Facts About Alzheimer's Disease

"Alzheimer's Disease" is the term used to describe a dementing

disorder marked by certain brain changes, regardless of the age

of onset.  Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of aging --

and it is not something that inevitable happens in later life. 

Rather, it is one of the dementing disorders, a group of brain

diseases that lead to the loss of mental and physical functions. 

The disorder, whole cause is unknown, affects a small but

significant percentage of older Americans.  A very small minority

of alzheimer's patients are under 50 years of age.  However, most

are over 65.

Alzheimer's disease is the exception, rather than the rule, in

old age.  Only 5 to 6 percent of older people are afflicted by

alzheimer's disease or a related dementia - - but this means

approximately 3 to 4 million Americans have one of these

debilitating disorders.  Research indicates that 1 percent of

the population aged 65-75 has severe dementia, increasing to 7

percent of those aged 75-85 and to 25 percent of those 85 or

older.  As out population ages and the number of alzheimer's

patients increases, costs of care will rise as well.

Although Alzheimer's disease is not yet curable or reversible,

there are ways to alleviate symptoms and suffering and to assist

families.  And not every person with this illness must necessarily

move to a nursing home.  Many thousands of patients - - especially

those in the early stages of the disease - - are cared for by their

families in the community.  Indeed, one of the most important

aspects of medical management is family education and family support

services.  When, or whether, to transfer a patient to a nursing home

is a decision to be carefully considered by the family.

The onset of Alzheimer's disease is usually very slow and gradual,

seldom occurring before age 65.  Over time, however, it follows a

progressively more serious course.  Among the symptoms that

typically develop, none is unique to Alzheimer's disease at its

various stages.  It is therefore essential for suspicious changes to

be thoroughly evaluated before they become inappropriately or

negligently labeled Alzheimer's disease.

Problems of memory, particularly recent or short-term memory, are

common early in the course of the disease.  For example, the

individual may, on repeated occasions, forget to turn off the iron

or may not recall which of the morning's medicines were taken.  Mild

personality changes, such as less spontaneity or a sense of apathy

and a tendency to withdraw from social interactions, may occur early

in the illness.  As the disease progresses, problems in abstract

thinking or in intellectual functioning develop.  You may notice the

individual beginning to have trouble with figures when working on

bills, with understanding what is being read, or with organizing the

days work.  Further disturbances in behavior and appearance may also

be seen at this point, such as agitation, irritability,

quarrelsomeness, and diminishing ability to dress appropriately.

The average course of the disease from the time it is recognized to

death is about 6 to 8 years, but it may range from under 2 years to

over 20 years.  Those who develop the disorder later in life may die

from other illnesses (such as heart disease) before Alzheimer's

disease reaches its final and most serious stage.

The reaction of an individual to the illness and the way he or she

copes with it also varies and may depend on such factors as lifelong

personality patterns and the nature and severity of the stress in

the immediate environment.

As research on Alzheimer's disease continues, scientists are now

describing other abnormal chemical changes associated with the

disease.  These include nerve cell degeneration in certain areas of

the brain.  Also, defects in certain blood vessels supplying blood

to the brain have been studied as a possible contributing factor.

There is no way at the present time to determine who may get

Alzheimer's disease.  The main risk factor for the disease is

increased age.  The rates of the disease increase markedly with

advancing age, with 25 percent of people over 85 suffering from

Alzheimer's or other sever dementia.

Other things often noticeable may be depression, severe uneasiness,

and paranoia or delusions that accompany or result from the disease,

but they can often be alleviated by appropriate treatments.

Alzheimer's disease has emerged as one of the great mysteries in

modern day medicine, with a growing number of clues but still no

answers as to its cause.  Researchers have come up with a number

of theories about the cause of this disease but so far the mystery

remains unresolved.

Because of the many other disorders that are often confused with

Alzheimer's disease, a comprehensive clinical evaluation is essential

to arrive at a correct diagnosis of any symptoms that look similar to

those of Alzheimer's disease.  In most cases, the family physician can

be consulted about the best way to get the necessary examinations.

Stress on the family can take a toll on both the patient and the

caregiver alike.  Caregivers are usually family members - - either

spouses or children - - and usually wives and daughters.  As time

passes and the burden mounts, it not only places the mental health

of family caregivers at risk.  It also diminishes their ability to

provide care to the diseased patient.  Hence, assistance to the

family as a whole must be considered.

As the disease progresses, families experience increasing anxiety

and pain at seeing unsettling changes in a loved one, and they

commonly feel guilt over not being able to do enough.   The

prevalence of reactive depression among family members in this

situation is disturbingly high - - caregivers are chronically

stressed and are much more likely to suffer from depression than

the average person.  If caregivers have been forced to retire from

positions outside the home.  They feel progressively more isolated

and no longer productive members of society.

The likelihood, intensity, and duration of depression among

caregivers can all be lowered through available interventions. 

For example, to the extent that family members can offer emotional

support to each other and perhaps seek professional consultation,

they will be better prepared to help their loved one manage the

illness and to recognize the limits of what they themselves can

reasonably do.

Though Alzheimer's disease cannot at present be cured, reversed,

or stopped in its progression, much can be done to help both the

patient and the family live through the course of the illness with

greater dignity and less discomfort.  Toward this goal, appropriate

clinical interventions and community services should be vigorously

sought.

While Alzheimer's disease remains a mystery, with its cause and

cure not yet found, there is considerable excitement and hope

about new findings that are unfolding in numerous research settings.