Introduction
On my research paper, I chose Alzheimer’s disease as it is one of the diseases known to affect the normal reasoning of an adult. People should also acquire knowledge concerning the disease. We can get involved by doing several things to hold up Alzheimer’s research to assist in ensuring that a cure found for this deadly disease. For example, if one is taking care of someone who has Alzheimer’s, think about getting involved in a clinical trial for caregivers. We can also involve loved ones in studies that experiment new cure for this condition. I believe that this kind of studies will give the answers required to give a solution to Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's disease is a common type of dementia. It is a brain disorder that gets into the minds of the victims, leading to memory loss, impaired judgment, confusion and the incapability to communicate. The disease becomes worse as it develops meaning it is progressive. Alzheimer’s is also a fatal disease –has no cure and causes death.
A research on the disease is done and later on addressed on likely causes of Alzheimer’s; experts are yet to find out why the brain cells weaken. However, there are quite a number of factors which are recognized to be related to the higher risk of developing the disease. It has become clearer that it develops because of difficult scenes of events that transpire in the brain over a long period; therefore, development of Alzheimer might vary from person to person.
Causes
Memory troubles are usually one of the first caution symptoms of cognitive loss, probably due to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Some populaces with memory problems have a condition known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which results to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Age is another risk factor. Alzheimer's is mainly a disease that is prone to develop at old age, after the age of 65. At this age, the risk of developing the disease doubles after every 5 years. Though it does not mean that the condition is only for the old aged, even younger people can develop the condition. Gender is also a factor that causes Alzheimer’s. A higher fraction of women develop the condition than men because Alzheimer's risk develops with age and women live longer than men thus explaining the reason.
Some cases (about 7%) are linked with genes that cause the inherited familial type of disease. People who have close relative who developed Alzheimer’s have a slight risk of developing themselves. This explains why there might be cases of early age inheritance of the condition.
People with hypertension, badly controlled diabetes and high cholesterol have a higher risk of developing the condition. Aiming for your best bodyweight, eating a fit lanced diet, taking enough sleep between 7 hours to 8 hours every night and doing a lot of exercise will most likely get rid of these factors. In some cases, these factors got nothing to do with lifestyle, i.e. if one has diabetes type 1, have blood pressure for a different reason, or are prone to high blood cholesterol regardless of exercising, being the correct weight, etc., convenient managing and treatment of the situation helps to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Some other conditions and diseases have been associated to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s such as obesity, chronic inflammatory conditions, strokes and past episodes of clinical depression. The risk of developing the condition is greater for people with down’s syndrome, an additional copy of chromosome 21 which holds a protein that exist in the brain of the victims.
In addition, processed foods and fertilizers contain nitrates that are responsible for increased deaths from diseases such Alzheimer’s. Progressive human exposure to nitrites, nitrates and nitrosamines through processed foods increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
Finally, some studies have recognized a connection between head injuries and whiplash and a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
History
Alzheimer’s was revealed in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer. It was not considered a main disease until the discovery. Before the discovery, both the non-science community and scientists considered dementia as a natural development of age. Dr. Alzheimer discovered transformations in the brain tissue of a lady who died of strange mental sickness. He studied her brain and established many unusual amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Since then, tangles and plaques in the brain have been considered the two key features of Alzheimer’s.
The disease did not become a crucial concern until the late 1970s when neurological research exploded. The Alzheimer’s Association was created in 1985 to help people understand about the disorder. Currently people have understood more about the disease and have accepted it as a disorder and less as a normal function of getting old, even though age is still a risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Transmission
Alzheimer’s disease only spreads through heredity. Having a sister, brother, parent, grandparent or any other close relative with the condition increases the possibility that one might be more probable to get the disease. Just like cancer, Alzheimer’s is a serious problem that arises impulsively in the body and is not essentially spread from one individual to another. However, the risk factors increase the possibility of contracting Alzheimer’s.
Statistics
Alzheimer’s disease is most widespread in the United States (US) where more than 5 million citizens are alleged to have the condition. By the year 2050, as the U.S populace ages, it is approximated that the number might go up to 15 million. In the entire world, just about 36 million people are alleged to be living with the condition or dementia. The number is estimated to go up to 65.7 million by the year 2030 and 115.4 million by the year 2050.
There are extremely massive financial costs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. ADR-Alzheimer's disease Research of the American Health Assistance Foundation seeks to prevent this tidal wave through funding research to get a cure.
Organs Affected
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain tissue thus the loss of memory and problems in learning. The amyloid plaques comprising of pieces of dead brain cells and precise proteins, gradually mount up in the brain tissue. A protein also known as tau accumulates strangely, causing brain cells to fail and finally die.
Alzheimer’s badly affects the digestive system in many ways. On advanced Alzheimer’s swallowing problems usually occur. People regularly have eating difficulties with no chocking. They also lose the capability to use their muscles in decisive ways thus decline in the neuromuscular system. That is why some people lose their capability to walk.
Signs and Symptoms
One of the main family signs of Alzheimer’s is loss of memory, particularly forgetting lately learned information and forgetting vital events or dates. They keep on asking for similar information over and over thus depending on memory aides. Some people are likely to go through adjustments in their ability to develop and pursue a plan with numbers. When suffering from Alzheimer’s we frequently find it difficult to finish the normal daily tasks. Sometimes people might have problems driving to a well-known location and even forgetting basic rules of a favorite game.
The temper and personality of a person with Alzheimer’s might change. They may become stressed, doubtful, confused, afraid or nervous and could easily upset at work or even at home. In addition, some have problems to understand visual images and spatial relationships.
Treatment
Treatment is being focused on slowing the symptoms and managing behavioral symptoms as there is no cure for the disease. This means medication is being used to sluggish down the development of the disease. Doctors prescribe medications such as neurotransmitters, i.e. cholinesterase inhibitors, insulin, memantine, stem cells and ACE inhibitors.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that convey neurologic information from one cell to a different one. Cholinesterase inhibitors contain a chemical that slow down the cholinesterase enzyme from failing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine hence a rise in the time of action and neurotransmitter's level. It is prescribed to heal problems associated with language, memory, judgment and thinking.
Memantine guard brain cells from damage caused by a chemical messenger known as glutamate. It is prescribed to improve reasoning ability, memory, attention, language and capability to do ordinary tasks. Insulin protects against harm to brain cells key to memory and ACE inhibitors can decrease inflammation that may result to development of the condition.
Social, Political and Economic
People around the world have become deeply aware of Alzheimer’s condition and are not only insisting on government response to come up with ways to prevent or even cure the disease but also rising social responses to affected individuals and families.
The cost of maintaining people living with Alzheimer’s has become higher. Many people also are not in a position to purchase the medication that we need to slow down the disease. This results in vast cases of people with the condition. Governments are also involved as they help in finding a cure by proving funds to researchers who are searching for a cure.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease has no known cure. People with this disease likely live with the condition for 8 - 10 years although they can live with it for up to twenty five years. Taking care of someone with the disease may be demanding and caregivers ought to take advantage of society services and request support when overwhelmed.
References
Shriver, M., Skelton, K., Fetherling, D., Hickey, M., & Alzheimer's Association. (2011). Alzheimer's in America: The Shriver report on women and Alzheimer's : a study. New York: Free Press.
Petersen, R. C., & Mayo Clinic. (2002). Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's disease. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic.
Brill, M. T. (2005). Alzheimer's disease. New York: Benchmark Books.
Altman, L. J. (2001). Alzheimer's disease. San Diego, Calif: Lucent Books.
Abraham, I. L. (2006). Alzheimer's disease. Philadelphia: Saunders.
On my research paper, I chose Alzheimer’s disease as it is one of the diseases known to affect the normal reasoning of an adult. People should also acquire knowledge concerning the disease. We can get involved by doing several things to hold up Alzheimer’s research to assist in ensuring that a cure found for this deadly disease. For example, if one is taking care of someone who has Alzheimer’s, think about getting involved in a clinical trial for caregivers. We can also involve loved ones in studies that experiment new cure for this condition. I believe that this kind of studies will give the answers required to give a solution to Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's disease is a common type of dementia. It is a brain disorder that gets into the minds of the victims, leading to memory loss, impaired judgment, confusion and the incapability to communicate. The disease becomes worse as it develops meaning it is progressive. Alzheimer’s is also a fatal disease –has no cure and causes death.
A research on the disease is done and later on addressed on likely causes of Alzheimer’s; experts are yet to find out why the brain cells weaken. However, there are quite a number of factors which are recognized to be related to the higher risk of developing the disease. It has become clearer that it develops because of difficult scenes of events that transpire in the brain over a long period; therefore, development of Alzheimer might vary from person to person.
Causes
Memory troubles are usually one of the first caution symptoms of cognitive loss, probably due to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Some populaces with memory problems have a condition known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which results to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Age is another risk factor. Alzheimer's is mainly a disease that is prone to develop at old age, after the age of 65. At this age, the risk of developing the disease doubles after every 5 years. Though it does not mean that the condition is only for the old aged, even younger people can develop the condition. Gender is also a factor that causes Alzheimer’s. A higher fraction of women develop the condition than men because Alzheimer's risk develops with age and women live longer than men thus explaining the reason.
Some cases (about 7%) are linked with genes that cause the inherited familial type of disease. People who have close relative who developed Alzheimer’s have a slight risk of developing themselves. This explains why there might be cases of early age inheritance of the condition.
People with hypertension, badly controlled diabetes and high cholesterol have a higher risk of developing the condition. Aiming for your best bodyweight, eating a fit lanced diet, taking enough sleep between 7 hours to 8 hours every night and doing a lot of exercise will most likely get rid of these factors. In some cases, these factors got nothing to do with lifestyle, i.e. if one has diabetes type 1, have blood pressure for a different reason, or are prone to high blood cholesterol regardless of exercising, being the correct weight, etc., convenient managing and treatment of the situation helps to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Some other conditions and diseases have been associated to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s such as obesity, chronic inflammatory conditions, strokes and past episodes of clinical depression. The risk of developing the condition is greater for people with down’s syndrome, an additional copy of chromosome 21 which holds a protein that exist in the brain of the victims.
In addition, processed foods and fertilizers contain nitrates that are responsible for increased deaths from diseases such Alzheimer’s. Progressive human exposure to nitrites, nitrates and nitrosamines through processed foods increase the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.
Finally, some studies have recognized a connection between head injuries and whiplash and a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
History
Alzheimer’s was revealed in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer. It was not considered a main disease until the discovery. Before the discovery, both the non-science community and scientists considered dementia as a natural development of age. Dr. Alzheimer discovered transformations in the brain tissue of a lady who died of strange mental sickness. He studied her brain and established many unusual amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Since then, tangles and plaques in the brain have been considered the two key features of Alzheimer’s.
The disease did not become a crucial concern until the late 1970s when neurological research exploded. The Alzheimer’s Association was created in 1985 to help people understand about the disorder. Currently people have understood more about the disease and have accepted it as a disorder and less as a normal function of getting old, even though age is still a risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Transmission
Alzheimer’s disease only spreads through heredity. Having a sister, brother, parent, grandparent or any other close relative with the condition increases the possibility that one might be more probable to get the disease. Just like cancer, Alzheimer’s is a serious problem that arises impulsively in the body and is not essentially spread from one individual to another. However, the risk factors increase the possibility of contracting Alzheimer’s.
Statistics
Alzheimer’s disease is most widespread in the United States (US) where more than 5 million citizens are alleged to have the condition. By the year 2050, as the U.S populace ages, it is approximated that the number might go up to 15 million. In the entire world, just about 36 million people are alleged to be living with the condition or dementia. The number is estimated to go up to 65.7 million by the year 2030 and 115.4 million by the year 2050.
There are extremely massive financial costs associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. ADR-Alzheimer's disease Research of the American Health Assistance Foundation seeks to prevent this tidal wave through funding research to get a cure.
Organs Affected
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain tissue thus the loss of memory and problems in learning. The amyloid plaques comprising of pieces of dead brain cells and precise proteins, gradually mount up in the brain tissue. A protein also known as tau accumulates strangely, causing brain cells to fail and finally die.
Alzheimer’s badly affects the digestive system in many ways. On advanced Alzheimer’s swallowing problems usually occur. People regularly have eating difficulties with no chocking. They also lose the capability to use their muscles in decisive ways thus decline in the neuromuscular system. That is why some people lose their capability to walk.
Signs and Symptoms
One of the main family signs of Alzheimer’s is loss of memory, particularly forgetting lately learned information and forgetting vital events or dates. They keep on asking for similar information over and over thus depending on memory aides. Some people are likely to go through adjustments in their ability to develop and pursue a plan with numbers. When suffering from Alzheimer’s we frequently find it difficult to finish the normal daily tasks. Sometimes people might have problems driving to a well-known location and even forgetting basic rules of a favorite game.
The temper and personality of a person with Alzheimer’s might change. They may become stressed, doubtful, confused, afraid or nervous and could easily upset at work or even at home. In addition, some have problems to understand visual images and spatial relationships.
Treatment
Treatment is being focused on slowing the symptoms and managing behavioral symptoms as there is no cure for the disease. This means medication is being used to sluggish down the development of the disease. Doctors prescribe medications such as neurotransmitters, i.e. cholinesterase inhibitors, insulin, memantine, stem cells and ACE inhibitors.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that convey neurologic information from one cell to a different one. Cholinesterase inhibitors contain a chemical that slow down the cholinesterase enzyme from failing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine hence a rise in the time of action and neurotransmitter's level. It is prescribed to heal problems associated with language, memory, judgment and thinking.
Memantine guard brain cells from damage caused by a chemical messenger known as glutamate. It is prescribed to improve reasoning ability, memory, attention, language and capability to do ordinary tasks. Insulin protects against harm to brain cells key to memory and ACE inhibitors can decrease inflammation that may result to development of the condition.
Social, Political and Economic
People around the world have become deeply aware of Alzheimer’s condition and are not only insisting on government response to come up with ways to prevent or even cure the disease but also rising social responses to affected individuals and families.
The cost of maintaining people living with Alzheimer’s has become higher. Many people also are not in a position to purchase the medication that we need to slow down the disease. This results in vast cases of people with the condition. Governments are also involved as they help in finding a cure by proving funds to researchers who are searching for a cure.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease has no known cure. People with this disease likely live with the condition for 8 - 10 years although they can live with it for up to twenty five years. Taking care of someone with the disease may be demanding and caregivers ought to take advantage of society services and request support when overwhelmed.
References
Shriver, M., Skelton, K., Fetherling, D., Hickey, M., & Alzheimer's Association. (2011). Alzheimer's in America: The Shriver report on women and Alzheimer's : a study. New York: Free Press.
Petersen, R. C., & Mayo Clinic. (2002). Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer's disease. Rochester, MN: Mayo Clinic.
Brill, M. T. (2005). Alzheimer's disease. New York: Benchmark Books.
Altman, L. J. (2001). Alzheimer's disease. San Diego, Calif: Lucent Books.
Abraham, I. L. (2006). Alzheimer's disease. Philadelphia: Saunders.
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