Alzheimer?s is a disease that destroys the nerve cells particularly those in the brain; it is the most common form of dementia and the risk of getting it increases with age. It is thought that currently over 18 million people throughout the world suffer from this disease.
No cure is available for Alzheimer?s disease or indeed for any other form of dementia though many of the symptoms that Alzheimer?s present can be treated in the early stages.
Signs to look for of the Onset of Alzheimer?s
Some of the most common symptoms to look for in the onset of the disease are loss of memory, confusion, attention span, difficulties with talking and mood swings. The memory loss associated with Alzheimer?s is different from the forgetfulness that most of suffer at some time or other, we can all walk up stairs for something and have forgotten what it was by the time we got up there.
Memory loss in the onset of Alzheimer?s is due to the deterioration of brain and nerve cells which carry messages to the brain, the onset of Alzheimer?s may cause the one stricken by the disease to forget events that happened recently. The sufferer nay also forget the names and faces of people, many of whom they are especially close to.
Confusion will often start to occur even in the most routine of tasks, little things that the sufferer has done every single day of there life such as handling money, where they could easily make change before all senses of monetary value may be lost at times. They may start to go out say to do some shopping but once outside may completely forget and wander around aimlessly in confusion.
The person may begin to show personality changes, the once proud person who wouldn?t venture outside her home without taking great care of her appearance may suddenly appear dishevelled. Quite often the sufferer will hurt those most close to them by seemingly not caring about them any longer, the sufferer may forget there names and even there relationship to that person.
This can b! e most u psetting to the son or daughter of that person before realising why their mother or father is been this way. What will happen as the disease progresses? There are three main stages in Alzheimer?s disease and each gets progressively worse over time.
Stage one of the disease will bring about the early loss of memory, confusion and changes in behaviour. This will lead way to the memory loss becoming worse until it is significantly affecting decisions. By stage two the sufferer is increasingly disorientated with speech and thought becoming slower, confusion will have become a major issue with the sufferer often wandering from there home environment and getting lost.
As the disease advances the sufferer will not know what day it is, who they are and who the closest members of there family are. During the final stage 3 the sufferer will not be able to feed themselves, take care of there personal needs and will need 24 hour care.
They are increasingly susceptible to infections and will most probably become bedridden. Alzheimer?s is particularly cruel disease perhaps more so for those that are caring for the person suffering and especially in the early stages when there is no understanding of what is happening to our loved ones.
It is important that should you have a family member who has Alzheimer?s it isn?t set in stone that you personally have to take your ailing parent under your wing. Your family member will need more care than you alone can possibly give them and there is no shame is asking for help and you shouldn?t feel a sense of guilt or think you have let your parent down in any way.
Copyright Memorystudy.org 2006
Memorystudy.org - your guide to Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Memorystudy.org - Alzheimer's & Dementia Guide
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