Understanding What Alzheimer’s Disease Is All About
Alzheimer’s disease is a mild form of Dementia and it usually takes hold during the later stages of a person’s life. The research that has been done on this particular subject is still relatively new and there is still a lot that we need to learn about it.
Memory Loss And Cognitive Deterioration
As the disease begins to set in, patients begin to lose their memory. This is perhaps one of the most well-known aspects of this disorder. Many people worry that they have this problem because they are forgetful, but this disease is more severe than the tendency to misplace objects.
The brain begins to alter both chemically and structurally as this disease sets in and this severely hinders the brain from creating, learning, or remembering new and old information.
Who Is At Risk?
If you have family members who have suffered with this disorder then you might be at risk. Your age is another factor that needs to be taken into account; after the age of 65, you become more vulnerable to developing this illness. There are other factors, such as smoking, which will increase your chances of developing this disease.
The 3 Stages Of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease can usually be divided into 3 stages: the early stage, the moderate stage, and the severe or late stage. During the early stage, you will probably notice that your memory is failing you. Forgetting dates, names, and places become commonplace and you will also notice mild coordination problems.
The moderate stage is marked by an increase in memory loss, confused speech, and even tremors. During the late stage, you will lose the ability to remember, communicate or process information and you will be unable to care for yourself.
Treating This Disease
Although the research on this subject is still relatively new there are many drugs on the market that are being tested and seem to be having an effect on the patients that they are tested on. Brain deterioration cannot be reversed but there are ways in which it can be slowed down and this is why treatment needs to begin as soon as possible.
Exercise and a healthy diet are also important aspects of this treatment as they all contribute to the well-being of the brain. Mental exercises can also help in this regard and they need to be practiced as often as possible.
Preventing The Disease
Constantly using your brain is one way to ensure that you keep it in the best possible condition. Keeping busy with brain games and making sure that you are eating right are two ways in which you can assist your brain in preventing this disease.
Another way to prevent this problem from occurring is to make sure that your heart is kept in the best possible condition.
Avoiding high blood pressure, strokes, and heart disease is a great way to keep your brain and the rest of your body as healthy as possible. Alzheimer’s disease can be successfully avoided if the right preventative measures are taken.
