{"id":3681,"date":"2019-04-01T17:17:57","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T17:17:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vistasolmedicalgroup.com\/?p=3681"},"modified":"2019-04-01T17:17:59","modified_gmt":"2019-04-01T17:17:59","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-alzheimers-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vistasolmedicalgroup.com\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-alzheimers-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Alzheimer\u2019s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
What is Alzheimer\u2019s disease?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s disease is a progressive form of dementia. Dementia is a broader term for conditions caused by brain injuries or diseases that negatively affect memory, thinking, and behavior. These changes interfere with daily living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, Alzheimer\u2019s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Most people with the disease get a diagnosis after age 65. If it\u2019s diagnosed before then, it\u2019s generally referred to as early onset Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no cure for Alzheimer\u2019s, but there are treatments that can slow the progression of the disease. Learn more about the basics of Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Although many people have heard of Alzheimer\u2019s disease, some aren\u2019t sure exactly what it is. Here are some facts about this condition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each person\u2019s journey with Alzheimer\u2019s disease is different. Find out more details about how Alzheimer\u2019s can affect people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dementia vs. Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The terms \u201cdementia\u201d and \u201cAlzheimer\u2019s\u201d are sometimes used interchangeably. However, these two conditions aren\u2019t the same. Alzheimer\u2019s is a type of dementia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dementia is a broader term for conditions with symptoms relating to memory loss such as forgetfulness and confusion. Dementia includes more specific conditions, such as Alzheimer\u2019s disease, Parkinson\u2019s disease, traumatic brain injury, and others, which can cause these symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Causes, symptoms, and treatments can be different for these diseases. Learn more about how dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease differ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s disease causes and risk factors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Experts haven\u2019t determined a single cause of Alzheimer\u2019s disease but they have identified certain risk factors, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having one or more of these risk factors doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019ll develop Alzheimer\u2019s disease. It simply raises your risk level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To learn more about your personal risk of developing the condition, talk with your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s and genetics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n While there\u2019s no one identifiable cause of Alzheimer\u2019s, genetics may play a key role. One gene in particular is of interest to researchers. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is a gene that\u2019s been linked to the onset of Alzheimer\u2019s symptoms in older adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blood tests can determine if you have this gene, which increases your risk of developing Alzheimer\u2019s. Keep in mind that even if someone has this gene, they may not get Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The opposite is also true: Someone may still get Alzheimer\u2019s even if they don\u2019t have the gene. There\u2019s no way to tell for sure whether someone will develop Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other genes could also increase risk of Alzheimer\u2019s and early onset Alzheimer\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms of Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Everyone has episodes of forgetfulness from time to time. But people with Alzheimer\u2019s disease display certain ongoing behaviors and symptoms that worsen over time. These can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms change according to the stage of the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s stages<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s is a progressive disease, which means the symptoms will gradually worsen over time. Alzheimer\u2019s is broken down into seven stages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a person progresses through these stages, they\u2019ll need increasing support from a caregiver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Early onset Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s typically affects people ages 65 years and older. However, it can occur in people as early as their 40s or 50s. This is called early onset, or younger onset, Alzheimer\u2019s. This type of Alzheimer\u2019s affects about 5 percent of all people with the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms of early onset Alzheimer\u2019s can include mild memory loss and trouble concentrating or finishing everyday tasks. It can be hard to find the right words, and you may lose track of time. Mild vision problems, such as trouble telling distances, can also occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain people are at greater risk of developing this condition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The only definitive way to diagnose someone with Alzheimer\u2019s disease is to examine their brain tissue after death. But your doctor can use other examinations and tests to assess your mental abilities, diagnose dementia, and rule out other conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019ll likely start by taking a medical history. They may ask about your:<\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, your doctor will likely do several tests to help determine if you have Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no definitive test for Alzheimer\u2019s disease. However, your doctor will likely do several tests to determine your diagnosis. These can be mental, physical, neurological, and imaging tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may start with a mental status test. This can help them assess your short-term memory, long-term memory, and orientation to place and time. For example, they may ask you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, they\u2019ll likely conduct a physical exam. For example, they may check your blood pressure, assess your heart rate, and take your temperature. In some cases, they may collect urine or blood samples for testing in a laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may also conduct a neurological exam to rule out other possible diagnoses, such as an acute medical issue, such as infection or stroke. During this exam, they will check your reflexes, muscle tone, and speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may also order brain-imaging studies. These studies, which will create pictures of your brain, can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other tests your doctor may do include blood tests to check for genes that may indicate you have a higher risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s medication<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no known cure for Alzheimer\u2019s disease. However, your doctor can recommend medications and other treatments to help ease your symptoms and delay the progression of the disease for as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For early to moderate Alzheimer\u2019s, your doctor may prescribe medications such as donepezil (Aricept) or rivastigmine (Exelon). These drugs can help maintain high levels of acetylcholine in your brain. This is a type of neurotransmitter that can help aid your memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To treat moderate to severe Alzheimer\u2019s, your doctor may prescribe donepezil (Aricept) or memantine (Namenda). Memantine can help block the effects of excess glutamate. Glutamate is a brain chemical that\u2019s released in higher amounts in Alzheimer\u2019s disease and damages brain cells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor may also recommend antidepressants, antianxiety medications, or antipsychotics to help treat symptoms related to Alzheimer\u2019s. These symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other Alzheimer\u2019s treatments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to medication, lifestyle changes may help you manage your condition. For example, your doctor might develop strategies to help you or your loved one:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people believe that vitamin E can help prevent decline in mental abilities, but studies indicate that more research is needed. Be sure to ask your doctor before taking vitamin E or any other supplements. It can interfere with some of the medications used to treat Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to lifestyle changes, there are several alternative options you can ask your doctor about. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Preventing Alzheimer\u2019s<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as there\u2019s no known cure for Alzheimer\u2019s, there are no foolproof preventive measures. However, researchers are focusing on overall healthy lifestyle habits as ways of preventing cognitive decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following measures may help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to talk with your doctor before making any big changes in your lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s care<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a loved one with Alzheimer\u2019s, you may consider becoming a caregiver. This is a full-time job that\u2019s typically not easy but can be very rewarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Being a caregiver takes many skills. These include patience perhaps above all, as well as creativity, stamina, and the ability to see joy in the role of helping someone you care about live the most comfortable life they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a caregiver, it\u2019s important to take care of yourself as well as your loved one. With the responsibilities of the role can come an increased risk of stress, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you choose to assume the role of caregiver, you may need to enlist the help of professional caregivers as well as family members to help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The statistics surrounding Alzheimer\u2019s disease are daunting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The takeaway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Alzheimer\u2019s is a complicated disease in which there are many unknowns. What is known is that the condition worsens over time, but treatment can help delay symptoms and improve your quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think you or a loved one may have Alzheimer\u2019s, your first step is to talk with your doctor. They can help make a diagnosis, discuss what you can expect, and help connect you with services and support. If you\u2019re interested, they can also give you information about taking part in clinical trials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n