ALZHEIMER S DISEASE

ALZHEIMER S DISEASE
Description Diagnosis Causes Risk Factors Symptoms Medications Updates

Description
most common form of dementia among older people progressive degenerative disease of the brain from which there is no recovery a person with AD loses all memory and mental functioning

Diagnosis
Medical History and Physical Examination Laboratory Tests Neuropsychological Tests Brain-Imaging Scans

Causes
At this time, only one gene, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) has been definitively linked to lateonset Alzheimer's disease head injuries in early adulthood and Alzheimer' s development. Lower educational level

Risk Factors
Age Gender Family History Heart and Vascular Diseases Lifestyle Factors

Symptoms
Memory changes that disrupt daily life Challenges in planning or solving problems Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure Confusion about time or place Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships Language problems Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps Impaired judgment and decision making Withdrawal from work or social activities Mood and personality changes

MEDICATION
Cholinesterase inhibitors (generally used to treat mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's; donepezil is also approved for treatment of severe dementia ) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists (used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's)

Care for the Caregiver

Care for the Caregiver About 80% of patients with Alzheimer's disease are cared for by family members, who often lack adequate support, finances, or training for this difficult job. Few diseases disrupt patients and their families so completely or for so long a period of time as Alzheimer's. The patient's family endures two separate losses and grieves twice: First, they must grieve for the ongoing disappearance of the personality they recognize. Finally, the caregiver must grieve the actual death of the person.

Treatment
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer' s disease, or treatment to stop its progression or reverse the symptoms. Medications may help on a short-term basis (6 months to a few years) to slow cognitive decline. Various drug and nondrug treatments can help with behavioral symptoms, such as sleeplessness and agitation.