How People Are Affected by Alzheimer's Disease, Diagnosis and Treatment

Alzheimer's disease is one of the common types of mental disorders or dementia, and it affects more than half of all dementia sufferers. It is caused by the loss of brain cells, which is probably related to an imbalance of the neurotransmitters or chemical messengers in the brain.

What are the effects of Alzheimer's Disease

With time, mental abilities starts deteriorating and sufferers get confused about date, time and location. It also involves forgetting important things, becoming sluggish and neglecting personal hygiene. Sufferer tend to try to re-live the past, their conversation becomes repetitive and their personality becomes altered while they develop uncharacteristic or odd behaviors. They may also find it difficult to remember family members, friends and neighbors. Later on, the sufferers lose insight and are not conscious of their troubles, which make it hard for the caregivers and the family to look after them.

How does the disease progress?

Alzheimer's disease progresses and deteriorates with time and ultimately leads to death within a span of 7 to 10 years. However, the rate of progression of the disease varies from individual to individual. For some people, the illness tends to progress slowly and continues for many years, while for others the illness progresses rapidly and leads to an early death.

Proper Diagnosis

There are a number of medical conditions like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, anxiety and depression, which can mimic this disease. Hence, it is vital to consult a doctor if any elderly person is suspected to have an Alzheimer's disease.

Treatments for Alzheimer's disease

In recent years, countless research has been done on Alzheimer's disease, but a cure is still very far away. Some treatments, such as galantamine (Reminyl), rivastigmine (Exelon) and donepezil (Aricept) are available nowadays for treating poor sleep, behavioral disturbance, depression and agitation. These treatments do have beneficial effects on some patients. The medicines mentioned above acts on the neurotransmitters or chemical messengers in the brain and hence it is prescribed by both general doctors and specialists.
It has also been found that gingko biloba, the food supplement, can prove to be helpful for the patients suffering with Alzheimer's disease.

Always keep in mind that not every old person, who is becoming forgetful with time is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, hence proper diagnosis from a health care expert or from a hospital is necessary to determine if the patient is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

References
1. Alzheimer's Disease. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease
2. The Big Book of Health Tips. The editors of FC&A Publishing .FC&A Publishing