The Progression Of Alzheimers Disease: Stages Of The Disease


Alzheimer disease is a very well known disease that is on the forefront of research. Scientists are trying to discover how this disease works, and treatments that can be used to counter the progressive nature of the disease. The progression of Alzheimers disease can vary from patient to patient, but it does seem to travel in a similar manner.

The Typical Progression Of Alzheimers Disease

Through years of research, doctors have determined the progression of Alzheimers disease. The initial stage is considered stage 1. During this period, there are no symptoms or signs of Alzheimer disease.

The next step in the progression of Alzheimers disease is stage 2. During this stage little symptoms begin to show. Becoming forgetful is one of the classic symptoms during this stage of the progression of Alzheimers disease. People may experience forgetting where they put something like keys or glasses. The symptoms do not appear that obvious, and are sometimes associated with being too busy or just getting older.

The third stage is when other people begin to notice the changes in a persons memory or abilities. This part of the progression of Alzheimers disease is when many begin talking to a physician and looking for answers to their forgetfulness. At this stage many people are beginning to have problems at work, reading something and then forgetting what it said. The symptoms are becoming more noticeable and severe.

The next stage in the progression of Alzheimer disease is stage four. The memory continues to decline and the ability to perform tasks becomes more of a problem. Just being able to plan an event, or do the checkbook is difficult.

The progression of Alzheimers disease then hits stage 5, where the individual may not remember their address, or phone number. They may become confused at simple questions. They will still be able to use a bathroom by themselves, but are becoming more confused during social situations.

The next two stages show an increase in the patients inability to physically take care of themselves. Stages 6 and 7 in the progression of Alzheimers disease are when constant care needs to occur. Patients may loose their ability to communicate, to swallow and they will need supervision. They may become unable to walk, sit-up by themselves and their muscles become rigid.

The average life span of a patient with Alzheimers is 8 years, but they can live anywhere from 3 to 20 years. The progression of Alzheimers disease is difficult for family members to watch as the stages indicate; it becomes a completely disabling disuse. If symptoms are noticed it is important to consult a physician for a complete evaluation.

Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord

This Alzheimers stage is by far the most debilitating, and some patients cannot walk or even sit up without assistance.

They also seem to show more abnormalities on chromosomes 1 and 14 than other patients. The Alzheimers Association makes it easier to reach out to people throughout America by having numerous local chapters available to help people with Alzheimers, as well as their families. Between 50% to 70% of all cases of dementia can be credited to Alzheimers disease. What is Alzheimers Disease, and Can Anything Be Done About It? Early onset Alzheimers is defined as the development of Alzheimers before a person 65-years-old.

Thanks to recent studies, the scientific community now has much more in the way of Alzheimers disease statistics.
It all began when the International Conference On Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders happened to take place in Las Vegas in the United States in the year 1988 and there were about three hundred researchers who attended the conference, which since that early beginning, now could boast of having more than four thousand researchers attending the conference when it took place for the ninth time in the year 2004. These people are not afraid, they simply cannot find the right words to use. Mild forgetfulness is usually an early sign of Alzheimers, but this symptom does not mean that the disease is present. Alzheimers disease history begins in 1906, when a German physician by the name of Alois Alzheimer performed an autopsy on a woman who died after years of suffering from severe memory problems and confusion. Alzheimer disease is a very well known disease that is on the forefront of research.

Patients may loose their ability to communicate, to swallow and they will need supervision.
Alzheimers death is caused by the cell destruction in the brain. There are also clinical trials for medications that are being developed to stop the progression of Alzheimers. Although some Alzheimers nursing homes have been known to mistreat their patients due to the nature of their ailment, government agencies and watchdog groups keep an eye on their practices to insure all patients receive the best level of care possible.