Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's ability to carry out daily activities. AD begins slowly. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language.
Over time, symptoms get worse. Not
recognize family members or have trouble speaking, reading or writing. They may forget how to brush their teeth or comb their hair. Later on, they may become
anxious
or
aggressive,
wander away from home.
or
You are more likely to get AD if you:
Are older. But developing AD is not a part of normal aging. Have a close relative, such as a brother, sister, or parent, with AD. Have certain genes linked to AD.
The following may also increase the risk:
Being female Having heart and blood vessel problems due to, for example, high cholesterol History of head trauma
There are two types of AD:
Early onset AD: Symptoms appear before age 60.
This type is much less common than late onset. It tends to get worse quickly. Early onset disease can run in families. Several genes have been identified.
Late onset AD: This is the most common type. It
occurs in people age 60 and older. It may run in some families, but the role of genes is less clear.
AD symptoms include difficulty with many areas of
mental function, including: 1.
Neuronal degeneration
2.
Emotional behavior or personality
3.
Thinking and judgment (cognitive skills)
4.
Language and Memory
5.
Memory loss
6.
Perception
A skilled health care provider can often diagnose
AD with the following steps: Complete physical exam, including nervous
system exam Asking about the person's medical history and
symptoms Mental
function
examination)
tests
(mental
status
A diagnosis of AD is made when certain symptoms
are present, and by making sure other causes of dementia are not present. CT or MRI of the brain may be done to look for other causes of dementia, such as a brain tumor or stroke. The only way to know for certain that someone has AD is to examine a sample of their brain tissue after death.
Medicines are used to:
Slow the rate at which symptoms worsen, though benefit with these drugs may be small Control problems with behavior, such as loss of judgment or confusion
There is no cure for AD. The goals of treatment are:
Slow the progression of the disease (although this
is difficult to do) Manage symptoms, such as behavior problems, confusion, and sleep problems
Change the home environment to make daily
activities easier
Support family members and other caregivers
Although there is no proven way to prevent AD,
there are some measures that may help prevent or slow the onset of Alzheimer disease. These include keeping a low-fat diet and eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids. Getting physical exercise and staying mentally and socially active also seem to help.