Alzheimer `s Disease Diagnosis

Alzheimer `s Disease Diagnosis
Alzheimer is the most common disease that affects especially older people. It is a disorder which attacks human brain, limiting ones daily activities, producing memory loss and language problems. In its early stages, this disorder has minimal symptoms that are hard to recognize. As it develops, symptoms get worse, producing drastically chances in the patient's behaviour, who won't be capable to even recognise close family members. Unfortunately there is no current cure for this disorder; however there are medicines that delay the symptoms for a limited period of time.

Even if the Alzheimer's disease can't be definitely diagnosed until after death when the brain can be examined closely, it is important to identify the possible signs of dementia that may lead to Alzheimer. Thus there are several procedures that specialists use when setting a diagnosis.

Exploring the patient's history is a technique used to evaluate whether there are any medical problems and to monitor the patient's health. When taking this test the patient is being asked a series of questions regarding the family history, personal medical history, specific difficulties in daily activities, symptoms, current illness and use of medications.

Doctors may also provide mental exams in order to test the patient's skills of solving different problems. They also test the memory level, attention and counting abilities. Thus any possible brain damages are being revealed.

A complete physical exam is also important. Doctors check the patient's hearing, blood pressure, weight, pulse, bones, muscles, heart or lungs to determine the physical conditions which provide valuable information regarding any possible complaints, helping to develop a treatment plan.

Neurological exams are also used to diagnose any sings of the Alzheimer's disease. They include examination of reflexes, movement, or coordination to determine any problems that may affect the nervous system.

Brain scanning is a highly used tool that helps specialists view any possible brain tumours or blood clots that can provide symptoms as signs to early Alzheimer's detection. Brain pictures such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or PET scan, identify any present changes in the brain which also lead to the Alzheimer's appearance.

Unfortunately there is no current treatment to cure the Alzheimer's. Suffering people are likely to live with the disease for at least 14 years long as the maximum period of time after being diagnosed. The goal of an early diagnostic is to find whether there are chances of similar symptoms that don't show the presence of the Alzheimer. If contrary, the patient is being helped to manage the disease as better as he/she can by providing adequate treatment and behavioural management plan.