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Alzheimer's Disease image (What is it? (AD is a type of dementia (also…
Alzheimer's Disease 
What is it?
AD is a type of dementia (also the most common case) that causes issues with memory, thinking, and behavior.
Cognitive Assosiation
As the stages of Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the disease destroys nerve cells within the brain and the connections between them, which leaves behind clumps of proteins called plaques and twisted fibres in brain cells called tangles, this destruction takes their ability of language, learning, memory and reason.
History
AD was founded by Dr. Alois Alzheimer in 1906, in his patient who is only known as Auguste D. Auguste D had experienced symptoms such as memory loss, paranoia, and some psychological changes. Dr. Alzheimer was the first to note from the autopsy that there was a shrinkage in and around the nerve cells in her brain.
Symptoms
- EARLY STAGE
- The most common early symptom of AD is having difficulty remembering newly learned information
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks such as driving to a familiar location or organizing a grocery list
- Being confused with the time or place like losing track of dates, seasons, and time
- New problems with words in speaking or writing and they may have trouble following or joining a conversation
INTERMEDIATE STAGE
- Major gaps in memory start to become evident
- Start to incorrectly remember personal history
Begin to have the inability to think or solve problems
- Has trouble understanding or learning new information
LATE STAGE
- Having a complete loss of short and long term memory
- Becoming severely disoriented
- Heightened behaviour and change in personality
- Being unable to communicate
Causes
- As people grow older, the likelihood of developing AD increases
- Risk of developing AD is higher if a first-degree relative has AD
- Many people with down syndrome develop AD and because they have 3 copies of chromosome 21 (which are copies of the gene that create beta-amyloid)
- Gender -here are more women with AD because they live longer than men
- Past head trauma - those who have had head injuries have a greater risk of developing AD
- The type of lifestyle a person lives, they are more likely to have AD if they don't exercise, are obese, smoke or have exposure to secondhand smoke, high BP, high cholesterol, or have poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
Impact of AD
People may feel grief and loss because the person with AD may not be able to remember their friends or family and could also cause a strain on the relationship. Caregivers would begin to feel angry after a certain amount of time when they see their family member unable to recognize them or feeling frustrated if they are unable to properly support the person with AD financially
Prevention
Though AD is not a preventable disease, people can reduce the risk factors for there to be a less harsh condition of AD. By focusing on diet, exercise and lifestyle habits, people can reduce cardiovascular diesaes and lower the risk of developing AD and other disorders that cause dementia.Some tips to reduce the risk of AD:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a diet of fresh produce, healthy oils and foods low in saturated fat
- Follow treatment guidelines to manage high BP, diabetes and high cholesteral
- Stop smoking
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