The Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain which results in gradual decline of memory, complete memory loss and other mental processes and functions. It is believed that the disease affects twenty to thirty percent of the segment which comprises of people who have completed eighty years of age. But rare cases may result in symptoms of the disease being found in people of less the forty years of age. A patient suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can easily recall the events and people from earlier part of his life at an early stage.
Gradually the patients tend to forget even their earlier life and the capacity of the brain to function increasingly declines. At an advanced stage of the Alzheimer’s disease patients are completely dependant on others and cannot care for themselves. They become bed ridden over time. The immunity of the body is also affected and people tend to become less resistant to diseases and infections. Patients in an average do not survive for more than eight to ten years after contracting with the disease. The main cause of Alzheimer’s disease is destruction of brain cells.
The main reason behind such destruction is not known yet but it is proved that the disease has no complete cure. The affected tissues from the brain show an abnormal content of aluminum which is slightly greater than the normal levels of aluminum found in the brain tissues. Yet modern researchers believe that such excess is a resultant of the disease rather than being a cause which results in its development. Over half the total amount of patients suffering from the Alzheimer’s disease is born with brain abnormalities.
Abnormalities of chromosomes also result in disease. The affected genes in the chromosomes are passed from the parents to the off springs. The chromosomes also cause mental retardation. Scientists all over the world are going in for detailed and continuous research on the subject and hope to come up with a result which can handle the Alzheimer’s disease tactfully. Alzheimer’s patients require special care and comfort to preserve their dignity and outlook. Doctors recommend adequate amount of rest to such individuals as their brain ceases to function in its normal capacity.
Stress is one of the most harmful causes as it further aggrieves the destruction process and the patients are advised to proper care and nutrition which includes a diet rich in essential vitamins and proteins. Hygiene is also given attention like in case of any other disease. As the patients tend to get physically incapable with time they need continuous help of an outsider. The outsider is usually a close relative of the patient and may be preferably the spouse, heir or a close friend of the individual. Special training and instructions are given such that the patient can be given enough encouragement and emotional support.
Continuous research had led in the development of a drug called tetrahydroaminoacridine or the THA and it has shown extremely promising results in improving the memory of people affected by the Alzheimer’s disease. The treatment being very expensive and due to the ignorance of a majority of people, Alzheimer’s disease in the current scenario is often left uncured and the number of deaths have increased.
Though in rare circumstances, Alzheimer’s has been observed in the children of persons who too have been affected by it, there is no proof as of yet that Alzheimer’s disease is hereditary. For quite some time, it was believed that Alzheimer’s disease only affected people 65 years or more of age, but this too is now a myth. One can even find people in the age group of 50 years too being affected by Alzheimer’s. One will be pleased to know that nowadays that nowadays there are certain medications and treatments available that can assist those affected by Alzheimer’s to lead a better life. However, one should remember that not all patients respond to these medications to the same degree.