Personality changes

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, and is the most common form of dementia.

Dementia is a term that means a loss of intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with daily functioning.

For centuries people called it “senility” and considered it an inevitable part of aging.

Today we know that there are many types of dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, that are not a normal part of the aging process and are caused by some underlying medical condition.

Basic Facts About Alzheimer’s Disease

The disease was first identified in1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician. While studying the brain of a deceased woman who had mental illness, he found unusual changes in the brain cells and tissues, called “plaques and tangles.”

He also found a loss of nerve cells in the area of the brain vital to memory and other mental functions. These “plaques and tangles” are pathologic characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease. At the present time, there is no single diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s disease.

A probable diagnosis is arrived at by ruling out other medical conditions that could be causing the problem.

Alzheimer’s disease begins gradually, affecting areas of the brain that influence short – term memory first.

The progression of the disease causes difficulty communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning, and creates a major impact on work, social and family life.

Eventually the patient will no longer be able to care for himself. Alzheimer’s disease affects
men and women, all races, and crosses all socioeconomic lines.

Approximately 4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to triple in the next 20 years as people live longer. One in 10 people over 65, and 50% of people over age 85 suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. The present estimated cost of care in the U.S. is over 100 billion dollars annually and because most Alzheimer’s patients live at home, much of this cost is borne by families.

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown. Age and family history have been identified as potential risk factors.

Head injury is being considered as a possible risk factor. Early onset Alzheimer’s disease (age 30-50) is a rare form of the disease that may be genetically transmitted through families.

Most cases of Alzheimer’s occur in the elderly. Every year new research yields more information about potential causes. Under discussion are the roles played by antioxidants, estrogen,
stress, alcohol, smoking, diet, exercise, and anti-inflammatory drugs as to the possible onset or delaying of the disease.

A few drugs and non-drug therapies have been approved by the FDA to delay the progression of some of the physical and behavioral symptoms associated with the disease. Patients live an average of 8 to 10 years after onset of symptoms.

The most common cause of death is infection, usually from pneumonia or urinary tract problems.

What are the Warning Signs?

The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a list of warning signs that include common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

A person who exhibits several of these symptoms should see their physician for a complete examination.

* Severe memory loss that affects job skills
* Extreme difficulty performing familiar tasks
* Problems with language, communication
* Disorientation about time, places
* Decreasing lack of judgment
* Problems with simple tasks involving numbers
* Consistently misplacing things
* Rapid, unexplained changes in mood or behavior
* Personality changes
* Total lack of interest in all previous activities