Results
- Q
- How do doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s?
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- There is no single test that proves a person has Alzheimer’s. Instead the doctor will conduct a medical workup. The medical workup is designed to evaluate overall health and identify any conditions that could affect how well the mind works. The doctor will interview the person being examined or family members to gather information about current and past illnesses. The doctor will also obtain a history of medical conditions affecting other family members, especially whether they may have had Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder. It is helpful to bring a list of all the medications the person is taking. The doctor will obtain a history of key medical conditions affecting other family members, especially whether they may have had Alzheimer's disease or related disorders. Typically the doctor will perform a mini-mental state examination (MMSE). The MMSE is one of the tests most commonly used to assess mental function. In the MMSE, a health professional asks a patient a series of questions designed to test a range of everyday mental skills. After the doctor performs the workup and testing they may then recommend that the person being examined receive neurological exams. Currently, a standard medical workup for Alzheimer’s disease often includes structural imaging with MRI or, less frequently, CT. These images are used primarily to detect tumors, evidence of small or large strokes, damage from severe head trauma or a buildup of fluid.
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- How does Alzheimer’s affect the brain?
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- The brain has 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Each nerve cell communicates with many others to form networks. Nerve cell networks have special jobs. Some are involved in thinking, learning and remembering. Other help us see hear and smell. Still others tell our muscles when to move. In Alzheimer’s disease, as in other types of dementia, increasing numbers of brains deteriorate and die.
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- How prevalent is Alzheimer’s?
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- We estimate that every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease. There may be as many as 5.3 million individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the United States and 55,000 in Western New York. There are approximately 2-3 caregivers per person with the disease. Worldwide, the number of cases is approaching 35 million. By 2050, researchers estimate that these numbers will double or triple.
- Q
- What are some common myths associated with Alzheimer’s?
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- - Myth: Memory loss is a natural part of aging. Reality: In the past people believed memory loss was a normal part of aging, often regarding even Alzheimer’s as natural age-related decline. Experts now recognize severe memory loss as a symptom of serious illness. -Myth: Only older people can get Alzheimer's. Reality: Alzheimer's can strike people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. This is called early-onset Alzheimer's, and we estimate that 200,000 people under age 65 have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. -Myth: Aluminum, aspartame, Flu shots, and silver dental fillings either cause or increase an individual’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Reality: Studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer’s. Experts today focus on other areas of research, and few believe that everyday sources of aluminum pose any threat. As of May 2006, the FDA had not been presented with any scientific evidence that would lead to change its conclusions on the safety of aspartame for most people. The agency says its conclusions are based on more than 100 laboratory and clinical studies. A theory linking flu shots to a greatly increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease was proposed by a U.S. doctor whose license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners. Several mainstream studies link flu shots and other vaccinations to a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease and overall better health. According to the best available scientific support, there is no relationship between silver dental fillings and Alzheimer's. The concern is that these fillings typically contain mercury, a heavy metal that, in certain forms, is known to be toxic to the brain and other organs.
- Q
- What are the various stages of the disease?
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- Staging systems provide useful frames of reference for understanding how the disease may unfold and for making future plans. But it is important to note that not everyone will experience the same symptoms or progress at the same rate. People with Alzheimer’s die an average of four to six years after diagnosis, but the duration of the disease can vary from three to 20 years. Early Stage: Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice deficiencies. Problems with memory or concentration may be measurable in clinical testing or discernible during a detailed medical interview. Common difficulties include: • Word- or name-finding problems noticeable to family or close associates • Decreased ability to remember names when introduced to new people • Performance issues in social or work settings noticeable to family, friends or co-workers • Reading a passage and retaining little material • Losing or misplacing a valuable object • Decline in ability to plan or organize Middle Stage: Memory difficulties continue to worsen, significant personality changes may emerge and affected individuals need extensive help with customary daily activities. At this stage, individuals may • Decreased knowledge of recent occasions or current events • Decreased capacity to perform complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills and managing finances • Reduced memory of personal history • The affected individual may seem subdued and withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations • Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Late Stage: This is the final stage of the disease when individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, the ability to speak and, ultimately, the ability to control movement. • Frequently individuals lose their capacity for recognizable speech, although words or phrases may occasionally be uttered • Individuals need help with eating and toileting and there is general incontinence of urine • Individuals lose the ability to walk without assistance, then the ability to sit without support, the ability to smile, and the ability to hold their head up. Reflexes become abnormal and muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired.
- Q
- What are the warning signs that a person may have Alzheimer’s?
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- Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. If you notice one or more of the following signs, please see a doctor. 10 Warning Signs: 1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life 2. Challenges in planning or solving problems 3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure 4. Confusion with time or place 5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships 6. New problems with words in speaking or writing 7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps 8. Decreased or poor judgment 9. Withdrawal from work or social activities 10. Changes in mood and personality
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- What can people do to offset Alzheimer’s?
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- There is currently no known way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Research has shown a connection between several lifestyle factors and a reduced risk of dementia. These factors include socialization, exercise, life-long learning, and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats. A general rule of thumb: What’s good for your heart is good for your brain.
- Q
- What is Alzheimer’s?
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- Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and fatal brain disease. Alzheimer’s destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems with thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. As many as 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Q
- What is the mortality rate?
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- Alzheimer’s is a fatal disease and is currently the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.
Disclaimer: The above questions are for informational purposes only. Absolut Care Facilities Management, LLC. (Absolut) has attempted to ensure that the above questions contain correct and accurate information; however Absolut assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information.