Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, a group of brain disorders that impair a person’s mental functioning, especially memory, thinking, and behavior.

The term dementia literally means loss of mentation or thinking. Dementia is a broad term which describes the loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and normal emotional reactions.

Most people with dementia are older, but it is important to remember that most older people do not get dementia. It is not a normal part of the ageing process. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common in people over 65 years of age. People in their 40’s and 50’s can also develop dementia.

There are many different forms of dementia and each has its own causes. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for between 50% and 70% of all dementia cases.

At the current time, Alzheimer’s is progressive and irreversible. However, a great deal of research is being conducted, and a range of treatments are already available.

For a person suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, abnormal changes occur in the their brain over time, and the effects of these changes worsen as time goes by. Eventually, Alzheimer’s interferes with many aspects of brain function.

As people age, brain cells die and the substance of the brain shrinks. In Alzheimer’s sufferers, abnormal material builds up as tangles in the center of the brain cells and plaques outside the brain cells, disrupting messages within the brain and damaging connections between brain cells. Chemical changes also occur in the brain, leading to the eventual death of the brain cells.

Alzheimer’s Disease advances in stages, progressing from mild forgetfulness to severe loss of mental abilities.

Short-term memory loss is one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease, followed by long-term memory loss, and then a gradual decline in other intellectual, thinking, and problem solving abilities. Changes may also occur in personality or behavior.

In advanced Alzheimer’s, people become dependent on others for every aspect of their care.

The time course of the disease varies by individual, ranging from five to 20 years. The most common cause of death is infection following the decline of the person’s immune system. This is a symptom of old age, and is not caused by Alzheimer’s.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease? Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of progressive, degenerative dementia that disables behavior, memory and thinking abilities. Alzheimer’s disease varies from person to person, and may progress at different rates.

Common risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease is having a family history, longterm high blood pressure, head trauma history, heightened levels of homocysteine, and female gender.

Alzheimer’s disease is known to destroy nerve cells (neurons) that subsequently causes a descrease in neurotransmitters. When the correct balance is not maintained by neurotransmitters, the brain’s functioning becomes critically improvised.

Some early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include the following:

• Difficulty performing tasks
• Disorientation in familiar surroundings
• Disassociation of names for common objects
• Lack of interest in usually enjoyable activies
• Misplacement of items
• Repetitive statements
• Though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s Diseease, there are options for treatment that can slow the disease progression, help manage behavior problems, and assistance with family counsel.

Aside from medications and lifestyle modifications, alternative supplements such as ginkgo biloba and Vitamin E are helpful as well.

Taking routine walks with a friend or caregiver, bright light therapy, music therapy, animal intervention like a pet cat or dog, relaxation techniques and regular massages are also superb remedies for persons suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, visit the National Library of Medicine. To locate a practitioner or physician with your own health concerns, feel free to peruse our consumer and holistic resources directories today.

For most people, driving is a necessity as well as a symbol of independence. There are very few people that will easily give up their independence and give you the keys to their vehicle. Yet for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, driving a vehicle can pose serious risks and endanger themselves or others. The decision of when to stop driving is one that Alzheimer’s patients and their families often face.

There are many opinions concerning the issue of driving for the Alzheimer’s patient. If he trusts his physician, the doctor may have more success than the primary care giver in letting the patient know when to stop driving. The physician may be trusted by the patient and be able to explain to him that his medical condition may interfere with his driving. This scenario is good for the caregiver as it takes the responsibility off you and puts it on the medical condition, with the physician being the messenger.