Alzheimers Disease Essay -- Alzheimers Disease Essays

Alzheimers DiseaseAlzheimers unsoundness is a complex unsoundness that affects the intellect tissue directly and undergoes gradual memory and behavioral changes which makes it sticky to diagnose. It is cognize to be the most common form of dework forcetia and is irreversible. oer four million older Ameri toilets have Alzheimers, and that number is expected to triplex in the next twenty years as more(prenominal) than good deal live into their eighties and nineties. (Johnson, 1989). There is still no cure for Alzheimers but throughout the past few years a bundle of progress has been made.Doctors need a sure way to diagnose the disease before treatment or studies can be through. The diagnosis is an autopsy of brain tissue examined under a microscope. In addition, medical history, a physical exam, and mental status tests atomic number 18 used for diagnosis (Posen, 1995). Often, tests are done to rule out other potential causes of the dementia. This allows the identification of other causes of thinking and behavioral changes to be made before concluding that the diligent has Alzheimers or another form of dementia. The tests that are requested to be done include CT and MRI scans to rule out strokes or brain tumors which could account for change in memory and behavior thyroid and psychological tests which can also detect thinking and behavior problems (Posen, 1995).Alzheimers is a result from a combination of factors that cause progressive brain deterioration that affects the memory and behavior of an individual. There are two k nown risk factors. The first risk factor is age. Alzheimers usually affects raft older than 60, and rarely affects those younger than 40. The average age ALZHEIMERS 3 of diagnosis is nigh 80 years old (Johnson, 1989). The incidence is about the same for all races, but women are more likely than men to develop the disease, because they live longer. The second factor is heredity. Family history plays a single-valued function i n about forty percent of passel with early intrusion of Alzheimers (Johnson, 1989). If your parents or a sibling developed the disease, you are more likely to, as well. But there are cases of families with several people who have had this disease and other members are not affected. These two factors are the only proven factors, but environmental research is being done to help with a achievable protective effect for the disease. As of now, more research is needed to confirm any be... ...sion of the disease. In addition, the risk factors and contraceptive device measures are quite clear. These can help those who are unaware of what Alzheimers disease is or how it progresses. Future studies may prove to be well(p) in preventing the occurrence of Alzheimers, or at least the severity of its progression. communicate people of this disease, the risk factors, and preventive measures at a younger age, can only prove beneficial in the decrease or possible elimination of this physically and mentally altering disease. Living a wholesome life now can only increase your chances of having a fitter life in old age. ALZHEIMERS 6 Remember A rolling stone gathers no moss, So exercise your brain now to reduce future loss.ALZHEIMERS 7ReferencesJohnson, Barbara S. (1989). Psychiatric mental health. (2nd ed.). bracing York. J.B. Lippincott Company.Posen, P.B (1995, Apr.). Alzheimers disease. www.document. (Visited March 12, 2000). universal resource locatorHttp//www.mayo.edu/research/alzheimers.center.Wallace, Robert. (1998, March). Alzheimers disease. www.document. (Visited March 12, 2000). URL Http//www.alzheimers.org/pubs/adfact.htm).