Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease causes a progressive degeneration of the mind in the elderly; it has in fact become the most discussed of all types of dementia amongst health professionals and the public. Affecting 10 percent of people over 65, Alzheimer’s is a disease that causes a steady decline in memory; diagnosis of the condition has improved dramatically and is now approximately 87 – 94 percent accurate. The world started focusing on the disease only about thirty years ago although was first discovered in 1906 by Alois Alzheimer, a German physician; its effects are not fully understood even today with all the research that has been carried out.

Studies into the disorder have shown you have a grater chance of acquiring Alzheimer’s the older you become. Many people experiencing the first signs of Alzheimer’s are unwilling to admit to themselves or others that there is anything wrong; this can be a difficult time for family members who need to know what is wrong.

Alzheimer’s disease is currently treated exactly the same as other forms of dementia. Despite the studies, there is no permanent treatment for the condition but there are a number of drugs which can help with the condition. Donepezil, Tacrine, and Rivastigmine are three drugs that have been approved for use in treating Alzheimer’s by the American Food and Drug Administration; all of these have been shown to improve the cognition by about half a year.

Memantine is showing a degree of success with sufferers in the later stages of Alzheimer’s; it is now usually prescribed to Alzheimer’s patients who are already using Donepezil. Fortunately, Memantine has few side effects and so far it is the only drug that has proved to be of real benefit to patients with severe symptoms; more than 80 percent of the Memantine excreted is unchanged by the kidneys.

Owing to an increase in the life span of people around the world, Alzheimer’s disease has become a major health issue; this disease is now the fourth largest cause of death in America alone. Although contracting the disease is a tragedy, the cost of treatment and care for sufferers is causing economic vibrations everywhere; the annual cost of treatment and care for sufferers is in excess of 40 billion dollars and is expected to rise well beyond this in the future. Nearly half the annual budget was spent on research into the condition last year by the National Institute of Aging; currently there are over 300 different compounds at various stages of development for its treatment.

One way to help lower the risk of dementia and one that you can have responsibility for is to change how you live by eating healthily and taking regular exercise. Some researchers into the disease have found that patients who are happy and healthy with Alzheimer’s, slow down the rate of their mental decline. This disease is still almost exclusively and aging condition; nevertheless, there have been occasional incidences of people contracting it before the age of 60.

Simon Slade is an online auction enthusiast and entrepreneur. In his spare time, Mr. Slade enjoys hiking, sports and fitness.