Alzheimer's

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What is Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

Note:  This is not a substitute for a consultation with a qualified professional, and it is for information and knowledge only. Please list any concerns you have and take this sheet with you to the doctor. 

Eye test could diagnose Alzheimer's Disease

A simple eye test carried out by your optician could pick up Alzheimer's Disease years before it develops and lead to early treatment to stop it in its tracks, claim scientists.  Human chromosome 

The cause of AD is unknown and while less than seven percent of all cases are familial (linked specifically to heredity), investigators have undertaken a number of genetic studies relating AD to chromosomal factors. Thus, while the disease does not manifest from specific Alzheimer genes, it does seem to result from a combination of converging risk factors. The 23 human chromosome pairs contain all of the 30,000 genes that code the biological blueprint for a human being. This interactive illustration highlights the chromosomes containing each of the three genes that cause familial Alzheimer's and the gene with the greatest impact on Alzheimer risk.

Maybe you have any of these below warning signs?

1.  When we forget something we often joke that we have early onset ALZHEIMER’S .  Studies shown that Alzheimer’s disease is more common among individuals who sustained severe head injuries earlier in life. So Alzheimer’s disease is not a case of simple forgetfulness. Memory changes that disrupt daily life. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. 

2. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information.  Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides or family members for things they used to handle on their own.  What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

3. Alzheimer’s is a progressive, irreversible disease that attacks and kills brain cells. It is not a normal parts of aging. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, It accounts for between 55 and 71 percent of all dementia cases. A general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life.  eg- Challenges in planning or solving problems. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.

4. People with the condition gradually lose their memory and encounter difficulties with language and emotions.  Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.  People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks.  Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.  What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.  What’s typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

5. It has recognisable symptoms ; confusion, memory loss and possible personality change. Confusion with time or place.  People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Eg. Recalling information.  Memory of recent even(short-term memory) is affected first. As the disease spreads, long-term memory is also lost. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.  What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

6. Alzheimer’s also affects other brain functions, distributing some aspects of behaviour.  Abnormal material called ‘tangles’ from in the centre of the brain cells while plaques build up outside, disrupting messages in the brain and preventing memory. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships.  For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not recognize their own reflection.  What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts.

7. New problems with words in speaking or writing, loss of previously well-learned information and skills; how to dress, eat and walk, when to sleep.  People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. It takes longer to do routine tasks. The person loses the point of the conversation, repeats him-herself, forget well-known people or places, cannot process questions and instructions. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").  What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

8. Becomes emotionally  unpredictable and slowly loses manual, social and language skills.  Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. The person maybe unaware of the severity of his problems.  A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places.  They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again.  Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing.  This may occur more frequently over time.  What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the car key control.