Discussing Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's is a form of dementia that causes problems with memory, judgment and behavior. Symptoms usually develop gradually and worsen over time and often interfere with daily tasks.
Alzheimer's is not a common part of the aging process and Alzheimer's is not just a disease of old age. On average, five percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer's, which often appears when someone is in their 40s. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms slowly worsen. During the early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer's, individuals lose the ability to hold a conversation and react to their environment. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become evident to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.
Before an individual receives an Alzheimer's diagnosis, he or she may display small changes in memory, behavior and thoughts. This is called mild cognitive impairment.
Even though it does not cripple a person's capability to function throughout the day, these differences are often noticed by friends and family members. Some patients in this stage are already observed by their doctors as "probable Alzheimer's". This is not a definite diagnosis because not all memory problems are Alzheimer's-related. Cognitive difficulties could be from other factors such as a drug's side effects or a vascular disease. Unfortunately, there is no blood or medical test available in doctors' offices to confirm that the mild cognitive impairment is because of Alzheimer's.
Dementia because of Alzheimer's is the stage when memory, thinking and behavioral symptoms have become so destructive that the patient's capacity to function is slowed down.
The disease is not exclusively restricted to memory problems. The late stages of Alzheimer's include other symptoms such as difficulty finding words, visual problems, impaired reasoning and judgment. The patient eventually becomes unable to carry out basic tasks such as eating, bathroom functions and becomes fully dependent on others for basic care.
Unfortunately, there is presently no cure for Alzheimer's disease. The average life expectancy for someone with Alzheimer's is 8 to 10 years after the onset of symptoms. However, individuals with Alzheimer's have been known to live up to 20 years after the first signs become present. Those with multiple medical conditions tend to pass away earlier than those who have no other problems, physically. Individuals with Alzheimer's disease often die of a medical complication such as pneumonia or the flu. However, Alzheimer's is fatal the individual will die when all bodily systems fail because of the disease.
