A Closer Look at the Top 3 Diseases You Don’t Want to Have

The lifestyle we have, the type of food we eat, and our genetic makeup all contribute to what we are and what we become. It also affects what disease we may get as we age and grow older. Here are three of the worst diseases anyone can have. These diseases are not rare, and have caused much pain and disability not only to the person with the disease, but to the people who care about them. These diseases do not have a cure as well, making it a permanent burden to those that are affected. Hopefully, someone would be able to discover a cure for these diseases to alleviate the pain and suffering of those that are affected.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition wherein someone’s brain cells slowly die on their own. The main impact of the disease is on someone’s memory. It can start from small things, such as misplacing house keys or utility bills. But as the disease progresses, the condition becomes much worse. The affected person will not be able to recognize their own family, sometimes mistaking a daughter for a neighbor or an old friend.

The disease takes away not just memories, but also everything that is stored in the brain. As the disease worsens, the affected may not even be able to perform tasks which they are familiar with. They may end up like a child with no memory of their achievements and accomplishments in life. It is really painful for the relatives to see that their loved one does not know them anymore and can’t remember what he’s done with his life.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is another situation that anyone does not want to have. The nerves that affect motor movements are affected and become malfunctioned. The symptoms may start with minor hand shaking or may cause the whole body to shake uncontrollably. A person suffering from this disease will find it hard to even hold a pen or drive safely. Once the disease becomes more advanced, the affected person will not be able to do anything for himself and will always depend on someone else to take care of him.

The ironic part is that the mental abilities of someone suffering from this disease are intact. Thus, it is a struggle for someone to see himself helpless and not be able to take care or protect himself. However, there are trainings and therapies that aim to make life easier for both the person with the disease and the person who takes care of him.

Arthritis

Arthritis is another disease that can cause much suffering and disability. Although it is not fatal, it causes much pain that it will definitely affect anyone’s daily routine. Historically, only elderly patients suffer from Arthritis. But due to the type of lifestyle and the food we eat, even younger generations are already affected by this disease nowadays.

Arthritis literally means inflammation of the joints. What happens is that there is a reduction on fluids that cause our joints to be loose, thus causing friction and eventually inflammation. Once this happens, there will be a difficulty in writing, holding onto things, and even walking. There are different types of Arthritis based on the specific joints affected. Some examples are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

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Memory Loss In Alzheimer’s Disease

Memory loss in early Alzheimer’s can be difficult to detect at times. Is it just forgetfulness, or is there a real problem going on?

The things we’ve done in the last hours, days or even weeks are placed in our short-term memory. In early stages of Alzheimer’s, the most recent memories go first, but it is easy for people to manage to cover that up.

But as Alzheimer’s disease becomes more severe, past memories become affected as well. At this point, people around them will be more aware of the possibility of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Having Alzheimer’s disease is often equated with losing ones memory. So much so that jokes are made about it. They are sometimes funny, until you get old enough to wonder if maybe you may be experiencing a touch of Alzheimer’s.

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, the jokes are no longer funny as you see the downhill progression of their memory and ability to care for themselves.

This memory loss problem is very real and can be tested for. Many times just a simple set of questions are asked. The questions commonly asked in the doctors office have to do with both how the short term and long term memory works.

Questions commonly asked included

* What day is it today?

* What month are we in?

* What year is it?

* Where are you now?

* Who is the President?

* Count backwards from 20-1

* I am going to tell you three things, you repeat it back to me after five minutes, when I ask.

If you cannot answer all the questions, or have forgotten something, it does not prove that you or your loved on has Alzheimer’s disease, but it does show that perhaps further investigation is needed.

If you feel someone has Alzheimer’s, be sure to have other tests run such as brain imaging such as CAT scan or MRI scan as these can help rule out other possible causes and help confirm the dementia or Alzheimer connection.

Many of the conditions being manifested in the early stages can be reversed or halted. So it is important not to ignore the memory problems, but get in to be thoroughly checked out.

Want to find out more? Confused if someone has it or not? It is important to learn all you can about Alzheimers. Pick up your copy of

Alzheimer’s Disease

It is very important to understand the difference between the general forgetfulness that often accompanies old age and the onset of Alzheimer’s. It is perfectly normal for older people to exhibit forgetfulness and mild forms of some of the other symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This does not in any way mean that they are in the early stages of the onset of Alzheimer’s, or that they will go on to develop a full-blown, extreme case of Alzheimer’s. In addition, many other conditions can cause Alzheimer’s like symptoms. A diagnosis from a professional medical doctor is the only way to be sure.

We want to provide information to people who are interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s Disease, or who may be worried about the possible onset of Alzheimer’s, or the friends, family, or relatives of those who might suffer or be at risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s

Many Alzheimer’s patients experience agitation in addition to memory loss. In the early stages of the illness, people with Alzheimer’s may encounter changes in their personality, such as irritability, anxiety or even depression. But as the disease progresses, these symptoms can worsen and become more difficult to live with. They may include sleep disturbances, delusions and hallucinations. Many times Alzheimer’s patients cannot get in touch with or express their feelings. So when they experience agitation, it is often difficult for the caregivers to understand and to help.

What is agitation?

• Extreme emotional disturbance. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language)
• A stirring up or arousing; disturbance of tranquility; disturbance of mind that shows itself by physical excitement. (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary).
• A mental state of extreme emotional disturbance, the feeling of being agitated; not calm.

When a person with dementia displays agitation or other “symptoms,” you must try to determine what they are trying to communicate. Good communication is an important part of any relationship. When caring for a person with dementia, the ability to communicate becomes more and more difficult. Both expressing and processing information becomes impaired. This inability to express and process can be frustrating and can manifest itself as agitation. Following are some suggestions that may allow you to improve your communication with your loved one who has Alzheimer’s:

• Approach from the front to prevent startling him or her.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Lower the tone of your voice. A high pitch may indicate that you are upset.
• Smile and be pleasant.
• Talk with a calm presence.
• Speak slowly, clearly and directly.
• Identify yourself. Use short, simple sentences.
• Ask one question at a time.
• Eliminate background noise.
• Give plenty of time to respond.
• If he/she cannot find words, sometimes it helps if you finish the sentence.
• Repeat information when needed – repetition is good.
• Frequently affirm/praise him/her, even for the smallest things, i.e. “Good job,” “Thank you,” “You’re the best!” Validate feelings.
• Use touch. Touch the shoulder, knee, back, hand.
• Give hugs many times a day.
• Don’t argue – you’ll never win.
• Laugh together.
• If your talk becomes “heated,” stop. Go back and try again later.
• Don’t talk down. Respect him/her as an adult.
• Don’t’ correct him/her.
• Don’t demand. Ask nicely.
• Don’t take adverse behavior personally.
• Slow down! Hurrying increases frustration.

Another issue in agitation is non-verbal communication. Non-verbal communication is important to be aware of, both in what we are communicating to our loved ones, and what they are communicating to us. Non-verbal communication is expressed by persons with dementia through body languages, facial expression and tone of voice. At times, the Alzheimer’s patient can look into your eyes and seem to read your soul, almost like a “sixth sense.” They are sensitive and intuitive to people and things around them. They know when someone is being sincere or not. Body language is as important as their facial expressions. For example, if your loved one suddenly gets up and walks around, that may indicate the need to go the bathroom. Be alert to those signs and give big hugs as much as possible. A gentle touch will make their life much easier and relaxed. Environment can also cause agitation. Examples would be where temperatures are too cold or too hot, or lights too strong or too dim. Try to set up an environment that is relaxing for your loved one. It will make his or her life easier. And as your loved one with Alzheimer’s relaxes, so will you.

It is important having an ID for Alzheimers: “Keeping these people safe is a continuous concern for their care-givers. Beside ID, the Alzheimer Association offers these steps to protect our loved ones on a daily basis.

• Make potentially dangerous places less accessible
• Lock or disguise hazardous areas.
• Install door locks out of sight.
• Use special safety devices, such as child-proof locks and door knobs, to limit access to places where knives, appliances, equipment, and cleaning fluids are stored. Accommodate for visual changes
• Diffuse bright light by removing or covering mirrors and glass-top furniture, and cover windows with blinds, shades, or sheer draperies.
• Add extra lighting in entries, outside landings, areas between rooms, stairways, and bathrooms because changes in levels of light can be disorienting.
• Place contrasting colored rugs in front of doors or steps to help the individual anticipate staircases and room entrances.Avoid injury during daily activities.
• Monitor the temperature of water faucets and food because the person may have a decreased sensitivity to temperature.
• Install walk-in showers, grab bars, and decals to slippery surfaces in the bathroom to prevent falls.
• Supervise the person in taking prescription and over-the-counter medications. Beware of hazardous objects and substances.
• Limit the use of certain appliances and equipment such as mixers, grills, knives, and lawnmowers.
• Supervise smoking and alcohol consumption.
• Remove objects, such as magazine racks, coffee tables, and floor lamps, to create safe wandering areas and reduce the possibility of injury.
• Clean out the refrigerator regularly and discard inedible food.
• Lock firearms in a cabinet or drawer, or remove them from the house.
• Don’t allow unsupervised access to firearms. Be prepared for emergencies.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers and addresses for local police and fire departments, hospitals, and poison control help lines.
• Check fire extinguishers and smoke alarms, and conduct fire drills regularly.

Caring for an Alzheimer’s patient can be a huge burden. When it
becomes too hard and too time consuming for you to take care of
your loved one, it may be time to look for a nursing home.

Research into Alzheimer’s Disease

 

Some stunning progress has been made in recent years in unraveling the complex biological processes involved with Alzheimer’s, and scientists are slowly obtaining a clearer picture of what actually happens to the brain when Alzheimer’s strikes.

Determining how the brain changes under normal aging conditions and what relevance these have to Alzheimer’s is a highly important area of research.

As improvements are made in understanding of the genetic effects of Alzheimer’s Disease, scientists will continue to look for clues as to which protein structures hasten the initiation of the disease process, what mechanisms cause it, and what the precise sequence of events is.

Once they understand these, they can then look for new ways to diagnose, treat or even halt or prevent Alzheimer’s Disease.

Although the causes remain unknown, there are a number of

theories which range from using too many drugs, long-term

exposure to aluminum cookware and utensils, nutritional

deficiencies, food allergies or possibly a viral connection.

There are no labs tests that can detect the existance of

Alzheimers because it particularly difficult to diagnose.

Dementia may result from hardening of the arteries which slowly

cuts off the supply of blood to the brain.

In 1907, a German neurologist named Alois Alzheimer, first
identified the disorder which is characterized by mental
deterioration that interferes with the ability to function
socially.