Basics of Alzheimer's Disease

In 1906 a German physician, Alois Alzheimer, described a brain disorder that we now call alzheimer's disease. But what exactly is this terrible brain disease?

More than 5 million Americans now have alzheimer's disease. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their work, lifelong hobbies or social life. The disease gets worse with time and progresses to confusion, trouble with organizing and expressing thoughts, misplacing things, getting lost in familiar places, and changes in personality and behavior. Currently there is no cure only treatment.

Lets take a more in depth look at what Alzheimer's disease is and how it effects the brain. As we grow older our bodies change. That is a fact of life. Our skin ages, Our hair grays, and to some extent we may become a little forgetful. The difference comes when our slowed thinking and our occasional problems remembering certain things changes to serious memory loss, confusion and other major changes in the way our minds work. This may indicate that some brain cells are failing

In Alzheimer's disease, parts of the cell’s factory stop running well. Scientists are not sure exactly where the trouble starts. But just like a real factory, backups and breakdowns in one system cause problems in other areas. As damage spreads, cells lose their ability to do their jobs well. Eventually, they die.

To assist healthcare professionals treat patients with Alzheimer's, they often distinguish symptoms into two categories,“cognitive” and “behavioral and psychiatric”

Cognitive symptoms affect memory, language, judgment, planning, ability to pay attention and other thought processes.

Behavioral and psychiatric symptoms affect the way we feel and act.

Two types of drugs have been approved by the FDA for treatment of cognitive symptoms of alzheimer's disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for learning and memory. And Memantine works by regulating the activity of glutamate, a different messenger chemical involved in learning and memory.

For some people the onset of the behavioral and psychiatric symptoms can be hard for family members to handle. In different stages the symptoms can include physical or verbal outbursts, general emotional distress, restlessness, pacing, shredding paper or tissues and yelling, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not really there), and delusions (firmly held belief in things that are not real). There are two ways to treat these types of symptoms. Non-drug approach and medications to specifically treat the behavior or psychiatric symptom.

Non-drug treatments should always be approached first. Recognizing that the person is not just “acting mean or ornery,” but is having further symptoms of the disease. Care giver should learn and get a meaningful understanding of the cause and how the symptom may relate to the experience of the person with Alzheimer's. The caregiver should change the person’s environment to resolve challenges and obstacles making the environment comfortable,offering more security and ease of mind for person who has the Alzheimer's Disease.

Medications can be effective in some situations, but they must be used carefully and are most effective when combined with non-drug approaches. Medications should target specific symptoms so their effect can be monitored. Risks and benefits need to be discussed throughly with your physician. Types of drugs may include;

• Antidepressant medications for low mood and irritability
• Anxiolytics for anxiety, restlessness, verbally disruptive behavior and resistance
• Antipsychotic medications for hallucinations, delusions, aggression, agitation, hostility and uncooperativeness
• Anti-seizure drugs

Other methods of treatment might include treatment with Vitamin E. In a Federally funded study, Vitamin E was shown to slightly delay loss of ability to carry out daily activities and placement in residential care. Scientists believe that the reason Vitamin E is beneficial is because of the "anti-oxidant" properties of Vitamin E that protect nerve cells from certain kinds of chemical wear and tear. If you or your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease don't just go out and buy massive quantities of Vitamin supplement and begin taking them. Consult your physician first since too much Vitamin E can be dangerous to your system and Vitamin E may possibly interfere with other medications you are currently taking.

If you or a loved one are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, contact your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. They can connect you with the resources you need to cope with the challenges of Alzheimer’s. Many chapters also provide special programs tailored to their communities, including services for African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Latinos, rural residents and those who live alone.

To find the Alzheimer’s Association office nearest you, call 1.800.272.3900 (some one is available 24/7 to answer your call) or visit www.alz.org.

National Headquarters
Alzheimer's Association National Office 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601