Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that affects more than five million individuals in the United States. This number could rise as high as sixteen million by 2050 (Alzheimer's Association, 2017). Symptoms of dementias include progressive memory loss and decrease in cognitive abilities and social skills. Alzheimer's Disease makes up 60 - 80% of the dementias experienced (2017). The cause of Alzheimer's Disease is the degeneration and death of brain cells. Plaques made up of Beta-amyloid protein damage and destroy the brain cells. The plaques also interrupt communication between cells. Threads of Tau protein within the brain carry nutrients throughout the brain. The threads becoming tangled decreases nutrients reaching brain cells, which contribute to the death of the brain cells (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
The first symptoms of Alzheimer's include forgetfulness and confusion. At a rate that is individual, the symptoms progress and worsen. As the disease progresses, memory losses can affect lives in ways such as:
- Repeating statements and questions
- Forget everyday events such as conversations, appointments or events
- Misplacing possessions
- Getting lost, even in familiar places
- Forgetting names of family and friends
- Difficulty in identifying objects or expressing thoughts (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
Symptoms also include difficulty in identifying and thinking effectively responding to activities of daily living, performing activities with sequential steps and changes in behavior and personality. These changes include:
- Depression
- Apathy
- Social withdrawal
- Mood Swings
- Distrust in others
- Irritability
- Aggressiveness
- Changes in sleeping habits
- Wandering
- Loss of inhibitions
- Delusions (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
Alzheimer's is diagnosed through a medical history, mental status test, mood testing, physical and neurological exam, and blood and brain imaging tests that rule out other disorders. Risk factors include:
- Age
- Family history
- Down Syndrome
- Sex
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Past head trauma
- Lifestyle and heart health
- Lifelong learning and social engagement (Mayo Clinic, 2018).
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease, there are treatments. There are medications used to treat memory loss, behavior changes, and sleep changes (Alzheimer's Association, 2017). A safe and Supportive environment should also be established.
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Alzheimer's Association. (2017) Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Alzheimer's Association. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_diagnosis.asp
Alzheimer's Association. (2017) Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimer's Association. Retrieved from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_treatments.asp
Mayo Clinic (2018) Alzheimer's Disease. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350453
