A Promising Array Of New
Treatments For Alzheimer's Is On The Horizon
Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative
disease that is characterized by the progressive loss of brain function. The
areas of the brain targeted first by the disease are associated with memory, so
the first observable symptoms are usually mild forms of amnesia. Alzheimer’s is
the most common form of the more general condition known as dementia. Dementia
is an umbrella term used to describe any progressive damage to the areas of the
brain that control memory or any other cognitive function.
The earliest stages of Alzheimer’s all involve symptoms associated with memory
loss. Affected individuals may have a hard time remembering what day or month it
is. They may find themselves losing items more frequently than normal,
forgetting recent events or confused and disoriented in familiar environments.
Normally, old memories are unaffected in these earlier stages. An affected
person will recognize old friends and family, but may not have any clear memory
of recent interactions with them.
As Alzheimer’s progresses, the affected person often begins exhibiting difficult
behavior. They often become paranoid, quick to anger, overreact to minor things,
suffer from hallucinations, and can even become violent. These behaviors are
seen even in individuals that were shy, timid, or passive people prior to
developing the disease. Someone in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s will usually
begin to lose motor control and will need help dressing and performing everyday
personal hygiene functions. They often also lose the ability to speak clearly,
read or write. At this stage in the disease, even older memories become
affected, and afflicted people may not recognize family members or life long
friends at times.
In the later and final stages of the disease, individuals usually have complete
memory loss and will recognize no one. They will be unable to communicate, walk,
participate in personal care activities, or even eat on their own. As a result,
sufferers in these late stages usually are incontinent and begin to lose a lot
of weight. They often spend most of their time sleeping, and frequently suffer
from seizures. Alzheimer’s will eventually lead to death due to loss of brain
function.
While there are no known cures for Alzheimer’s, there are some treatments
available that can slow the condition down, and a promising array of new
treatments on the horizon. Our increased understanding of biology and the human
genetic code have many scientists hopeful for effective preventive measures and
possibly even cures in the near future. Already, there are results from a number
of recent studies that suggest that certain life behaviors, such as a healthy
diet and regular exercise, can help reduce your chances of developing the
disease.
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