Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a medical neurological disease that is often associated with the baby boomers. It is a degenerative disease that affects cognition and memory with the symptoms progressing over a period of 7-10 years, rendering the sufferer incapable of recognizing people close to them, remembering much about their lives, incoherent speech, poor movement coordination, and inability to use the toilet on their own. Note that Alzheimer's disease doesn't kill someone directly but makes them unable to take care of themselves, hence making them vulnerable to other diseases that may significantly lead to death.
Alzheimer's disease is quite difficult to diagnose as there is no single test that can clearly diagnose the disease even though imaging technology is designed to detect the tangles and plagues of Alzheimer's disease. As such, a thorough diagnostic workup is needed to rule out all possible causes of an individual's Alzheimer's like symptoms with the hope of reversing or treating the condition. If the cause of the disease isn't treatable or reversible, the aim is to help the individual manage the symptoms through behavior management and medical treatments. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease includes the following:-
- Medical History - this covers questions about previous illnesses, previous surgeries or injuries, and any current chronic conditions so that the possible causes of Alzheimer's-like symptoms could be identified
- Medication history - covers allergies, any side effects from previous medications, and current medications and dosages the patient is using. This helps in determining future prescription as well as identifying an overdosage or medical interaction that may cause the symptoms
- Mood evaluation - covers assessment of depression or anxiety which may create Alzheimer's-like symptoms in baby boomers and occur concomitantly with the disease.
- Mental status exam - this is a research-based set of questions that include the assessment of concentration, memory and other cognitive skills where the resulting score shows an overall level of impairment.
- Complete physical examination - this assesses all the basic indicators of the disease and health such as blood pressure, vision, hearing, pulse, etc.
- Laboratory tests - the tests will vary depending on the current symptoms one is exhibiting with the most common being blood test and urinalysis.
- Neurological examination - assesses the motor system - gait, reflexes, sensory functioning etc
- Imaging procedures - detailed photos of the brain like MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging), CT scan (computed tomography), and PET scan (positron emission tomography) to help identify the changes in the structure or size of the brain that could indicate Alzheimer's or other brain-linked conditions like hydrocephalus, strokes, blood clots, brain tumors, etc.
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's Dementia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alzheimer's Dementia. Show all posts
Monday, June 23, 2014
Alzheimer's Disease Prevalence
Alzheimer's Disease Prevalence
It is estimated that the worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will increase drastically within the next 40- 50 years, which will cause a lot of concern for families, governments and the healthcare system of the country.
The 2009 World Alzheimer Report, released by Alzheimer's Disease International, a nonprofit federation of 71 national Alzheimer organizations, estimates that the global prevalence of dementia, predicted to be more than 35 million in 2010, will almost double every 20 years to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
This report shows the need for government's nation wide to make Alzheimer's disease and other related disease a priority and expand and focus on research that can provide a solution for this disease. Countries in the developed world should invest more on research facilities in comparison to developing countries.
It is important for governments and communities in the world to create awareness of the Alzheimer's disease. There are several developing countries that universally dedicate the year for those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, as a tribute.
The prevalence of patients with Alzheimer's disease in the regions of Asia, Africa, and South America show a 10% increase. Reports show that individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia and related diseases, come from low and middle class income countries, however, the number of cases is expected to rise.
Other high class income countries enjoy a longer life expectancy due to better healthcare facilities and awareness.
"The prevalence is increasing because the population is aging and people are living to an older age, but also because people are more aware of the illness and we are becoming better able to identify who is demented and who is not in these countries," said John M. Ringman, MD, assistant director, Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, and associate clinical professor, Department of Neurology, University of California-Los Angeles.
Here are some of the recommendations made by researchers on the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease,
Access and better facilities for patients suffering from related illness, especially patients in the rural communities
Provide cultural support, i.e. language and respect of certain customs and tradition while offering the proper treatment and awareness. Some ethnic groups may find the approach offensive and unproductive due to ignorance.
Focus and accelerate the research process. Increase the investment into research and investing in state of the art technology may help increase the chances of finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease and other related diseases.
Reduce the stigma associated with the disease among communities and people all over the world. This disease is not taboo and should not affect the patients' social status, and caste.
The Alzheimer's Association is the pioneer health organization that has dedicated itself to finding preventive methods, treatment and the ultimate cure for Alzheimer's.
It is estimated that the worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer's disease will increase drastically within the next 40- 50 years, which will cause a lot of concern for families, governments and the healthcare system of the country.
The 2009 World Alzheimer Report, released by Alzheimer's Disease International, a nonprofit federation of 71 national Alzheimer organizations, estimates that the global prevalence of dementia, predicted to be more than 35 million in 2010, will almost double every 20 years to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
This report shows the need for government's nation wide to make Alzheimer's disease and other related disease a priority and expand and focus on research that can provide a solution for this disease. Countries in the developed world should invest more on research facilities in comparison to developing countries.
It is important for governments and communities in the world to create awareness of the Alzheimer's disease. There are several developing countries that universally dedicate the year for those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, as a tribute.
The prevalence of patients with Alzheimer's disease in the regions of Asia, Africa, and South America show a 10% increase. Reports show that individuals with Alzheimer's disease, dementia and related diseases, come from low and middle class income countries, however, the number of cases is expected to rise.
Other high class income countries enjoy a longer life expectancy due to better healthcare facilities and awareness.
"The prevalence is increasing because the population is aging and people are living to an older age, but also because people are more aware of the illness and we are becoming better able to identify who is demented and who is not in these countries," said John M. Ringman, MD, assistant director, Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research, and associate clinical professor, Department of Neurology, University of California-Los Angeles.
Here are some of the recommendations made by researchers on the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease,
Access and better facilities for patients suffering from related illness, especially patients in the rural communities
Provide cultural support, i.e. language and respect of certain customs and tradition while offering the proper treatment and awareness. Some ethnic groups may find the approach offensive and unproductive due to ignorance.
Focus and accelerate the research process. Increase the investment into research and investing in state of the art technology may help increase the chances of finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease and other related diseases.
Reduce the stigma associated with the disease among communities and people all over the world. This disease is not taboo and should not affect the patients' social status, and caste.
The Alzheimer's Association is the pioneer health organization that has dedicated itself to finding preventive methods, treatment and the ultimate cure for Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Alzheimer's disease, also referred to as AD, is a disease that affects the brain. The main effect of this disease is impairment of memory. It is also characterized by problems with reasoning, perception and language. According to many scientists, Alzheimer's disease is caused by increased production of beta-amyloid protein which results to deal of nerve cells in the brain.
At the age of 70, many people face a real risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. About 50 per cent of all people who are above the age of 85 suffer from this condition. This is why many people take this disease as a normal process of ageing. It is also surprising that some people are able to live past their 100th birthday without ever suffering from this debilitating disease.
As the population becomes older and older, cases of Alzheimer's disease are becoming more and more common. Ten per cent of all people who are above the age of 65 are suffering from the disease. All this data shows a rather clear correlation between increase in number of cases and age progression. This is why scientists expected that by the year 2050, 14 million Americans would be living with the disease.
Younger Alzheimer's disease patients get this condition because of mutant genes in their DNA. The gene mutation factor increases the risks of one getting the disease by more than 50 per cent. Late onset of Alzheimer's disease cases is also affected by the genetic risks among these patients. The chromosome 19 contains a gene whose structure greatly affects the amount of risks one is exposed to relating to occurrence of the Alzheimer's disease.
High blood pressure and diabetes are some other risk factors for this disease. Elevated blood cholesterol can increase likelihood of the Alzheimer's disease occurring. People who have completed less than eight years of education are also exposed to a higher risk of this disease.
Although these factors can greatly determine the possibility of the Alzheimer's disease occurring, this is not to say that there is any real danger of eventually getting the disease even in old age. Scientists who happen to be proponents of the amyloid hypothesis often reinforce this assertion.
Many patients go through a combative demeanor in the first six months of the disease. The patient can become psychotic and will talk and talk and scream and scream. Fear seems to conquer these patients; they always fear that someone is trying to kill them. Alzheimer's disease patients lose mental stability completely.
Alzheimer's disease, also referred to as AD, is a disease that affects the brain. The main effect of this disease is impairment of memory. It is also characterized by problems with reasoning, perception and language. According to many scientists, Alzheimer's disease is caused by increased production of beta-amyloid protein which results to deal of nerve cells in the brain.
At the age of 70, many people face a real risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. About 50 per cent of all people who are above the age of 85 suffer from this condition. This is why many people take this disease as a normal process of ageing. It is also surprising that some people are able to live past their 100th birthday without ever suffering from this debilitating disease.
As the population becomes older and older, cases of Alzheimer's disease are becoming more and more common. Ten per cent of all people who are above the age of 65 are suffering from the disease. All this data shows a rather clear correlation between increase in number of cases and age progression. This is why scientists expected that by the year 2050, 14 million Americans would be living with the disease.
Younger Alzheimer's disease patients get this condition because of mutant genes in their DNA. The gene mutation factor increases the risks of one getting the disease by more than 50 per cent. Late onset of Alzheimer's disease cases is also affected by the genetic risks among these patients. The chromosome 19 contains a gene whose structure greatly affects the amount of risks one is exposed to relating to occurrence of the Alzheimer's disease.
High blood pressure and diabetes are some other risk factors for this disease. Elevated blood cholesterol can increase likelihood of the Alzheimer's disease occurring. People who have completed less than eight years of education are also exposed to a higher risk of this disease.
Although these factors can greatly determine the possibility of the Alzheimer's disease occurring, this is not to say that there is any real danger of eventually getting the disease even in old age. Scientists who happen to be proponents of the amyloid hypothesis often reinforce this assertion.
Many patients go through a combative demeanor in the first six months of the disease. The patient can become psychotic and will talk and talk and scream and scream. Fear seems to conquer these patients; they always fear that someone is trying to kill them. Alzheimer's disease patients lose mental stability completely.
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