Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is a scary thought for many seniors. Luckily, many people reach old age with their memories intact. Knowing the risks and symptoms of Alzheimer's can help you understand your own chance of developing this disease.

Details of the Disease

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common type of dementia among older Americans. People who have dementia have trouble with everyday activities. They may act confused, have trouble understanding what is said to them, or have trouble communicating their own thoughts and needs. In addition to Alzheimer's, dementia can have other causes, including stroke, infection, illness, and certain drugs.

People over 60 are most at risk for this disease. Researchers estimate that it affects as many as four million Americans. Between ages 65 and 74, about three per cent of people develop Alzheimer's. It's much more common over age 85, affecting as many as half of these older adults.

The average Alzheimer's patient lives for about eight to ten years after diagnosis. However, depending on age, general health, and the progression of the disease, some people will live for twenty years or more.

Risk Factors

Doctors don't know exactly what causes this disease, but by investigating who develops it, they can begin to predict an individual person's risk.

Age appears to be an important risk factor. The disease is much more common in people over 85 than in younger adults. After age 65, risk doubles approximately every 5 years. There are more women with this disease than men, but this may be due to women living longer.

Family history is less of a risk factor, except in rare cases of "familial Alzheimer's disease." In these families, the disease develops in adults much younger than 65, and all family members are at increased risk.

Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease

Memory problems caused by this disease begin slowly. At first, it may be easy to overlook them or to pretend that they are a normal part of aging. It's not unusual for an older adult to forget a familiar person's name now and then, or to forget having paid a bill or what was on the grocery list. But with Alzheimer's Disease, these symptoms begin to happen more and more often.

As the disease progresses, the person may forget how to do familiar tasks. Even simple things like cooking a meal or balancing a checkbook may become difficult. In later stages, people even forget how to comb their hair or brush their teeth.

People with late-stage Alzheimer's need round-the-clock care. They have trouble speaking and understanding. They may wander away from home and forget how to get back. They may be anxious or angry, especially if they have difficulty understanding what is happening around them.

Technical Details

Alzheimer's is a clinical diagnosis, meaning there is no lab test to verify whether someone has it. After a person with the disease dies, examination of the brain shows microscopic abnormalities. Clumps of tissue, called amyloid plaques, and tangles of fibers, called neurofibrillary tangles, characterize Alzheimer's disease. An autopsy may also show a shortage of brain cells devoted to memory.

Treatment

Treatments are constantly evolving. The primary goal is to keep memory as good as possible, for as long as possible. Several different medications can help slow down the disease in its early and middle stages. Unfortunately, no treatment can stop the disease from progressing eventually.

When Alzheimer's Disease symptoms include anxiety, aggressiveness or violence, insomnia, or depression, psychiatric drugs can sometimes help. A doctor can help you understand what drugs are available and what to expect from treatment.

Staying Sharp

According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, staying fit and healthy can help keep your memory strong. Here are some tips they offer for staying sharp:

• Exercise regularly. Staying in good physical shape may help to keep the brain in good shape, too.
• Minimize your TV viewing. In one study, people who watched a lot of TV did not perform as well on memory tests as people who watched less TV.
• Take up crosswords, Sudoku, or other brain-stretching games. Taking on mental challenges and learning new things may help protect the brain.
• Choose heart-healthy foods. Doctors looked at nearly 2,000 people and found that seniors who ate a healthy, Mediterranean-style diet were less likely to get Alzheimer's.

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