Alzheimer's Disease

BIOLOGY 1409

PresentationBy

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May 3, 2010

ALZHEIMER'S

Alzheimer's disease develops slowly over time. The symptoms

begin to appear so gradually that it is often mistaken for normal aging. Learn more about the Alzheimer's diagnosis, treatment options, and how to recognize the symptoms.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient. All quotes included in this Web site represent the individual experience of some doctors, some patients, and their caregivers. Individual responses to ARICEPT treatment may vary. Actual identities have been changed to protect individual privacy. The licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only; and any person depicted in the licensed material, if any, is a model. This site is intended for residents of the United States only. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries.

What is Alzheimer's?

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. It is a progressive and degenerative disease, which means that it gets worse over time. Currently, it is estimated that as many as 5.2 million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer's disease.1 This number is expected to grow over the next 50 years as the population ages and life span increases.2When someone has Alzheimer's disease, nerve cells die in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities, and connections between nerve cells are disrupted. There are also lower levels of some of the chemicals in the brain that carry messages back and forth between nerve cells. This affects memory, judgment, and thinking, which in turn may hinder a person's ability to handle day-to-day activities.*Through research, we are learning more about how Alzheimer's affects the brain. We do not yet know how to prevent or cure it, but we do know how to treat its symptoms.

Alzheimer's Causes and Risk Factors

It is not known what causes Alzheimer's disease. Researchers suspect that it could be caused by multiple factors that affect each person differently. While the scope of those factors is not completely known, age is the main risk factor. Alzheimer's disease affects 3% of the population between the ages of 65 and 74. But estimates suggest that 19% of those older than 75 years and 47% of those older than 85 years have the disease.

Important Safety Information

ARICEPT is well tolerated but may not be for everyone. People at risk for stomach ulcers or who take certain other medicines should tell their doctors because serious stomach problems, such as bleeding, may get worse. Some people who take ARICEPT may experience fainting. Some people may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bruising, or not sleep well. Some people may have muscle cramps or loss of appetite or may feel tired. In studies these were usually mild and temporary.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient. All quotes included in this Web site represent the individual experience of some doctors, some patients, and their caregivers. Individual responses to ARICEPT treatment may vary. Actual identities have been changed to protect individual privacy.

Signs & Symptoms

Sometimes early stage symptoms are mistaken for normal aging. Knowing the difference can help you get treatment sooner, before the symptoms become worse.

The sole purpose of the information below is to illustrate the progression of Alzheimer's disease. It is not intended to depict information about ARICEPT. 

Normal AgingEarly Signs of Alzheimer's Forgetting the names of people you rarely see

Forgetting the names of people close to you Briefly forgetting part of an experience

Forgetting a recent experience Not putting things away properly Putting things

away in strange places Mood changes because of an appropriate cause

Having unpredictable mood changes  Changes in your interestsDecreased interest in

activities Alzheimer's Symptoms: Mild, Moderate, and

Severe Alzheimer's progresses in three stages over 8 to 10 years, on average, after diagnosis.

Alzheimer's Symptoms: Mild, Moderate, and Severe

Alzheimer's progresses in three stages over 8 to 10 years, on average, after diagnosis People with mild Alzheimer's disease may:Have memory loss and poor memory of recent eventsHave trouble naming common itemsAsk the same thing over and overGet lost easilyLose interest in things they once liked to doLose things more often than normalHave personality changesBe worried or depressed

As time goes by, Alzheimer's patients lose the ability to do everyday things. During the early stages of Alzheimer's, tasks such as talking on the phone or making a meal can become difficult. In the later stages of Alzheimer's, simpler things like getting dressed and eating can become hard to do.

What to Watch For

Alzheimer's symptoms may not appear the same way in every person. The main thing you should watch for is a change from normal behavior in your loved one. If you're seeing any unusual lapses in memory or if your loved one experiences uncharacteristic mood swings, make a special appointment to see the doctor.

Sharing with Family Members

You might find that some family members resist the idea that changes could be related to Alzheimer's disease. This is normal; it's a hard disease to face. If you are seeing Alzheimer's symptoms in a loved one, engage other family members early. If you take note of symptoms as a group, it might help everyone face the issue reasonably.

Here are some tips to help you talk to family members:

Tell them calmly that you are seeing changes that you think warrant a doctor visit. Ask if they would like to join you.

Keep a log of symptoms to share. Perhaps those who do not live near your loved one haven't seen evidence of changes. Or, conversely, those who live nearest may not notice symptoms as much since symptoms progress very gradually.

Explain that medication can help your loved one remain functional for longer than without medication. ARICEPT slows the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms. Starting Alzheimer's treatment earlier means you can start slowing symptoms sooner.

Being afraid of the diagnosis is normal. But keep in mind that receiving a diagnosis of dementia may be a relief. In one study, a diagnosis of dementia significantly decreased patient anxiety. Getting a diagnosis can be empowering, and might help you make informed decisions to help your loved one.

Caring Day to Day

Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is not easy. In fact, it may even seem like a full-time job.

You may need to learn new skills to cope with your loved one's needs. You may have to change your daily routine to make time for care giving. Involve as many family members as possible. Try to distribute care giving tasks among several people to ease tension. If some family members live away from home, ask if the doctor can put them on speaker phone during the visit. This will help ease the burden on the primary caregiver.

Here are some tips from nurses. CommunicationDiscover how to talk to yo

ur loved one and communicate to other family members. Home SafetySafeguard the home to prevent accidents.

DrivingFind out what to do when it's time for your loved one to stop driving.Daily ActivitiesLearn how to help your loved one with basic day-to-day activities.Behavior IssuesGet tips for dealing with common problems like trouble sleeping, wandering, and agitation.

Quality TimeSpend your time together constructively.Legal & Financial ConcernsTake steps now to protect your loved one's future.Long-Distance CaregivingYou can still manage a loved one's care even if you don't live nearby.