Alzheimer’s Disease 101

April 17, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525898805837{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Often dementia and Alzheimer’s disease get grouped together as one condition and it’s difficult to differentiate the two. Here, Alzheimer’s will and trust lawyer Jimmy Carter demystifies Alzheimer’s to gain a better understanding of the disease.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]What is Alzheimer’s Disease?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525135588622{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and progress over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily time.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]How does it differ from dementia?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525135985588{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Dementia is a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is not classified as as disease, rather a combination of conditions. Alzheimer’s is a disease and accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]Is Alzheimer’s Disease a normal part of aging?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525136014068{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]No, it is not a normal part of aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. But Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with the disease have early onset Alzheimer’s, which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]I have heard Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. What does that mean?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525136046110{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]A progressive disease means that it worsens over time. In Alzheimer’s the dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]Can you die from Alzheimer’s?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525136073376{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Yes. 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 noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]What is the first indication that a loved one might have Alzheimer’s?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1532375830503{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The most common early symptom is difficulty remembering newly learned information. As discussed in Memory Loss 101, our brains change as we age. Most of us eventually notice some slowed thinking and occasional memory lapses. However, serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing.[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]What are some of the other the most common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525136354000{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]In addition to difficulty recalling newly learned information, as the disease advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including:[/vc_column_text][mk_custom_list style=”mk-moon-square” el_class=”line-height-1_5 custom-list-style custom-list-style-large custom-list-style-top-9″]

  • Diminished mental capacity
  • Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
  • Undue influence or under duress
  • Fraud or procedural mistake

[/mk_custom_list][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]Will the person experiencing these symptoms be aware of these changes?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525137727748{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]People with memory loss or other possible signs of Alzheimer’s rarely are aware that they have a problem, whereas signs of dementia may be obvious to family members or friends. Anyone experiencing dementia-like symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]What is happening in the brain with Alzheimer’s disease?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525137770754{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Small changes in the brain occur long before the first signs of memory loss. The brain has 100 billion neurons (nerve cells) and each neuron connects to many others to form communication networks. Groups of cells perform special jobs such as thinking, learning and remembering. There are others that help us to see, hear, smell and talk.

Together brain cells operate like a tiny factory, receiving supplies, generating energy and getting rid of waste. They also process and store information and communicate with other cells. To keep this factory running requires large amounts of fuel and oxygen.

Scientists have come to believe that Alzheimer’s disease prevents parts of a cell’s factory from running smoothly, though they are uncertain where the trouble starts. But it is clear that backups and breakdowns in one system cause problems in other areas. As damage spreads, cells lose their ability to do their jobs and, eventually die, causing irreversible changes in the brain. It’s the destruction and death of nerve cells that results in memory failure, personality changes, problems carrying out daily activities and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
[/vc_column_text][mk_fancy_title color=”#30343a” size=”18″ font_weight=”400″ font_style=”normal” txt_transform=”none” margin_bottom=”5″ font_family=”none” responsive_align=”left” el_class=”gotham-bold margin-bottom-0″]Is there a cure?[/mk_fancy_title][vc_column_text margin_bottom=”5″ css=”.vc_custom_1525138717262{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Alzheimer’s has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and their is continual research. Although current treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Currently there is a worldwide effort to delay the onset, find better treatments and prevent Alzheimer’s from developing.

If you need assistance finding a doctor with experience evaluating memory problems, your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter can help.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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