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Alzheimer’s Disease Research Paper

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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer is a disease and not a natural process of aging. It is a condition that

causes abnormal changes in the brain leading to memory loss and other mental

disabilities. Other symptoms that are associated with this disease include, the loss of

reasoning ability, decision-making ability, language, judgment, and other critical

skills needed for daily or regular activities. According to the American Psychiatric

Association, the likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer is 1 in every 10 people.

It further approximates that 1 in 40 American adults over the age of 60 suffers from

severe cases of Alzheimer’s dementia(Alzheimer's Association 460). In moderate cases

of the disease, the prevalence rate is 3 in 40, while in the mild cases it is 4 in 40. The

American Psychiatric Association further estimates that there are currently over 5

million people in the United States with Dementia, and this statistic will quadruple in

the next 20 years(Alzheimer's Association 460).

There are two types of classification of Alzheimer’s disease depending on the age

when the symptoms of the disease begin to appear. The early-onset Alzheimer also

commonly known as familial Alzheimer normally occurs in patients who are at the

age of 65 years or younger(Kraus 4). The late-onset Alzheimer occurs after the age of

65 years. The risk factors of the Alzheimer’s disease are having a history of family

members that have previously been diagnosed with the condition, suffering head

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trauma, little education, and ethnic background(Kraus 4). Studies have shown that

African Americans are nearly twice as likely as whites to be diagnosed with this

condition. In addition to that, Hispanic Americas are approximately 1.5 times more

likely to be diagnosed with the condition than whites(Kraus 4).

It is important to point out that Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia

that affects older adults. However, even though the terms ‘Alzheimer’ and ‘Dementia’

are normally used interchangeably these conditions are not the same. Dementia refers

to a set of symptoms such as memory loss, difficulties in terms of thinking, problem

solving and language issues. It is caused by the damage to the brain cells as a result of

a major head trauma or stroke that leads to the damage of the brain cells. However,

Alzheimer is a disease that leads to the destruction of the brain cells and is a

contributing factor to dementia.

The actual cause and progression of the AD have not yet been fully understood.

There is evidence illustrating that the first changes in the brain that will subsequently

lead to the development of Alzheimer happen as much as 15 years before other

symptoms such as memory loss are seen(Ali 1). As the disease progresses the patient

exhibits more symptoms other than memory loss such as the loss of reasoning and

decision-making ability, and other critical skills that are needed to conduct daily

activities without the assistance from other people in most cases a friend or family

member.

Alzheimer disease has no real cure, and in most cases, it is the family members

who will offer care and support to the patient as his or her health condition

deteriorates, one of the main reasons why it is referred to as a family disease. The

caregiver has to sacrifice his or her time, finances, and social livelihood in order to

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Surname 1 Name Professor Name Course Date ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE Alzheimer is a disease and not a natural process of aging. It is a condition that causes abnormal changes in the brain leading to memory loss and other mental disabilities. Other symptoms that are associated with this disease include, the loss of reasoning ability, decision-making ability, language, judgment, and other critical skills needed for daily or regular activities. According to the American Psychiatric Association, the likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer is 1 in every 10 people. It further approximates that 1 in 40 American adults over the age of 60 suffers from severe cases of Alzheimer’s dementia(Alzheimer's Association 460). In moderate cases of the disease, the prevalence rate is 3 in 40, while in the mild cases it is 4 in 40. The American Psychiatric Association further estimates that there are currently over 5 million people in the United States with Dementia, and this statistic will quadruple in the next 20 years(Alzheimer's Association 460). There are two types of classification of Alzheimer’s disease depending on the age when the symptoms of the disease begin to appear. The early-onset Alzheimer also commonly known as familial Alzheimer normally occurs in patients who are at the age of 65 years or younger(Kraus 4). The late-onset Alzheimer occurs after the age of 65 years. The risk factors of the Alzheimer’s disease are having a history of family members that have previously be ...
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Tags: abnormal changes in the brain Memory Loss mental disabilities loss of reasoning ability American Psychiatric Association