Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, disorientation, and loss of language skills.

If you are caring for someone with dementia, you may find that at times they behave aggressively. This can be very distressing……

Depression and dementia share many of the same symptoms. This can make it difficult to identify when people with dementia become depressed…..

Perhaps you’ve witnessed close friends or relatives become a shell of their former selves as their mental abilities wither away from the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. It is a truly tragic occurrence to endure. If you haven’t been in this unfortunate position, consider yourself very lucky.

Currently, more than 5 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Approximately 12.5% of Americans older than 65 are at risk for Alzheimer’s, and that figure jumps to a staggering 50% for those over 85. As the baby boomer generation approaches their mid 60’s, you will most likely see these figures rise even higher.

Currently, there is no 100% proven method of prevention against Alzheimer’s disease. It is a complex and nuanced disorder, and while doctors and researchers are making great strides, they are still not fully certain as to all of the causes and best prevention practices.

However, recent discoveries point to the fact that prevention against Alzheimer’s disease lies mainly in how you live your life. As with many other devastating diseases such as cancer, heart disease and stroke, adapting healthy lifestyle practices has been found to be the best way to prevent Alzheimer’s.

4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention

“We have to realize that the era of the magic bullet – drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease – is over. We need to take an integrative approach, like they do for heart disease. What works for the heart, works for the head,” contends Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation.

Dr. Khalsa has been working to fight Alzheimer’s disease with the non-profit ARPF since 1993. He has developed his “4 Pillars of Alzheimer’s Prevention” which he asserts are the most effective way to avoid developing the disease.

Pillar 1 – Diet and Vitamins

According to Dr. Khalsa, a proper Alzheimer’s prevention diet should consist of 20% “good” fat (including extra virgin olive oil, avocado, and flaxseed oil), 40% lean protein (especially fish), and 40 % complex carbohydrates and vegetables.

It is important to avoid a diet high in trans-fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Eating foods rich in anti-oxidants is very important. Many foods high in vitamins C and E are also rich in anti-oxidants. Blueberries, grapes, cranberries, papaya, apples, and green leafy vegetables are all a good source of anti-oxidants.

Omega-3 fatty acids, found in salmon, trout, albacore tuna, and spinach, help prevent the build-up of plaques in the brain. It’s also important for you to take a high potency multi-vitamin that contains folic acid and vitamin C.

Pillar 2 – Stress Management

High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high cortisol levels can all lead to developing Alzheimer’s. And stress is a major factor in all of these conditions.

Cortisol is a stress chemical released in your body. In excess, it damages the cells in your brain’s memory center. And as stress and cortisol levels increase, your chances for memory loss increase dramatically.

Regular stress relaxation practice has been shown to improve focus, attention, and mental performance. Some practical stress management techniques include meditation, yoga, hypnosis, relaxation exercises, prayer, and deep breathing.

Pillar 3 – Mind and Body Exercise

It is important to engage in both physical and mental exercise on a regular basis. Research has shown a link between cardiovascular health and brain functioning. This makes perfect sense, since your heart is responsible for pumping blood to your brain.

Physical exercise has been found to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s by as much as 50%. The following activities will provide you with a more than adequate regimen of physical activity to keep your brain healthy: 30 minutes of regular brisk walking, jogging, dance classes, swimming, hiking, and regular participation in sports.

It is also important to engage in a variety of mental activities. Mental exercise can reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s by 70%.

Stimulating the brain can increase the number of brain cells you have as well as the connections between these cells. It can also strengthen your current brain cells.

Dr. Khalsa stresses the importance of participating in a variety of mental exercises. The mind is kept sharper when activities are varied and new. Sticking to the same routine mental exercises doesn’t help maintain brain functioning very much.

Some good activities for maintaining healthy brain functioning include learning something new (a musical instrument, a foreign language, a hobby, etc.), memory games, taking a class, reading (especially challenging material), crossword puzzles and Sudoku games, and writing (stories, articles, poetry, memoirs, etc.).

Pillar 4 – Pharmaceuticals

Cholinesterase inhibitors are effective in slowing down the decline in cognitive abilities brought on by Alzheimer’s. Other drugs that are commonly used to treat the disease include Aricept, Exelon, Namenda, and Razadyne.

Always make sure to consult your doctor before using these medications, and go for regular check-ups to make sure that your body isn’t experiencing any harmful side effects from these drugs.

It’s never too early to start your program of prevention against Alzheimer’s disease. By adopting healthier lifestyle practices when you are young, you can enjoy better mental functioning as you reach the later years of your life.

For more free information on prevention and treatment of memory loss, and issues and clinical research related to Alzheimer’s disease, please visit the non-profit Alzheimer’s Research & Prevention Foundation at www.alzheimersprevention.org

Once affected by this disease, the ability for work and play become compromised; the threat of loss of control and loss of independence may lead to difficulties with self-image and the sense of competence and may cause anxiety, depression and further physical ailments. An adequate level of adjustment is thus crucial to maintain both physical and emotional well-being.

Scientists are working to develop new drugs that someday may slow, reverse, or prevent the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease and multi- infarct dementia. In the meantime, people who have no dementia symptoms can try to keep their memory sharp.

If someone has Alzheimer’s Disease but has led a pretty full life are they in Integrity or Despair?

I studying Erikson’s theory and am trying to write a paper on a particular person but I can’t ask her any questions because she is at end-stage Alzheimer’s.

Answer
I do not think that Alzheimer’s determines if the person is in integrity or despair. You mentioned that the person had a full life so I would guess they were (are) in integrity.

Once affected by this disease, the ability for work and play become compromised; the threat of loss of control and loss of independence may lead to difficulties with self-image and the sense of competence and may cause anxiety, depression and further physical ailments. An adequate level of adjustment is thus crucial to maintain both physical and emotional well-being.

Scientists are working to develop new drugs that someday may slow, reverse, or prevent the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease and multi- infarct dementia. In the meantime, people who have no dementia symptoms can try to keep their memory sharp.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, disorientation, and loss of language skills.

If you are caring for someone with dementia, you may find that at times they behave aggressively. This can be very distressing……

Alzheimer’s Disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. He found abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain are considered signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer is a brain disease which generally affects the normal functioning of the brain. Alzheimer is basically the sudden drop of the memory capacity which leads to forgetfulness. Alzheimer is also termed as the cognitive process of deterioration and weakening of the memory power. Alzheimer is a disease which is found to be popular in the old stage of one’s development. Alzheimer is most commonly found above the age group of 60 years. The signs which are generally visible during Alzheimer are besides loss of the memory power are lack of proper means of communication which can be characterized through stuttering and stammering. Alzheimer also leads in the problems which are directed towards everyday works, incapability to solve simple problems and impaired judgements. Change of moods, change of benevolent nature, personality change as well as loss of undertaking initiative in certain fields of works are outcomes of Alzheimer.

Alzheimer affects the person in such a way that the sufferer faces various problems in simple and normal situations. Alzheimer is a common disease which is quite visible in the old stage of one’s development. Thus the older a person gets in the age, the signs of Alzheimer basically crops up in him. Besides old age, there are certain other factors which are associated with Alzheimer. Some of the risk factor in this respect is brain injury, addiction to drugs, and smoking of cigarettes etc. Diabetes, depression and hypertension also cause Alzheimer.

Alzheimer’s treatment helps to control certain symptoms which are associated with certain diverse behavior. There is no any specific treatment which will help in the removal of Alzheimer’s disease altogether. But it is to be estimated here that during the initial and in the middle stage of the occurrence of the disease, certain drugs can be to a certain extent help in overcoming the disease by moderating the effects and the symptoms which are associated with the disease.

Considerable Alzheimer’s disease treatment will however help to control certain symptoms which are associated with behavior like confrontation, drifting moods, insomnia, and certain emotions like depressions and anxieties. As the specific cause of the Alzheimer’s is not known, therefore the Alzheimer’s disease treatment also is not specified. Alzheimer’s disease treatment before it is provided to the patients, the doctor makes an overall estimation of the patient’s health, age, and medical case history of the patients, tolerance of the patients to certain therapies, medicines and procedures. Alzheimer’s disease treatment can be provided with certain specific drugs namely Aricept, Exelon, Namenda and Cognex.

Farzina Naznin as a writer has been associated with various health sites for writing articles. Sites like http://www.getbesthealth.org/ http://www.onlinehealthcaresite.com/ will help her readers to go understand the mental health of the people. Comments if any are most welcome at farnaznin@gmail.com

Once affected by this disease, the ability for work and play become compromised; the threat of loss of control and loss of independence may lead to difficulties with self-image and the sense of competence and may cause anxiety, depression and further physical ailments. An adequate level of adjustment is thus crucial to maintain both physical and emotional well-being.

Scientists are working to develop new drugs that someday may slow, reverse, or prevent the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease and multi- infarct dementia. In the meantime, people who have no dementia symptoms can try to keep their memory sharp.

What are some fun creative crafts that Alzheimer’s patients can do?

I work with alzheimer patients & I’ve ben trying to come up with new fun things to do with them. Any ideas?

Answer
this is a great site

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, irreversible brain disorder with no known cause or cure. It attacks and slowly steals the minds of its victims.

If you are caring for someone with dementia, you may find that at times they behave aggressively. This can be very distressing……

Alzheimer’s Disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. He found abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles). Today, these plaques and tangles in the brain are considered signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alzheimer’s is a brain disease in which damaged and dying brain cells cause devastating mental deterioration over a period of time. It is a tragic disease that slowly destroys its victim’s brains, robbing them of the thoughts and memories that make them unique human beings. Patients with Alzheimer’s typically progress through a series of stages that begin with relatively minor memory loss of recent events. Gradually, loss of memory is accompanied by forgetfulness, inattention to personal hygiene, impaired judgment, and loss of concentration. Later symptoms include confusion, restlessness, irritability, and disorientation. These conditions worsen until patients are no longer able to read, write, speak, recognize loved ones, or take care of themselves. Survival after onset of symptoms is usually five to ten years but can be as long as twenty years. Persons with Alzheimer’s are especially vulnerable to infection (particularly pneumonia), which is the usual cause of death.

Alzheimer’s disease is named after German neurologist Alois Alzheimer, who was the first to describe it. In 1906, he studied a 51-year-old woman whose personality and mental abilities were obviously deteriorating: She forgot things, became paranoid, and acted strangely. After the woman’s death, Alzheimer examined her brain at autopsy and noted an unusual thickening and tangling of the organ’s nerve fibers. He also found that the cell body and nucleus of nerve cells had disappeared. Alzheimer noted that these changes indicated some new, unidentified illness. More than seven decades would pass before researchers again turned their attention to this puzzling, destructive disease.

A healthy brain is composed of billions of nerve cells (neurons), each consisting of a cell body, dendrites, and an axon. Dendrites and axons together are called nerve fibers and are extensions of the cell body. Nerve messages enter a neuron by way of the dendrites and leave by way of the axon. Neurons are separated from one another by narrow gaps called synapses. Messages traveling from one neuron to another are carried across these narrow gaps by chemicals called neurotransmitters. This highly organized system allows the brain to recognize stimuli and respond in an appropriate manner.

In Alzheimer patients, this orderly system becomes damaged to such a degree that it no longer works. The brains of Alzheimer’s patients examined at autopsy show two hallmark features: (1) a mass of fibrous structures called neurofibrillary tangles and (2) plaques consisting of a core of abnormal proteins embedded in a cluster of dying nerve endings and dendrites. Lowered levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine are also observed. The brains of Alzheimer’s disease victims appear shrunken, particularly in large parts of the neocortex, the outer layer of gray matter responsible for higher brain functions such as thought and memory. Much of the shrinkage of the brain is due to loss of brain cells and decreased numbers of connections, or synapses, between them.

 There is no simple procedure, such as a blood test, to diagnose Alzheimer’s. A definitive diagnosis can only be made by examining brain tissue after death. Diagnosis in a live patient is based on medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests to rule out other possible causes of symptoms, and neurological exams to test mental performance. Using these methods, physicians can accurately diagnose 90 percent or more of cases. The specific cause of Alzheimer’s disease remains unknown, although risk factors include advanced age, trauma such as head injury, and gene mutations. When the disorder appears in a number of family members, it is called familial Alzheimer’s disease and is thought to be caused by an altered gene.

Scientists are exploring the metal aluminum as a possible toxic agent involved in the development of Alzheimer’s. Also being studied is the role of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, as declining levels of this chemical result in more severe symptoms of the disease. Some scientists believe the abnormal proteins found in plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s victims may be the key to understanding the disease. Yet another factor being studied as a possible cause is a slow-acting virus. It is often confused with senility as its symptoms include increasingly poor memory, personality changes, and loss of concentration and judgment. The disease affects a large number of aged people and most victims are over age 65, Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal result of aging. Medication can relieve some symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but there is no effective treatment or cure.

Aluminum is a lightweight, silvery metal, familiar to every household in the form of pots and pans, beverage cans, and aluminum foil. It is attractive, nontoxic, corrosion-resistant, nonmagnetic, and easy to form, cast, or machine into a variety of shapes. Aluminum is the third most abundant element in Earth’s crust after oxygen and silicon, and it is the most abundant of all metals. Because it is a very active metal, aluminum is never found in its metallic form. Rather, it occurs in a wide variety of earthy and rocky minerals. Known as aluminium in most of the English-speaking countries, the element was named after the mineral alum, one of its salts that have been known for thousands of years. Alum was used by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans as a mordant, a chemical that helps dyes stick to cloth.

Aluminum has no known function in the human body. There is some debate, however, as to its possible health effects. In the 1980s, some health scientists became concerned that aluminum might be associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Though it is still not clear whether aluminum plays any part in Alzheimer’s disease, some authorities believe that breathing aluminum dust may cause many health problems as it may cause a pneumonia-like condition (the probable cause of death of Alzheimer’s) currently called aluminosis and there are reports of unusual concentration of aluminum ions in brains of Alzheimer’s. Again, there is not enough evidence to support this view.

Dr.Badruddin Khan teaches Chemistry in the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India.

Alzheimer’s disease was discovered by a German neurologist, Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906 he autopsied the brain of a woman who had died after years of progressive dementia. Her brain tissue showed abnormal clumps and irregular knots of brain cells. Today, these clumps (now called plaques) and knots (now called tangles) are considered hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists are working to develop new drugs that someday may slow, reverse, or prevent the damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease and multi- infarct dementia. In the meantime, people who have no dementia symptoms can try to keep their memory sharp.

Any ideas for keeping an Alzheimer’s patient from taking their colostomy bag off?

We have an Alzheimer’s patient that keeps taking their colostomy bag off and putting it in their pocket. ANY ideas of how to prevent that would be appreciated! Thanks you!

Answer
Perhaps using an abdominal binder loosely fitted, with the velcro closure in the back.