Remembering Alzheimer's Disease

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Why? Why do I keep forgetting the names of my students? Have I lost it? I am getting old and maybe I have Alzheimer’s disease. My grandmother has it, she does not remember things. For sure I have it now! What is Alzheimer’s? Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Who? Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 60. When? Alzheimer's is not…show more content…
Brain Brain Damage Microscopic changes in the brain begin long before the first signs of memory loss. Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells. The role of plaques and tangles Microscopic changes in the brain begin long before the first signs of memory loss. Two abnormal structures called plaques and tangles are prime suspects in damaging and killing nerve cells. Changes in the Brain in Alzheimer’s Disease Mild Alzheimer’s Disease As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, memory loss continues and changes in other cognitive abilities appear. Problems can include getting lost, trouble handling money and paying bills, repeating questions, taking longer to complete normal daily tasks, poor judgment, and small mood and personality changes. People often are diagnosed in this stage. Moderate Alzheimer’s…show more content…
While no specific dietary factors have been found to prevent Alzheimer� ' s disease, a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet is healthy for the heart and the brain. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats. How Alzheimer’s Disease Is Diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease can be definitively diagnosed only after death by linking clinical course with an examination of brain tissue and pathology in an autopsy. But doctors now have several methods and tools to help them determine fairly accurately whether a person who is having memory problems has “possible Alzheimer’s disease” (dementia may be due to another cause) or “probable Alzheimer’s disease” (no other cause for dementia can be found). To diagnose Alzheimer’s, doctors: ask questions about the person’s overall health, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language carry out medical tests, such as tests of blood, urine, or spinal
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