloids (Health, 2014). Another form of research is the health of the brain and why persons

age differently. This brings up the Question of genetics, education, physical and mental health as
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Well as nutrition. All of these factors are being used in the research as some scientist have

concluded that all of the factors listed play a key role in this disease (Association, 2015).

Prescription drugs are being tested and used in clinical studies but as of now these drugs are

masks for the symptoms of the disease. Other studies are developing ways to detect the disease

in early stages as early detection for any disease gives some sort of hope.

Alzheimers disease steals people away from loved ones when memory is lost and one only sees

a blank stare it is detrimental. The Notebook by Nicholas sparks was a well written book about a

couple who dealt with Alzheimers. It describes in detail how one spouse reads to the other bring

back memories of their life together. It shows the mood swings and the loss of being one goes

through with the disease. It also tells of how the children want their father to start living his own

life again but his dedication to his ailing wife is endless. In reality how does one learn to live

with a loved on having an incurable disease

Having a spouse or loved one with the disease as there is no cure nor is there one true way to

prevent this is devastating. The Alzheimers association which was founded in 1980 is among

several foundations committed their research in finding a cure. There are also many resources

where caregivers can get help in caring for persons with Alzheimers. Hopefully scientists will

find a way to curb this disease in the near future as with the baby boomers aging it is inevitable

the numbers associated with the disease will rise substantially.

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References

The Alzheimers Association (2015). 10 Early signs and symptoms of Alzheimers.

Retrieved from: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp

Bane, Tabitha J., Cole, Connie. (2015). Prevention of alzhiemers disease. The roles of primary

Care, Volume 40, The Nurse Practitioner

Banner Health (2014). What research is being done for Alzheimers? Retrieved from:

http://www.bannerhealth.com

Mayo Clinic Staff (1998-2015). Alzheimers disease. Retrieved from:

www.mayoclinic.org/diseaseconditions/alzheimers-disease/basics

Waldemar, Geunhil, & Burns, Alistair (2009). Alzhiemers disease. Retrieved from:

http://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/med

WebMD. (2005-2015). Alzheimers disease health center. Retrieved from:

www.webmd.com>....>Alzheimersdiseasehealthcenter