Alzheimers Brain Disease

Alzheimer’s brain disease is a state in which brain cells that are wearing off, cause a destructive mental relapse for a period of time. This disease gradually wrecks havoc on the brain of its victims and causes a distortion in their thoughts and memory. This disease was named after the man who was the first to describe the disease in the year 1906. His name was Alois Alzheimer, a German.

Causes of Alzheimer’s Brain Disease

There is no yet identifiable cause of Alzheimer’s disease. However, some risk factors associated with this brain disease include aging factor, trauma caused by head injury and also gene mutations. If a number of the family members experience the disorder, it is termed Familial Alzheimer’s disease; this is perceived to be an altered gene issue.

Also, metal aluminum is being explored by scientists, as a likely toxic agent that takes part in Alzheimer’s disease development. The role of neurotransmitter acetylcholine is also being studied; since its declining levels causes more severe symptoms.

Preventive Measures

It has been discovered that those that are involved in active intellectual and mental activities are at less risk of experiencing decline in memory function and also developing Alzheimer’s disease in comparison with mentally inactive people. Such mental activities can take different forms such as reading, puzzles, reading and writing, woodworking, knitting, printing and playing board games. Also, another study shows that those who are engaged in mentally demanding jobs are less likely to experience a decline in memory as they grow older.

The Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Brain Disease

Early Symptoms: Alzheimer brain disease shows forth with the initial symptoms of gradual loss of memory, lack of attention to personal hygiene, poor memory, loss of concentration and distorted perception and judgment.

Later Symptoms: confused state, restiveness, irritability and confusion. These stated conditions continue to deteriorate until patients are not able to perform normal activities and functions such as speaking, reading and writing. And the worst situation sets in when patients are not able to recognize people they know any longer and can barely take care of themselves.

Survival of Alzheimer’s brain victims after the initial and later symptoms is more often than not, 5 to 10 years; though the period could extend to 20 years at some instances. Alzheimer patients are susceptible to infections which is normally the major reason for their death. Such infection that easily ravages the Alzheimer patients is pneumonia.

Tests and Examination for Alzheimer Brain Disease

The simple test procedure such as blood test that is obtainable with most ailments is not applicable in the case of Alzheimer’s brain disease test and diagnosis. A definite diagnosis done as autopsy is rather carried out on the brain tissues. Any diagnosis carried out on living patients is usually based on physical examination, medical history and laboratory tests; this is to cancel out other likely causes of the symptoms. Also neurological exams are carried out to test mental performance.

Treatment for Alzheimer Brain Disease

There is no effective treatment or cure yet for this disease, however, medications can work in the early stages to reduce the symptoms. However, there is hope for effective treatment of this ailment as scientific researches are bringing us closer to cure for this ailment each day; there has been excellent progress in the research to unravel the mystery behind this ailment including its causes and possible treatments. There is much to learn about this ailment and its development.