Are you getting old? or are you suffering from Alzheimer's Disease?
As we get older we become more forgetful. Old age often results in memory loss but Alzheimer's disease can cause loss of cognition, which includes things like memory, understanding, communication, and reasoning.
What is Cognition?
It simply refers to "Thinking". Conscious reasoning is something like, us doing our laundry, cooking food for dinner and playing volleyball but thought takes many delicate or precise forms, such as interpreting sensory input, guiding physical actions, and empathizing with others.
If you're suffering from Alzheimer's it causes loss of cognition.
Remember my previous blog here where I talk about my lola who's suffering from this kind of illness? They were here now in the Philippines and is currently on a vacation in the province (the kid and I will spend time with them too... SOON). I was not able to meet them since I have an important errand the day they arrive and since they have a flight early next day, I don't get to see them still. But my sister and kid went to our Tito's place where they stayed for the night before their flight, she said our Lola is a totally different person now. He was diagnosed of alzheimer's almost 3 years back but the deterioration is so fast.
Remember the movie Benjamin Button? She's somewhat like that now! Not on the physical aspects though! She acts and think like a child.
But one thing my sister notices is that, even if she's getting hyperactive at times and sleeps less than usual - aside from the fact that she can't remember us anymore (which is the sad part) - She is still the same granny that we grow up with who's very tidy and neat. Our lola is super OC (obessisive compulsive - the good type, ok?) and wanted things neatly in place. We grow up with that type of lola. hehe Even if she's suffering from alzheimer's? Forgets everyone (now & then)? What was not lost from her is her OCness hehe She's super clean and according to my sister, is always fixing things up and would like to clean the house! I miss that one haha I can't help but smile.
My sister was working before in a nursing home and has patients who's suffering from alzheimer's too. She said, "Makikita mo talaga na kahit may sakit na sila, kung ano sila dati, yon ang hindi nawawala. May patient ako, sobrang ayaw maligo, magbihis etc. and meron naman halos oras-oras gusto maligo." I told her, you would really know what they are and used to be! May be it's God's work of miracle. He'll take something back but leave something precious.
Ok, let's go back to our topic!
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 60. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people.
The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer noticed changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness. Her symptoms included memory loss, language problems, and unpredictable behavior. After she died, he examined her brain and found many abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (now called neurofibrillary tangles).
Plaques and tangles in the brain are two of the main features of Alzheimer’s disease. The third is the loss of connections between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.
Although treatment can help manage symptoms in some people, currently there is no cure for this devastating disease.
What Happens to the Brain?
Although we still don’t know how the Alzheimer’s disease process begins, it seems likely that damage to the brain starts a decade or more before problems become evident. During the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease, people are free of symptoms, but toxic changes are taking place in the brain. Abnormal deposits of proteins form amyloid plaques and tau tangles throughout the brain, and once-healthy neurons begin to work less efficiently. Over time, neurons lose the ability to function and communicate with each other, and eventually they die.
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms
Memory Loss and Alzheimer's Disease
Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of Alzheimer's disease. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.What's Normal Aging? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.
Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks Because It Could Be Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer's disease often find it hard to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps needed to prepare a meal, place a telephone call, or play a game.What's Normal Aging? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.
Problems with Language May Be a Sign of Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer's disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may not be able to find the toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth."What's Normal Aging? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
Disorientation to Time and Place Due to Alzheimer's Disease
People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.What's Normal Aging? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.
Poor or Decreased Judgment Due to Alzheimer's Disease
Those with Alzheimer's disease may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day, or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment about money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers.What's Normal Aging? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.
Problems with Abstract Thinking–Is It Alzheimer's Disease?
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are and how they should be used.What's Normal Aging? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.
Misplacing Things–a Sign of Alzheimer's Disease
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places: an iron might go in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.What's Normal Aging? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.
Changes in Mood or Behavior in Alzheimer's Disease Patients
Someone with Alzheimer's disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.What's Normal Aging? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.
Changes in Personality Due to Alzheimer's Disease
The personalities of people with Alzheimer's disease can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful, or dependent on a family member.What's Normal Aging? People's personalities do change somewhat with age.
Loss of Initiative Due to Alzheimer's Disease
A person with Alzheimer's disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to do usual activities.What's Normal Aging? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations.
Can you now identify from which of these 2 are you suffering from?
Me? I'm still scared... that's all I know! **just saying "i think i have 80% + chance of uhhmmm ahhhh knock on wood!!!
Managing Behavioral Symptoms
Common behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s include sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, anger, and depression. Scientists are learning why these symptoms occur and are studying new treatments—drug and non-drug—to manage them. Treating behavioral symptoms often makes people with Alzheimer’s more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers.
Slowing, Delaying, or Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease research has developed to a point where scientists can look beyond treating symptoms to think about addressing underlying disease processes. In ongoing clinical trials, scientists are looking at many possible interventions, such as immunization therapy, cognitive training, physical activity, antioxidants, and the effects of cardiovascular and diabetes treatments.
Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease can have high physical, emotional, and financial costs. The demands of day-to-day care, changing family roles, and difficult decisions about placement in a care facility can be hard to handle. Researchers have learned much about Alzheimer’s caregiving, and studies are helping to develop new ways to support caregivers.
Becoming well-informed about the disease is one important long-term strategy. Programs that teach families about the various stages of Alzheimer’s and about flexible and practical strategies for dealing with difficult caregiving situations provide vital help to those who care for people with Alzheimer’s.
Developing good coping skills and a strong support network of family and friends also are important ways that caregivers can help themselves handle the stresses of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease. For example, staying physically active provides physical and emotional benefits.
Some Alzheimer’s caregivers have found that participating in a support group is a critical lifeline. These support groups allow caregivers to find respite, express concerns, share experiences, get tips, and receive emotional comfort. Many organizations, such as those listed in the “For More Information” section, sponsor in-person and online support groups across the country. There are a growing number of groups for people in the early stage of Alzheimer’s and their families. Support networks can be especially valuable when caregivers face the difficult decision of whether and when to place a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
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