ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS
What is Dementia?
Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions (such as thinking,
remembering and reasoning) of sufficient severity to interfere with
a person's daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but
rather a group of symptoms which may accompany certain diseases
or physical conditions. The cause and rate of progression of dementias
vary. Some of the more well-known diseases that produce dementia
include Alzheimer's disease, Vascular dementia, Parkinson's and
Pick's disease. Other conditions which may cause or mimic dementia
include depression, brain tumors, nutritional deficiencies, head
injuries, hydrocephalus, infections (AIDS, meningitis, syphilis),
drug reactions and thyroid problems.
It is imperative that all persons experiencing memory
deficits or confusion undergo a thorough diagnostic workup. This
requires examination by a physician experienced in the diagnosis
of dementing disorders and detailed laboratory testing. The examination
should include a re-evaluation of all medications. This process
will help the patient obtain treatment for reversible conditions,
aid the patient and family in planning future care, and provide
important medical information for future generations.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the most common of the dementing disorders
currently affecting as many as 4 million Americans. Alzheimer's
disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the
brain and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms
of Alzheimer's disease include a gradual memory loss, decline in
ability to perform routine tasks, disorientation in time and space,
impairment of judgment, personality change, difficulty in learning,
and loss of language and communication skills. As with all dementias,
the rate of progression in Alzheimer's patients varies from case
to case. From the onset of symptoms, the life span of an Alzheimer
sufferer can range anywhere from 3 to 20 or more years. The disease
eventually leaves its victims unable to care for themselves. While
a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is possible only through
the examination of brain tissue, which is usually done at autopsy,
it is important for a person suffering from any symptoms of dementia
to undergo a thorough clinical examination. In fact, after such
an evaluation, approximately 20% of suspected Alzheimer's cases
prove to be a medical condition other than Alzheimer's, sometimes
treatable.
Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer´s Disease
1. Recent memory loss that affects job performance.
Everyone forgets things then recalls them later. Alzheimer´s patients
forget often, never recall and repeatedly ask the same question,
forgetting the earlier answer.
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks. "People
with Alzheimer´s disease could prepare a meal, forget to serve it
and even forget they made it."
3. Problems with language. A person with Alzheimer´s
may forget simple words or use inappropriate words, making speech
difficult or impossible to comprehend.
4. Disorientation of time and place. People with
Alzheimer´s may get lost on their own street and forget how they
got there or how to get home.
5. Poor or weaker judgement. Even a normal person
might get distracted and fail to watch a child. A person with Alzheimer´s
disease could entirely forget the child under their care and leave
the house.
6. Problems with abstract thinking. Anybody can have
trouble balancing a checkbook; a person with Alzheimer´s could forget
completely what the numbers are and what needs to be done with them.
7. Misplacing things. A person with Alzheimer´s disease
may put things in inappropriate places - an iron in the freezer
or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl - and not be able to retrieve
them.
8. Changes in mood or behavior. Everyone has occasional
moods, but people with Alzheimer´s can have rapid mood swings -
from calm to tears to anger - within a few minutes.
9. Personality changes. A person with Alzheimer´s
may change drastically and inappropriately, becoming irritable,
suspicious or fearful.
10. Loss of initiative . People with Alzheimer´s
may become passive and reluctant to get involved in activities.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is a deterioration of mental capabilities caused
by multiple strokes (infarcts) in the brain. The onset of Vascular
dementia may be relatively sudden as many strokes can occur before
symptoms appear. These strokes may damage areas of the brain responsible
for a specific function as well as produce generalized symptoms
of dementia. As result, Vascular dementia may appear similar to
Alzheimer's disease. Vascular dementia is not reversible or curable,
but recognition of an underlying condition (high blood pressure)
often leads to a specific treatment that may modify the progression
of the disorder. Vascular dementia is usually diagnosed through
neurological examination and brain scanning techniques, such as
computerized axial tomography (CAT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), in order to identify strokes in the brain.
