Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia in older individuals. It is believed that 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease, which normally begins after the age of 60 with the risk going up as a person ages. There are a few cases of persons under the age of 60 also having Alzheimer’s Disease but it is rare. The one thing everyone must realize when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease is that it is not a natural part of the aging process. 
 
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease

The causes of Alzheimer’s Disease may not be completely understood at this time; however, it is believed that there are several factors that bring on Alzheimer’s Disease. Even though a person has Alzheimer’s Disease that does not necessarily mean they will have the same symptoms as a person down the street with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

One form of Alzheimer’s Disease that occurs with persons between the ages of 30 and 60 known as early-onset familial AD is one that is inherited. On the other hand, the most common is the late onset that occurs later in life and does not show any signs of hereditary. With the late onset Alzheimer’s it has been noted that a protein known as apolipoprotein E is present. This protein carries cholesterol throughout the blood in every person; however, only about 15% of the nation has the form that is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Other genes may also be risk factors, but at this time, more research needs to be done in order to identify other genes. 

Besides genetics, some scientists believe that diet and the environment may also play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease. Other factors that might possibly play a role include low levels of vitamin folate, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. 

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

The symptoms normally begin very slowly with mild forgetfulness. This is a common problem as people age and does not necessarily mean a person has Alzheimer’s. If a person cannot remember such things as names of family members or recent events this could be a sign of early stages of Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses forgetfulness begins to cause problems with the person’s everyday life such as not knowing how to get home, forgetting to brush their teeth, forgetting to get dressed, and so on and so forth. The next stage brings on problems reading, understanding, and speaking. Eventually Alzheimer’s patients will need care around the clock as they may leave home and wander aimlessly trying to remember where they were going or just not remember how to get home. In some cases, patients may become aggressive with family members or friends they do not recognize. 

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease

The only sure way to diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease is to learn if the person has plaques and tangles in their brain tissue. This cannot be done while a person is alive; therefore, physicians must make their diagnosis by symptoms with a result of probable Alzheimer’s. This is done by using a few methods such as answering questions such as the person’s general health, tests including attention, language, and memory, medical tests including spinal fluid, urine, and blood, and brain scans. After these results are in the doctor can either diagnose the person with another illness such as thyroid problems, brain tumor, or depression that has some of the same symptoms that is seen with Alzheimer’s. If these are ruled out, the probable cause is Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Treating Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is a slow progressive disease that starts with mild memory problems seen as forgetfulness and ends with severe brain damage. The disease may progress slowly or fast as it differs from one person to another. The average person with Alzheimer’s lives 8 to 10 years after their diagnosis while some have been know to live as long as 20 years. 

there is no known cure or treatment that will stop the progression of Alzheimer’s. There are on the other hand a few drugs that may prevent a few of the symptoms from becoming worse than they are during the early and middle stages. The drugs often used include tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and memantine. Treating symptoms such as agitation, depression, and sleeplessness are also done with the use of various medications. The only treatment at this time for Alzheimer’s patients is making them more comfortable and making it easier for their caregivers to take care of them properly.