Health problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative disease that affects areas of the brain that control memory, intelligence, judgment ability, language and behavior. This disease is the most common form of mental decline or dementia in older people.
Alzheimer’s disease is a condition worse than mild memory loss that occurs in the elderly. This disease is associated with conduct disorder, personality, loss of ability to think right and ability to perform daily activities. People close family members usually notice changes at first, although these changes can be determined and the sick.

Risk Factors
Older age is the most important risk factor. Other risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease are:

• Family history of Alzheimer’s, especially if the disease occurred in first-degree relatives (mother, father, siblings) and appeared at many family members
• The presence of the gene for apolipoprotein E-4, especially in people of whites or Asians, increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
• Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes mental retardation
• Diabetes, a disease that is accompanied by high blood sugar
• HRT. A recent study demonstrated that the risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease is increased in women over 65 who are under replacement therapy with estrogen and progesterone.

There have been several theories regarding the increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These theories include the following factors:

• Smoking. Some researchers have suggested that smoking may increase the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but these assumptions were confirmed
• Shots of the cephalic region. There is evidence that a blow to the region keep cephalic (head) followed by loss of consciousness, may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease later. The chances of developing the disease are increased if the injury is severe and patients with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease.
• High blood levels of homocysteine. Homocysteine ​​is an amino acid normally present in small amounts in the blood. High levels of this amino acid is accompanied by increased risk of heart disease. Some researchers hold that elevated homocysteine ​​levels were associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The CREC levels of homocysteine ​​are caused by low blood levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid.

Derived from daily exposure to aluminum pots, cups, aluminum, aluminum deodorant has not demonstrated that it increases the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Causes
We do not know for sure because that causes Alzheimer’s disease, but ese may be several causes. Some of the damage if the specific areas of the brain are related to loss of neurons chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the main acetylcholine, allowing neurons to function normally.
Nobody knows for sure the cause of these changes, but they do research to determine the cause. Although most patients with Alzheimer’s disease have a family history the disease, the risk of getting the disease is higher in people who have a family member with Alzheimer’s.
Some studies have suggested that zinc and aluminum would have a role in triggering the disease, but they have not been kept by evidence to hold these theories.

Symptoms
Memory loss is often the first manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease. Many older people are worried when memory loss occurs. Certain episodes of short-term memory loss in people aged 60-70 years is common, but only some of them with mild memory loss will develop Alzheimer’s disease. If memory loss occurs consult a specialist is indicated.

Examples include memory loss normal forgetfulness:

• Parts of certain experiences
• The place where the car is parked
• Events in the distant past
• The name of a person, but later returns in mind
• The place where they put certain objects, such as car keys

Examples of memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease include forgetfulness:

• An experience entirely
• Interpretation clock or driving the car
• Recent events, such as forgetting the fact that he left open the cooker
• A person fully

Alzheimer’s disease is accompanied also by changes in behavior, thinking or personality disorders. In the early stages of the disease the person can function normally in society. Family members and close friends see the first manifestations of the disease. The signs of dementia or memory thinking that the difficulties of certain things or issues in daily activities should prompt the person to consult a specialist.
Symptoms vary as the disease progresses.

Association identified 10 patients with Alzheimer’s warning signs for Alzheimer’s disease. These are:

• Memory loss, like forgetting recently stored information, names and phone numbers
• Difficulties in performing his duties as preparing a meal
• Language disorders, forgetting words or substitute unusual words
• Temporo-spatial disorientation, forgetfulness address
• Impaired judgment, like putting on clothes unsuitable for the time
• Problems with abstract thinking, as unable to interpret the numbers
• Putting certain objects in unusual places, such as iron in the freezer or watch in the sugar bowl
• Mood disorders, as rapid changes their mood from calm to crying and then to anger for no apparent reason
• Changes in personality, from confusion, suspicions, fear addiction a family member
• Lack of initiative manifested by drowsiness continue watching TV all day and denial of normal daily activities.

Symptoms that may be present, but not always present:

• Firmly holding of false beliefs, such as someone stealing from a person (delusions)
• Sensations that hears or sees things that are not there (hallucinations)
• Lack of interest in activities surrounding or separation from friends and family
• Repeated activities without a purpose as an open or closed bags, packing and unpacking clothes, repetition of questions
• Physical or verbal aggression
• Inability to control impulses, which can lead to inappropriate actions
• Alzheimer’s disease usually does not affect fine motor skills (eg the ability to close and open buttons or using utensils) or sense of touch.

A person with motor symptoms (muscle weakness in the hands or shaking of the hands) or sensory symptoms (numbness) probably have other than Alzheimer’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis motor symptoms can manifest with dementia.

Other diseases with similar symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are:

• Other types of dementia, as dementia caused by multiple infarcts
• Dementia accompanied by malnutrition
• Thyroid diseases as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
• depression
• Visual or auditory disturbances.

Pathophysiological mechanisms
The researchers found few changes occurring in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. These include:

• Low levels of acetylcholine in certain brain areas
• Senile plaques, which are composed of clusters of abnormal nerve cells surrounding the amyloid deposits (abnormal protein) and neurofibrillary knots, piles of material that interrupt normal nerve cell structure. Senile plaques and neurofibrillary these nodes are usually observed at autopsy.

These changes in the brain can cause memory loss and other symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. It is not known why these changes occur in some people and not others arise.
Alzheimer’s disease progresses over time, but how quickly it progresses varies from person to person. Some people may have minimal manifestations until the late stages of the disease. Other people lose the ability to perform daily activities early in the disease.
Symptoms progressively worse. At first the disease is manifested by minor memory loss and progresses to severe mental and functional and even death.
Symptoms are usually divided as those that occur in the initial phase, middle or late. It is difficult to say how long each phase.
A person living an average 8-10 years after the onset of symptoms.

The initial phase to Alzheimer’s
Usually the initial stages of Alzheimer’s Handful:

• Becomes confused about orientation and easily lose
• Lose the ability to initiate certain activities
• Avoid new and unfamiliar situations
• Have delayed reactions and slow storage capacity
• Speak less often than in the past
• Has difficulty handling money and paying bills
• Has impaired judgment and wrong decisions
• May have mood disorders and become depressed, irritable or restless.

These symptoms are often obvious when a person is in a place or a new situation, unfamiliar.

Intermediate stage Alzheimer’s
In the intermediate stage Alzheimer’s patient manifested:

• Problems recognizing family and friends
• Restlessness special afternoon and evening
• Problems with reading, writing and interpreting numbers
• Thinking and logic problems
• Unable to find specific words or invent stories to replace what looked
• Difficulties in dressing up yourself
• Mood disorders, get upset easily and is hostile and unwilling to cooperate
• False beliefs (delusions), suspicions (paranoid) and agitation
• Require constant care
• Lose temporal orientation

Late stage Alzheimer’s
In late stage, advanced Alzheimer’s disease patients:
No longer remember how to wash, to dress, to go to the bathroom or eat without help. These people may need to stay in bed or in a wheelchair because I forget to go
Lose the ability to chew or swallow
Have trouble maintaining balance or walking and because of this often fall
Become extremely confused and have trouble sleeping tonight
Can not communicate with words
Lose control of bladder or bowel control (incontinence).
In late during Alzheimer’s disease patients are more prone to other diseases. In some cases, seizures may occur. Death occurs as a complication of pneumonia due to immobilization in bed.

Expert advice
Alzheimer’s disease tends to progress slowly. If symptoms such as confusion or other changes in mental abilities suddenly installed in intervals of days or hours, the problem may be delirium tremens, a condition requiring emergency treatment.
Emergency consultation is indicated when:

• Symptoms like shortness of attention, memory impairment or hallucinations are installed fairly quickly, within hours or days
• One with Alzheimer Bonavia occurs a sudden change in behavior or symptoms suddenly worsen.

It indicates when programming for consultation:

• Symptoms such as shortened attention, memory disorders or delusions gradually be installed within a few weeks or months
• Memory loss or other symptoms begin to interfere with work or social life of the person concerned or if symptoms can cause injuries of the person.

Medical specialists recommended:

• Family physician
• resident physician
• Geriatric
• The neurologist
• The psychiatrist

Investigations
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease arises after other possible illnesses. Your doctor will look for other causes of dementia, before the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.
It is important to eliminate the diagnosis of delirium when symptoms suddenly installed as delirium tremens is a condition requiring emergency care.
Symptoms such as confusion and memory loss can occur in depressive syndromes. Depression is relatively common among the elderly, but it is quite difficult to recognize. It can be successfully treated with medication and psychological therapy.
Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed by medical history and physical examination. Additional examinations are mental status and mental health assessment. These exams require simple actions to verify orientation. Usually it is appropriate to be present during examination and a family member or a close person patient. The family member can give details of daily life of the patient, his memory and personality changes.
Investigations as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to visualize changes in the brain that may be linked to memory and Alzheimer’s disease onset. Two other investigations imaging, positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT) are useful in some cases, but are not routinely performed.

Laboratory Tests
In a small number of dementia patients have causes other than Alzheimer’s disease. Laboratory tests may be done to rule out other possible causes for the patient’s symptoms. Symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease may occur in diseases with mineral imbalance, liver disease, abnormal levels of thyroid hormones, nutrition issues deficits of folate and vitamin B12. Treating these diseases may cause a slowdown or reversibility of mental decline.
Blood tests useful to diagnose these disorders are:

• CBC, highlighting the number and type of blood cells and helps in the diagnosis
• Liver function tests (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin) that diagnose liver disease
• Determination of folic acid (folate). Folate is necessary for the production of both red blood cells and white blood cells
• Concentration of vitamin B12 in the blood. Vitamin B12 is useful in the production of red blood cells and in maintaining healthy nervous system
• Determination of electrolytes and glucose levels (sodium, potassium, creatinine, glucose, calcium). Electrolytes are useful in maintaining fluid balance in the body at an optimal level and maintain normal functions (eg heart rate, muscle contractions and functioning of neurons)
• Thyroid function tests. Abnormal levels of thyroid hormones are a common cause of symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, lethargy and other symptoms of dementia in older people. Drug therapy improves symptoms in people with disorders of thyroid function
• Screening for syphilis. Dementia occurs in the last stage of syphilis (tertiary syphilis). If the person had syphilis long ago and it was not treated properly, the disease can progress to affect behavioral and intelligence disorders can occur. Although syphilis is a disease increasingly rarer are tests to determine it, because it is a curable disease
• Assay for detecting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS untreated can cause symptoms such as personality disorders and concentration problems

Imaging tests like CT or MRI are performed to exclude other causes when the diagnosis is uncertain.
You can perform an electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor the electrical activity of the brain where the seizure patient history are phenomena.
In some cases the examination of brain autopsy is performed to highlight the changes made at this level that may indicate Alzheimer’s disease. Although the autopsy is the only way to make the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with certainty, in the initial stages of the disease changes may not be very clear to the diagnosis. An autopsy is rarely required, but may be made when the family wants to know definitely whether or not Alzheimer’s.

Early detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
There are currently no screening for Alzheimer’s. It is difficult to diagnose the disease in its early stages. However the symptoms of mental decline should not be ignored and attributed to aging. Genetic tests for detecting gene for apolipoprotein E-4 may become useful as they will know more about the genetic causes of disease. These tests are not widely used at the moment.

Treatment
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are many ways to maintain the quality of life of patients and maintains the activity of the person.

Initial treatment
At first, right after Alzheimer’s diagnosis is given cholinesterase inhibitors. These substances, including hydrochloric of donazepil, galantamine and rivastigmine may improve memory and thinking temporarily affected by the disease. The effects of these drugs are not spectacular and may not improve symptoms in some patients. Although cholinesterase inhibitors decrease the intensity of symptoms, they do not slow disease progression. However experts recommend cholinesterase inhibitors as first-line treatment.
Another drug called memantine may be used alone or in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of confusion or memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine works differently than cholinesterase inhibitors, but not this product slows disease progression.

Another important aspect of therapy is the initial detection and treatment of other medical problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease. For example, depression occurs in approximately 50% of patients with Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages of the disease when they are aware of the diagnosis and prognosis wrong. Detection and treatment of these related conditions like depression can minimize disability and maximize the patient’s outstanding skills.

In the initial phase of treatment need to clarify certain issues with your family:

• Care needed by the patient
• The person that you will have the care and supervision the patient as the disease advances
• Aspects of the disease as it advances
• Planning the therapy and care Bonavia.

Educating family or people who take care of a patient with Alzheimer’s is essential to providing optimal care. Carers need to be educated about the issues that may occur in the disease.

Maintenance therapy
Treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors continues until it is effective. These drugs are effective for longer in some people than in others. Cholinesterase inhibitors are discontinued when the patient can not tolerate the side effects of these drugs.
Periodic physical examination by a physician evaluates the patient’s response to therapy, detect emerging problems, monitor symptoms and provide continuing education of families and persons in charge of patient care. As the disease progresses and treatment is reviewed considering risky behavior or other problem. Medical guidelines indicate consultation 6 months or less if problems arise.
Examination is important to detect other diseases.
Impaired vision and hearing, arthritis, thyroid disease, kidney disease are common problems occurring in the elderly and can aggravate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease data. Arthritis makes it difficult to move without help, blurred vision or hearing can cause agitation, anxiety or inability to communicate. Treating these conditions increase the quality of life for patients and ease caregiver burden.
Most Alzheimer’s patients can be cared for at home by a family member or a friend, at least until the disease becomes severe. Maintenance therapy is based on maximizing individual abilities as they change and solve problems as they arise. Carers tasks ranging from maintaining a safe environment and patient dressing every day to find solutions to solve or minimize risky behavior as deviant and sleep disorders. There is no single therapy that is useful to all people. Care success depends on the involvement of the person in charge of care in making decisions about treatment. These decisions will affect you both ill and the caregiver.

Advanced crawling Treatment
As the disease progresses, providing care is becoming increasingly difficult. Providing care for a person with Alzheimer’s is a difficult thing, regardless of training or devotion to the sick person. Inpatient hospitalization in an institution can be a very difficult decision to make, but in some cases specialized institutions in treating these patients may be the best solution.

Treatment crawling terminal
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses and symptoms worsen while some people choose to discuss certain issues related to the care you want and what legal issues arise. These people choose to write or say as long as desires are still of sound mind. Some patients want to try all therapies that prolong life, while others prefer measures to maintain comfort without prolonging life.

Outpatient treatment (at home)
Most people when diagnosing Alzheimer’s go through moods of anger, fear, depression, anxiety and concern about the future.
Although the disease evolves over time, some people are able to continue normal activities for many years, although at a reduced level.
Issues faced by people with Alzheimer’s and their family are:

• If you up driving the car or not. People in the early stages of the disease should be investigated periodically to determine whether they can lead safe. Family members can detect changes in driving behavior by simply traveling in the car
• Legal and financial measures to be taken. In the period following diagnosis of the disease is shown writing a will and appoint a lawyer.

These measures are evidence that the treatment wishes are documented.

In the early stages of dementia are useful tips:

• Perform the tasks according to their skills. Making certain activities may take more time than in the past but if they are committed to doing that activity is shown to continue. It recomnada some changes. For example, if cooking is a problem, we recommend other activities that are achievable, that means shopping, meal planning or realization or settlement of the easiest recipes
• Change the home so that it is safe. For example carpets stabilization using nails, putting surfaces prevent slipping in the tub, ensuring cooker with automatic flame extinguisher, where there are memory problems. Assessment of the risk of injury if they continue cooking
• Ensuring a healthy diet. It is important that the person with Alzheimer’s diet consist of fruits, vegetables and grains. If the weight is small and does not indicate manages its growth supplements. Some people with dementia have difficulty sleeping. It is advisable to avoid sleeping during the day and to make exercise day, and before bed to drink a glass of warm milk or tea without caffeine
• Scheduling activities during times of day when intellectual abilities are maximized. May be indicated creating a routine that does not vary much from day to day. The person may be less frustrated if they are paying activities after a certain time or day program
• Solve problems creatively memory. Using lists, labels and other ways to assist in remembering certain things. Recording of daily activities on a calendar or agenda and its position in a visible place
• Before going somewhere it is advisable to write down on a note where they intend to go, address and how to return home, even if they have been made several times in the past these activities. It is recommended that the output be under escort if possible
• Keeping activity, maintaining an active life and involvement in many things slow deterioration of mental abilities

Information for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients
Most Alzheimer’s patients are cared for at home by family members or friends. Care of a person with Alzheimer’s can be an exhausting work from both physically and emotionally, but there are ways to make care easier this time.
One of the keys to success is represented by caregiver education. Measures can be taken to maximize the patient’s outstanding abilities to master the problems that arise in the process and improve the quality of life of patients and carers. Keep in mind that a person’s care can be a positive experience for both the caregiver and the patient.
In the case of a patient with Alzheimer’s care, the goal is to maintain health and patient safety. A safe environment, proper nutrition, regular sleep, proper hygiene and prompt resolution of other medical conditions are important for the general good of the patient.
Creating a safe environment, by arranging rooms, the use of locks on doors and cabinets.
Maintaining proper nutrition is achieved by transforming the table into a positive experience. It may be necessary to serve food that can be eaten by hand, which can be more easily handled by a person with Alzheimer’s. Indicate accompaniment throughout the meal and limit opportunities to decrease confusion supply.
Sleep disorders can be solved by discouraging sleep during the day and taking a glass of warm milk before bed.
The bladder and fecal incontinence resolved by encouraging walking to the bathroom several times during the day and restricting fluids before bedtime.
Solving behavior problems and loss of mental abilities is the biggest challenge for people caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s. Strategies for addressing these issues do not lead to their elimination, but they make it easier to accept.
Maximizing outstanding abilities. Ill person should be allowed to make decisions as long as you can still do this.
The person must be helped to cope more easily in the environment. Place labels on objects surrounding patient inconjuratoere and familiar objects like images.
Understanding the behavior changes. Behavioral disorders can occur in patients with Alzheimer’s. Person’s past should be remembered and should be interpreted if not how those events is the person to continue activities or habits of the past.
Addressing the hype. Fun items must be removed and maintained a low voice in discussions with the patient.
Addressing the symptoms of agitation and disorientation occurred the evening is done by turning on lights in the house and by imposing an activity that the patient to focus energy.
Achieving good communication. For example should not be considered contradictory discussions with the patient. Insurance must be provided and it should focus attention on other activities. It Inida use of words and simple sentences, easy and family.
It is also very important that the health and abilities of the person in charge of care to be first. There are some organizations that support people who are taking care of patients with Alzheimer’s

Medications
At first, right after Alzheimer’s diagnosis is given cholinesterase inhibitors. These substances, including hydrochloric of donazepil, galantamine and rivastigmine may improve memory and thinking temporarily affected by the disease. The effects of these drugs are not spectacular and may not improve symptoms in some patients. Although cholinesterase inhibitors decrease the intensity of symptoms, they do not slow disease progression. However experts recommend cholinesterase inhibitors as first-line treatment.
Another drug called memantine, can be used safely or in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of moderate to severe symptoms of confusion or memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine works differently than cholinesterase inhibitors, but not this product slows disease progression.
Main decision when drug therapy is not static rather than to use or not certain drugs for treating disorders of mental function, but when treatment should be started and later when he stopped trabuie. Medication should be started from the time of diagnosis of the disease. However, the patient’s symptoms can not be alleviated by medication, because these therapies do not work in all patients. If the drugs are effective will continue taking them up in due course the side effects are stronger than the benefits or when these drugs have no effect.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect against damage nerves and improves nerve cell function. Recent studies have suggested that vitamin E may delay the loss of ability to perform daily activities such as dressing or washing, but it improves memory in Alzheimer’s patients. If the administration is in recommended doses this treatment is safe, inexpensive and effective in some people.
Another drug called selegiline has been used to treat thinking and memory problems in the Alzheimer’s disease. This drug is commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease and is not as effective in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease as other medications.

Treatment of behavioral disorders
In some cases, drug therapy may resolve behavioral disorders or symptoms that cause discomfort or Alzheimer patient caregiver. These medications are usually used when other means have failed. For example, if insomnia occurs after exercise and avoid sleeping during the day, you may need medication.
If abnormal behavior, after exhausting other means indicate operational administration of tranquilizers. These drugs are indicated when:

• A certain behavior is bad or sick persons around it
• Efforts which addresses behavioral disorders, such as environmental changes and ensure routine failed
• Behavior is intolerable for the person who cares for the patient it
• The patient has difficulty to distinguish between real and unreal (psychosis). Psychosis causes false beliefs (delusions) and hallucinations.

Dementia
Depression occurs in approximately 50% of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
It is generally common in the early stages of the disease. Antidepressants relieve depression symptoms and improve quality of life, but not slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment of other causes of dementia
Certain diseases like high blood pressure (which causes vascular dementia), Parkinson’s disease or thyroid disease, helps older people with Alzheimer’s dementia. Some of these conditions respond to medical treatment.
Cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of mental decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
Memantine, a drug introduced into the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, to treat memory loss and confusion moderate or severe.
Tranquilizer to treat anxiety, agitation or hostility, sleep disorders, deceptions, paranoia and hallucinations.
Selegiline used in treating disorders of memory and thinking.

Alternative Therapies
Treatment with certain herbs, such as ginkgo-biloba The experimental considered.
Other therapies like light therapy, aromatherapy and exercise, can help reduce behavioral disorders such as agitation, but must be carried out only under supervision.