Ageing produces many changes in the body. After all, the body is like a machine and there is bound to be wear and tear associated with ageing. Dementia is a term used to describe the neurodegenerative changes taking place in the brain. Dementia presents itself in different ways. Â Approximately, 35-40 million people suffer from some form of dementia worldwide. The commonest form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease and this disease is feared by everyone because of its implications. The disease robs one's memory and an individual's entire past disappears.
In the US alone, around six million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Due to reasons unknown women are more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease. For example, in the US, sixty percent of the sufferers are women. Age is a critical factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The disease typically strikes people over the age of sixty. Over the age of eighty, nearly 50% of the people run the risk of acquiring Alzheimer's disease. Statistically, women tend to live longer than men. Men are more susceptible to diseases like coronary heart disease and therefore, are likely to die from other diseases before they acquire Alzheimer's disease.
Genetic inheritance plays only a minor part in the development of Alzheimer's disease. In fact, family history plays only a minor part in the development of the disease. Other factors like lack of education, sedentary lifestyle or, chronic insomnia may also play a part. As we age becoming absent minded is common. We may start forgetting things. This is normal and is part of ageing. For example, you may forget where you have parked your vehicle. This is not equivalent to the loss of memory seen in Alzheimer's disease. An Alzheimer individual may not even remember possessing a vehicle. Alzheimer individuals cannot be allowed to go out unescorted. This is because these individuals cannot remember simple things like where they live. They can easily be lost in the streets.
In a way, Alzheimer's disease is like asthma. People who watch an asthmatic also suffer. People who are close to the Alzheimer victims also have to suffer because they see somebody close to them leading a near vegetable existence totally unaware of what is happening around them. There is no specific test for Alzheimer's disease. However, the disease can be caught through medical evaluation. Somebody close to the affected individual should be present during such evaluation. Usually, the evaluation would include analysis of the cognitive changes in the individual. The doctor would also look at the family history for the presence of Alzheimer's disease. Scanning of the brain for ruling out other changes is also done. The Alzheimer's disease is a killer and this fact is not known to many people. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.
In the US alone, around six million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Due to reasons unknown women are more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease. For example, in the US, sixty percent of the sufferers are women. Age is a critical factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The disease typically strikes people over the age of sixty. Over the age of eighty, nearly 50% of the people run the risk of acquiring Alzheimer's disease. Statistically, women tend to live longer than men. Men are more susceptible to diseases like coronary heart disease and therefore, are likely to die from other diseases before they acquire Alzheimer's disease.
Genetic inheritance plays only a minor part in the development of Alzheimer's disease. In fact, family history plays only a minor part in the development of the disease. Other factors like lack of education, sedentary lifestyle or, chronic insomnia may also play a part. As we age becoming absent minded is common. We may start forgetting things. This is normal and is part of ageing. For example, you may forget where you have parked your vehicle. This is not equivalent to the loss of memory seen in Alzheimer's disease. An Alzheimer individual may not even remember possessing a vehicle. Alzheimer individuals cannot be allowed to go out unescorted. This is because these individuals cannot remember simple things like where they live. They can easily be lost in the streets.
In a way, Alzheimer's disease is like asthma. People who watch an asthmatic also suffer. People who are close to the Alzheimer victims also have to suffer because they see somebody close to them leading a near vegetable existence totally unaware of what is happening around them. There is no specific test for Alzheimer's disease. However, the disease can be caught through medical evaluation. Somebody close to the affected individual should be present during such evaluation. Usually, the evaluation would include analysis of the cognitive changes in the individual. The doctor would also look at the family history for the presence of Alzheimer's disease. Scanning of the brain for ruling out other changes is also done. The Alzheimer's disease is a killer and this fact is not known to many people. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease.