Alzheimers Death: Part Of The Progression Of The Disease
Alzheimers is a fatal disease. Many people associate this disease with memory loss and the ability to function, but Alzheimers death is the eventual outcome of this disease.
Alzheimers was first discussed in the early 1900s the disease was brought to the attention of the medical community by Dr. Alzheimer of Germany. One of his patients had these strange symptoms and Dr. Alzheimer was baffled by the condition. In the end, the woman died and Dr.Alzheimer performed an autopsy and discovered that her brain had been altered by something.
We now know that patients with Alzheimers have a condition where their brain is under attack and the cells are being destroyed. Researchers are trying to find ways to stop the progression of this disease.
Stages And Alzheimers Death
This disease is progressive and stages have been identified that patients will go through leading to Alzheimers death.
In the first two stages, many people do not even realize that they have the disease. Patients report forgetfulness, not being able to recall names or even words have been noticed by patients. Overall, it is a sense of not being able to remember clearly.
The third stage is generally when family members or co-workers begin to notice a problem. The patient is having more difficulty remembering names, is misplacing objects and concentration is a problem.
Stage 4 and 5 show the continued decline of memory and confusion can be a problem for patients. They are still able to take care of themselves, but may need to be supervised as they get confused easily and dont remember what they are doing.
Stage 6 is when the patient begins having personality changes. These involve becoming suspicious of everyone. Thinking that people are out to get them, they may become volatile and unstable. The memory loss continues and they now will need assistance with hygiene.
Stage 7 is the last stage right before Alzheimers death. This stage is severe, where the patient needs full time care. They may no longer be able to speak and need assistance with everything from feeding to going to the bathroom. Alzheimers death is the end result of this stage.
Alzheimers death is caused by the cell destruction in the brain. In the initial stages of Alzheimers the cells that are being destroyed involve functions surrounding memory, organization and even communication. As the disease progresses the cells that are being destroyed control every aspect of the systems within a person. This will affect the ability to swallow and even breathe.
Alzheimers is a very destructive disease that will progress until death. A hoped for cure is being worked on, but this is a very complicated disease. Be aware of the symptoms of Alzheimers and communicate any concerns with your health to your physician.
Alzheimer Nursing Homes
Many will no longer be able to speak and will become completely incontinent.
Not everyone suffering from the disease will require constant care for an extended period, they may be able to live at home through the earliest progression of the disease, however once they reach the point that family can no longer serve as caregivers, Alzheimers nursing homes may be their only option. In finding the right nutritional supplements for alzheimers disease, youll have to make sure you keep all of your options open. While many can survive at home with family members serving as full-time caregivers, some patients, especially those with other ailments, may be better receiving therapy for Alzheimers Disease in an assisted living arrangement. Cognitive impairment extends to the domains of language, skilled movement, and recognition, which is why sufferers of Alzheimers soon get to a point where they forget how to do the most basic things, such as brushing their teeth or combing their hair.
The progression of Alzheimers disease then hits stage 5, where the individual may not remember their address, or phone number.
Hopefully the patient has already prepared advance directives and a living will with durable power of attorney. Also, it is noticed that Alzheimers disease patients are prone to getting depressed when affected by the condition. Some will live with this disease for only a few years and others will survive for a decade or more. 1 million, 4. The Alzheimers Association has a goal of wiping out this disease through research.
These drugs are designed to maintain a chemical balance in the brain.
Use their name often and keep the tone soft and gentle. It happens because these genetic mutations produce beta-amyloid, which is a protein. That is also true of other tests the doctor may run including CAT scans, MRIs, ECG, or EEG scans. The diagnosis of Alzheimers disease can only be absolutely certain after a person has passed away; however the probable cause of symptoms as Alzheimers disease can be determined in living patients. Only you can really decide whether or not there is any advantage to you or your family in knowing that you have a greater than average possibility of developing Alzheimers at an early age. The delays in the diagnosis of Alzheimers disease is unfortunate; the earlier that the disease is detected, the more effectively it can be treated. |