Social Effects of Alzheimer’s

What Are the Social Effects of Alzheimers malady? The growing epidemic of Alzheimers Disease plagues more than 4 million people nationwide, fit to the National Institute for Aging. The social and financial costs associated with Alzheimers Disease be on the rise with no relief in sight. Alzheimers Disease (AD), is the to the highest degree common form of Dementia. It is an irreversible disease that destroys the brain over a period of time. AD is equivalent to child development in reverse. Scientists be in possession of found that AD patients share the abnormal processing and degradation of the beta-amyloid precursor protein.Scientists have noted that there are 2 changes in the brain cells. That is brass and tangles. Plaques are made up of a sticky protein called beta amyloid, which builds up into small, sticky clumps in the cortex of the brain, intermingled with the functioning nerve cells. Tangles are made up of tau molecules, which normally form tiny tubes that support the str ucture of the brain cell. In Alzheimers patients, the molecules change shape so that the tubes collapse, causing the cell to shrink and die. It is thus far unknown how these changes occur.Alois Alzheimer first identified this disease in 1907. Generally, a person can develop this disease anywhere from 2 to 20 years later the first warning signs appear. Both men and women can become effected by AD. The older person is more likely to have it than the younger person. antiquated inherited forms of AD much(prenominal) as Familal AD, can develop in individuals as early as their 30s and 40s. Most people develop it between the ages of 65 and 75 years old. AD has no single cause, but in the last 15 years, scientists have found several risk factors that addition atomic number 53s likelihood in developing the disease.One of the main risk factors is increasing age. According to the Multi-Institutional Research in Alzheimers Genetic Epidemiology (MIRAGE) project base at Boston University S chool of Medicine shows that at all ages a womens risk of the disease is somewhat higher than mens. Scientists also cerebrate genetic predisposition plays a power to some degree. Based upon the MIRAGE projects findings, it was found that people whos both parents had AD had 1. 5 measure the risk of people with skilful one affected parent and 5 times the risk of people with 2 unaffected parents.It was also found that most people with one affected parent do not develop AD themselves. Scientists have also found that genetic mutations on chromosomes 1, 14, 12 and 21greatly increase the risk of this disease in some families. Specifically chromosome 21 cause AD in people with master syndrome. A gene on chromosomes 12 and 19 play a significant role in late on-set AD, the most common type of AD. Scientists believe that ethnicity and environmental factors play a role in the development in this disease.It has also been founded that high fat/low fiber diets have been linked to increase the risk of AD, as well as strokes, heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. It is believed that regular, moderate exercise also helps to prevent AD too. In 1998, AD researchers Erasmus University in Rotterdam found that women smokers are 2 times as likely to develop AD and men who smoke have 6 times the risk. More research is needed, as there is still no bear answer to the cause of this disease. thither are 7 peaks of Alzheimers Disease.The first dress is when the patient is cognitively normal. This is when there are no complaints or recital of any memory problems. The second stage is when the patient is precise mild and cognitive deficit. In this stage, there is forgetfulness of new names or where they put things such as glasses or keys. The third stage is when the patient has a mild cognitive decline. This is when there is trouble remembering the names of objects and material they just read. The fourth stage is when the patient has a moderate cognitive decline.This is when the patient gets lost going to familiar places and having difficulty counting and recognizing familiar people. The fifth stage is when the patient has a moderately severe cognitive decline. This is when the patient has early dementia. It is when the patient needs assistance to survive. They forget their address, phone number and where they are. The sixth stage is when the patient has a severe cognitive decline. This is when the patient has middle dementia. In this stage, they forget relatives names but not their own. They have no idea of where they are or what the date is.They seem nervous and paranoid and usually lash out. Other times they are peaceful. They also lose bladder and bowel control. Finally, in the seventh stage, the patient has a very severe cognitive decline. It is the final stage of dementia. They later cannot feed themselves, and eventually lose the ability to walk and talk. The 10 Warnings signs generally associated with AD are memory loss, difficulty performing famil iar tasks, problems with language, disorientation with regard to time and place, poor or decreased judgment, problems with abstract thinking, misplacing things, hanges in mood or behavior, changes in personality and loss of initiative. A diagnosis of Alzheimers Disease with 100% accuracy requires an examination of the brain tissue. This is typically through with(p) with an autopsy after a person dies. An autopsy of a person with Alzheimers shows their brains literally tangled and deteriorated. Although a diagnosis of probable Alzheimers is very accurate without autopsy with a complete physical examination of the patient. The diagnosis of AD is through a process of elimination after all viable causes of the symptoms are ruled out.Early diagnosis of this horrible disease is very important, as it will give time to the patient to make plans for the care of themselves and their finances. There are no cures for AD. Only 5 prescription drugs to treat AD have been approved by the FDA. Unf ortunately, none of these drugs stops the disease itself, but it slows down the process for a limited time and helps control some of the behavioral symptoms. There is no way of preventing AD. There is some indication that antioxidants such as Vitamin E and some anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen may reduce the risk of starting it.It is believed that approximately 2-4 million Americans have AD. More than 70% of Alzheimers sufferers live in their own home and the average out of pocket cost is $12,500 a year. For Alzheimers patients in residential care centers or nursing homes, the average cost is $42,000-$70,000 per person per year depending upon where they live. The average cost of Alzheimers care from diagnosis until death is $174,000. AD is very costly. Most sponsor living facilities are self-financed. Unfortunately, most people cannot afford it. V. A. benefits maybe an option for veterans.Medicare pays for up to 150 days of nursing home care, but AD does not qualify becaus e there is no possibility of rehabilitation. Medicaid is a federal program administered by individual states that pay for long term care. Unfortunately, there are umpteen restrictions and depending upon the state and or the stage of AD, the sufferer is in dictates whether or not they qualify for such a benefit. That is why this is a health crisis facing our nation. The disposal must be willing to provide more money towards research, and until a cure is found the restrictions of Medicaid must be reorganized to aid those in need.