StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Alzheimers Disease - Assignment Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper “Alzheimer’s Disease” focuses on the most common form of dementia among older people. It is a serious condition which affects the simple brain functions such as a memory by those affected by it. It is estimated that approximately 5 million Americans are affected by this disease…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.7% of users find it useful
Alzheimers Disease
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Alzheimers Disease"

Download file to see previous pages

The frequency of AD increases with each adult of decade life, reaching 20-40% of the population over the age of 85 (Fauci et.al, 2008). It is present in approximately 3% to 11% of people older than 65 years of age and in 25% to 47% of people older than 85% (Seidel et.al, 2006). The cognitive changes with AD tend to follow a characteristic pattern, beginning with memory impairment and spreading to language and visuospatial deficits (Fauci et al., 2008). Initially, patients present with "forgetfulness", with them having difficulty remembering recent events or names of familiar people.

However, as the disease progresses, their cognition is affected and they no longer think clearly. Eventually, language deficits will present problems in speaking, understanding, reading, or writing. Problems with simple activities of daily living (ADL) such as dressing, eating and solving simple calculations will soon follow. The most important risk factors for AD are old age & a positive family history (Fauci, et.al, 2008). The risk for AD increases with increasing age and although most cases do not show an inheritance patter, there is Familial Alzheimer's Disease which is an inherited and rare form of this disease, occurring at an earlier onset. . Females are affected more than males.

At present, the only way to definitely diagnose Alzheimer'sis through a brain autopsy but for living patients, physicians can correctly diagnose Alzheimer'sdisease about 90 percent of the time based on mental and behavioral symptoms, a physical examination, neuropsychological tests and laboratory tests (Alzheimer's Disease Research, 2008). A thorough subjective and objective assessment is pertinent to do in a patient suspected of having AD. Signs and symptoms experienced by the patient, especially of mental and behavioral deficits, and complete family history should be obtained from the patient.

Physical examination and neuropsychological examinations are also performed to confirm or rule out any pathology causing other types of dementia. Brain scans such as MRI and CT Scan can show characteristic structural changes present in Alzheimer's disease as well as rule out brain tumors or ischemia as the cause for dementia. EEG can also be performed to measure the brain activity of the patient. Neuropsychological examinations include the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), to help confirm that the patient is experiencing problems with intellectual functions (Alzheimer's Disease Research, 2008).

Patients who have a family history should undergo tests in their early 30's to '40s and as a general screening, older population, especially those with initial symptoms should have Health Assessment 4themselves tested in their 50's or 60's. The tests can be repeated every 6 or 12 months, to verify the degree of progression of dementia. Non-pharmacological prevention strategies include early prevention and lifestyle modification. 

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Alzheimers Disease Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words, n.d.)
Alzheimers Disease Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1505279-alzheimers-disease
(Alzheimers Disease Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
Alzheimers Disease Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1505279-alzheimers-disease.
“Alzheimers Disease Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1505279-alzheimers-disease.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Alzheimers Disease

Nursing Clients with Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimer's disease starts with a slowly worsening condition of memory.... But the specialists state that this cannot be a reason to worry, as insignificant problems with memory happen due to age-specific processes in human's organism, slowing mental activity etc. … All these problems do not affect person's capacity to hear and recognize new information, understand the meaning of the words addresses to this person, analyze the information, and carry out daily chores, as it happens with those who are from Alzheimer 's disease....
14 Pages (3500 words) Essay

The Biology of Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimer's disease represents In the paper “The Biology of Alzheimer's disease” the author discusses the most common cause of adult dementia.... This disease is pathologically characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques in the parenchyma cells of the brain.... This disease usually occurs in mid to late adult life, with increasing defects in memory and higher cognitive functions like apraxia and reasoning....
3 Pages (750 words) Assignment

The Nature of the Alzheimers Disease

This paper "The Nature of the Alzheimer's disease" focuses on the fact that to lose one's memory seems like a plot twist out of a science fiction story, but for millions of people, it is a reality.... Alzheimer's disease is one of the most common diseases in older people that affect the brain.... nbsp; … The disease was named after the German psychiatrist and neuropathologist that discovered the disease, Alois Alzheimer....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study

Combating Alzheimers Disease

This essay "Combating Alzheimer's disease" will tackle on designing a program for elders having Alzheimer's disease and justifying whether home care or nursing home care is the most effective way of promoting wellness of these individuals.... hellip; While Alzheimer's disease has no exact treatment, a rule is that aging is in fact inevitable, but the diseases that correspond to aging are avoidable.... Motivation from family members, the commitment of the health care providers, and respect on the integrity of the individual will lead to success on wellness and prolonging life to an individual having Alzheimer's disease for both home care and nursing home care setting....
7 Pages (1750 words) Literature review

Genetic Testing of Alzheimers Disease

Genetic Testing for Alzheimers Disease in People Without Symptoms.... This paper "Genetic Testing of Alzheimer's disease" focuses on the fact that several recent studies presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference indicated that changes in the way a person walks -decreased speed and control are linked to severe decreases in cognitive control.... nbsp;… In the article Fogarty states that healthy people who have a family history of early-onset Alzheimer's disease in their families may wish to get tested for AD....
6 Pages (1500 words) Annotated Bibliography

Treatment of Alzheimers Disease

"Treatment of Alzheimer's disease" paper provides a critical analysis of six peer-reviewed articles that provide insight into the medical treatment of Alzheimer's disease.... nbsp; … The results generated by the author depicted that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is present more in people aged 65 and older, which comes about 5.... (2012), the current treatment of this disease consists of cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine galantamine)....
6 Pages (1500 words) Literature review

Alzheimers disease and Its Neural Correlates

The author of the paper “Alzheimer's disease and Its Neural Correlates” states Enhanced understanding of the Alzheimer's disease with thorough knowledge about the pathophysiology of the disorder will help design proper management and diagnostic plans.... Alzheimer's disease is one most common forms of dementia and is caused to neurodegeneration.... Several studies have tried to understand the disease by utilizing the method of neuroimaging since neuroimaging is extremely accurate....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Main Aspects of Alzheimers Disease

The author of this essay "Main Aspects of Alzheimer's disease " describes the main reasons for this disease.... nbsp;…  The following is a description of the family history as the cause of Alzheimer's disease according to the Emory University School of Medicine article, “Family History of Alzheimer's disease”....  Despite the fact that the real causes of Alzheimer's disease are not yet conclusively known studies have, however, shown a close correlation between late-onset Alzheimer's disease and Family History....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us