Alzheimer's disease

November 17, 2011

Related Articles:

• New remedy against paralysis
• Mental functioning in old age
• Vitamins protect the unborn child from autism
• Symptoms of migraine

Tweet

Alzheimer's disease   - Is an incurable disease of the central nervous system degenerative type. It is characterized by memory loss . speeches . logic   and other mental abilities, which happens all the time. This disease is most common in older people: according to statistics, the risk of symptoms of Alzheimer's disease increases significantly in people over 65 years. At the same time, the disease is considered today one of the most common reasons dementia   older people. This disease is one person to become very significant burden for the rest of the family.

To date not known for certain the exact causes of this disease, but Alzheimer's disease is considered to be a consequence of the destruction of a substantial number of nerve cells As well as a lack of the substances that are necessary for the process of transmission of nerve impulses. Alzheimer's disease occurs in those who have a genetic predisposition to this ailment, people who have received Poisoning by toxic metals . serious head injury As well as those who have brain tumor . hypothyroidism .

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease

In this disease at an early stage have the following symptoms. The patient manifested a constant forgetfulness He can not remember what happened recently. This condition is constantly progressing. The patient can not know those things that are familiar to him. He expressed manifested emotional disorders, the state of anxiety, depression occurs. There are signs disorientation   and apathy   to what is happening around him, close to the people and things that surround it.

At later stage   Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are observed following. Patients may experience hallucinations , Manifest delusions, they completely cease to recognize loved ones, and even family members. In patients with Alzheimer's disease appear difficulties in moving gradually their gait becomes "shuffling" style. People gradually lose their ability to fully think and move independently. Sometimes, there are less common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: in some cases, patients may experience convulsions .

Complications Alzheimer

As complications of the disease may occur co-infections, including common pneumonia Also accompanied by malnutrition disease. Patients with this disease often get injuries of various kinds, with their accidents happen.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

It is very important to establish such a diagnosis as early as possible. Therefore, family members should continuously monitor the health of elderly relatives and to help them undergo regular medical examinations. If anyone has any relatives and the elderly appear above symptoms, you should immediately consult with a specialist.

First of all for the patient should find an experienced doctor who inspires confidence in a patient. To date, there are no special doctors who specialize exclusively in Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, the first step would be to appeal to the district physician . This specialist will observe and determine the next steps.

It is possible that the therapist will give direction to visit a number of specialists more narrow profile: neuropathologist , Which is specialized in diseases of the brain and nervous system; Psychiatrist With experience in the treatment of disorders of thinking and personality; Psychologist Which is testing the memory, the ability to cope with problems, mental activity and functions of language.

There is currently no detailed invented and only method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Medical examinations, and its results can already assess the condition of the patient, to detect diseases that directly affect his thinking process. There is evidence that the physician with a high level of skill can determine if the patient has the disease with a precision greater than 90%. As a rule, experts determine the presence of the patient dementia But its exact cause can not always understand.

Therefore, during the reception of the doctor asks the patient and his relatives a number of questions about the symptoms that occur.

In general physician survey also includes questions about the diseases that the patient has now been before. Also studied the situation with the disease and the patient's relatives, whether in the family ever diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

In the course of the general diagnostics carried out an assessment of the mental state, which helps to find out how the patient feels, if he could remember certain things hold arithmetic, remember some of the words. The patient also raises a number of questions from which you can learn about the state of the skills that are needed for life in the home.

In the process of diagnostics conducted a brief study cognitive functions   patient and diagnostic tests, there is a physical exam. It involves talking to patients about alcohol and the principles of nutrition, to determine which medications the patient is taking before, the definition of blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Also, the patient taking the analysis of urine and blood.

During the neurological examination the expert identifies reflexes , Eye movement, speech condition, coordination and balance, condition of muscles, eye movement. For inspection and diagnosis are actively used MRIs , and computed tomography .

Treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Currently, pharmacists have developed a range of medicines that help stop the progress of this disease. When taking the recommended medication for the disease can be markedly pause, and thus even improve the state of mind of people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. However, at the moment there is the means that could cure this disease.

Regular use of drugs can be adequate to patients at home and stay a long period independent of the others. Certain drugs make it possible to deal with some of the symptoms - depression . behavioral problems .

It is important to Alzheimer's disease patients to adhere to an active life, to get good food, have a permanent exercise. The man should be in a relaxed environment with a familiar structure.

In the selection of medicines specialist necessarily take into account a number of factors to determine effective drugs individually. The most commonly used drugs for the treatment of a symptom of the disease is Aricept . This inhibitor cholinesterase , The property of which is suspension of decay acetylcholine   in the brain and increasing acetylcholine. This drug helps to improve mental activity.

Also for the treatment of such patients apply means Exelon   and razadin . Their operation is also aimed at increasing acetylcholine. They are used at different stages of the disease. In the treatment of symptoms in moderate to severe stages appointed agent Namenda . This medication effectively regulates blood Glutamate   in the brain. The substance is actively involved in mental processes. Another drug used in therapy, kogneks . This is the same cholinesterase inhibitor which slows down the decomposition of acetylcholine.

Note, however, that all these drugs only suspend the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease at the mild to moderate stages of the disease. Continuing studies are aimed at finding an effective remedy for this disease. Also deals with the invention of a vaccine against the disease.

Preventing Alzheimer's

While preventive measures are very important to proper nutrition, to the elderly in the blood supply to the body to function properly and there is energy metabolism of the brain. For the prevention of Alzheimer's disease should consume green tea, vegetables, fish and other foods that have properties of lowering the level of harmful cholesterol . It should abandon or minimize consumption of sweets, meats and fatty foods. The diet should be followed consistently. The specialists determined by a number of very useful products that contribute to the prevention of the onset of symptoms of the disease. So, it is recommended several times a week to eat quail eggs, stimulates the brain. Beans, as well as bread baked bran and help keep attention. But there are these products should be at least once a week. Eating fish stimulates the transfer of information between neurons . Also, there are some very useful products for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease: it is salt, nuts, seeds, turmeric, curry. It is important to constantly have a certain level of physical activity, full sleep.