Learning About Alzheimer's Disease

© Copyright 2003 Women's Edition ®
Reprinted with the express written permission of Women's Edition, Inc.
By Anna LeFevere

Although I don't think of my mother as "old," I know that she's getting older. She prefers knitting and sewing to more active hobbies, and she sometimes experiences "senior moments," which usually involve misplaced car keys. However, as she ages I do worry about the frequency of these forgetful times and the onset of Alzheimer's disease. What exactly is the disease? How will I be able to tell if she's developing Alzheimer's? Is there anything that can be done to prevent and treat the condition?

Alzheimer's Disease is a brain disorder that impairs areas of the brain that control thought, memory and language. The condition is named after German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who in 1906 noticed abnormal clumps and tangled bundles of fibers in the brain tissue of a women who died of an unusual mental illness. Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain are considered the key signs of Alzheimer's. In addition to these abnormalities, physicians have found a depletion of nerve cells in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and mental abilities and lower levels of vital chemicals in the brain that carry complex messages between nerve cells.

It's estimated that up to 4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's. The disease usually begins after age 60, with the risk of developing the disease increasing with age. The course of Alzheimer's differs significantly from person to person; on average, patients live from eight to 10 years after they are diagnosed, though the disease can last for as many as 20 years. It begins with mild memory problems and escalates to severe brain damage.

Although Alzheimer's disease and dementia are used interchangeably, Alzheimer's is actually a common form of dementia — the most common type among older adults. The term dementia describes a group of symptoms that are caused by changes in brain function. These symptoms may include asking the same questions repeatedly, becoming lost in familiar places, being unable to follow directions, getting disoriented about time, people and places, and neglecting personal safety, hygiene and nutrition. People with dementia lose their cognitive abilities at different rates, and the condition may be brought on by many factors. Some things that contribute to the onset of dementia can be reversed, such as high fever, dehydration, vitamin deficiency and poor nutrition, bad reactions to medication, problems with the thyroid gland or a minor head injury. Also, older people sometimes have emotional problems that can be mistake for dementia. Feeling sad, lonely, worried or bored are common for older people facing retirement or coping with the death of a spouse, and adapting to these changes can leave them feeling confused and forgetful. These emotional problems can be addressed through the support of a professional counselor and caring friends and family.

Although the cause of Alzheimer's Disease is not fully understood, physicians and researchers learn more about the disease every day. Age is currently the most important risk factor for Alzheimer's, as the number of people with the disease doubles every five years beyond age 65. Since family history is a contributing factor, it is believed that genetics may also play a role.

Alzheimer's is oftentimes not diagnosed for a long time, since the disease begins slowly. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness which many people chalk up to as common "senior moments." Individuals with Alzheimer's disease have an increasingly difficult time remembering recent events, activities and the names of familiar people. While these difficulties may be somewhat bothersome from time to time, they're not serious enough to cause alarm. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms become drastic enough to cause people with the disease (and their family members) to seek medical attention. People with Alzheimer's Disease forget how to do simple tasks, like brushing their teeth or combing their hair. They can no longer think clearly and begin to experience difficulty speaking, understanding, reading or writing. In the later stages, people with Alzheimer's may become anxious or aggressive and wander away from home.

To diagnose someone with Alzheimer's Disease, physicians use several tools. They begin with a complete medical history. This is followed by medical tests, such as blood, urine or spinal fluid, in order to rule out other diseases that could be causing symptoms. Finally, neuropsychological tests measure memory, problem solving, attention, counting and language, while a brain scan allows a picture of the brain to be taken to see any abnormalities.

Although there is no panacea that can stop the inevitable outcome of Alzheimer's Disease, some people in the early and middle stages of the disease can take medications to help slow its progress and control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety and depression. Treating these symptoms often makes patients more comfortable, while significantly improving quality of life for caregivers. Scientists are testing a number of different drugs to see if they prevent or slow the progression of the disease. Anti-inflammatory drugs are being investigated, since there is evidence that inflammation in the brain may contribute to Alzheimer's damage. Research also has shown that vitamin E slows the progress of some Alzheimer's symptoms by about seven months.

If you or a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's disease, be sure to seek medical attention. There may be options available to help slow down the progression of the disease, and research studies to participate in. Also, it may be a good idea to look into long-term care. There are residences that specialize in caring for Alzheimer's patients, providing a safe and caring environment for a baffling and difficult disease.

Hopefully one day we will have many more answers than questions about Alzheimer's Disease, in order to improve the sunset of life for millions of adults. Until then, let's live every day to the fullest and enjoy the time that we have.