What is Alzheimer's
Dementia is a condition that is caused by the progressive loss of intellectual functions. Although many things can cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by nerve cell death. Once a nerve cell ( brain cell ) dies, the function is lost. The person with Alzheimer’s disease becomes increasingly impaired as cells continue to die. Although much research is being done, scientists are not sure what triggers the onset of this disease.
A medical workup to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease should include: a physical examination and blood tests to rule out treatable conditions; taking a history of the cognitive and functional difficulties the patient is having; undergoing a brain imaging scan
( CT or MRI ); and a mental status examination and test of intellectual abilities, emotional state, verbal skills, problem solving skills and memory.
Approximately four million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. In Alabama, 57,000 people suffer from dementia. It is estimated that 10% of the population over age 65 have Alzheimer’s disease, and the risk of Alzheimer’s increases with age. Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death among adults. Dementia afflicts both men and women in all racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups.
No two patients are alike. The course of the disease can be from two to twenty years, with an average of eight years. Patients progress from needing supervision, to needing custodial care, to needing 24 hour a day nursing care.
Early stage patients have mild memory problems, but tend to function well at home. Middle stage patients begin to have difficulty caring for themselves and may experience behavioral and psychiatric problems. Late stage patients require total care. Throughout the disease, the caregiver must learn to be adaptable and must seek appropriate community and medical services. Caregivers must care for themselves, as well as for their patient.