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Home | Home & Family | Elderly Care These symptoms can be broken down as follows . The person has difficulty performing otherwise familiar tasks, such as preparing a meal, opening a car window or using a household appliance. In the late stages, the patient will also have functional and behavioural symptoms. It manifests itself through cognitive symptoms (loss of memory and failure to learn new things) and emotional symptoms (anxiety and depression). Some patients also have psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. How is the disease diagnosed ? Currently the diagnosis is based on excluding other possibilities and is clinically assumed. However, before the Alzheimers diagnosis can be given to the patient and their family, the patient must undergo a variety of laboratory tests, such as medical assessments and laboratory measurements. Alzheimer's disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis. The brain contains a vital chemical compound called acetylcholine which preserves the neurons in the brain. When the disease starts to take hold, another enzyme starts to attack - this is called acetylcholinesterase and will destroy the healthier enzymes. The drugs are aimed to stave off this attack and preserve the healthy enzymes. But these drugs have some side effects and the results vary a lot but in many cases, they do slow down the disease. Other drugs too have been tried with mixed success. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs ), the most common ones being aspirin and ibuprofen have been found to offer some protection. Another potential preventative drug is estrogen, but this can give rise to strokes. Gingko biloba, a popular plant extract associated with improving brain function, can have dangerous side effects too. The disease can last from 5-10 years or even longer. The disease will progress from simple forgetfulness to debilitating severe dementia. Most sufferers (about 70% in the USA) will live with family members at home. There is no cure for the disease at the moment and care consists of medication mentioned above and care giving. Alzheimers disease is one of the most emotionally draining and traumatic diseases for patients and families alike. The progressive, degenerative nature of Alzheimers disease presents unique challenges for health care proxies. During the end stages of Alzheimers disease the patient typically loses the ability to communicate effectively with their loved ones; adding an additional burden to the health care proxy. Is there anything you can do to prevent this disease ? Research now shows that diet can be very important in preventing this disease but obviously this needs to be thought of before the age of 65. Lots of fruit, vegetables and omega-3 foods have been shown to reduce the risk of this disease by as much as 60%. Beat-carotene (carrots, for example) have been shown to have the same effect. One of the most effective diets known to mankind is the Mediterranean Diet which has been the diet of millions of people in the Mediterranean area. The incidence of degenerative disease among these people is lower than many other countries and as a result, it has been the subject of much research. Article Source: http://www.articlewheel.com
Learn how diet can help prevent Alzheimer's more about what you eat and how it can prevent senile dementia. Learn how diet can help prevent Alzheimer's
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