Alzheimers Disease Causes - Research Paper Example

? Alzheimer’s Disease A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is devastating for the patient and their family. It means their mental faculties are in decline and that they are dying. The person they have become is slowly transitioning into a functioning body but with no memory. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder caused by genetic history and/or lifestyle choices. It progressively diminishes a person’s ability to learn, communicate and reason. Also negatively affected are a person’s behavior and personality. They generally become increasingly agitated, anxious and delusional. Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, a universal word used to describe several conditions of impaired brain functioning. About 13 percent of people 65 and older have the disease but all people have a fear of contracting it due to its debilitating nature. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s. Doctors can only treat symptoms by providing medications to slow the disease and to somewhat improve memory. Steps can be taken early on in life to prevent the disease or at least prolong and mitigate the tragic, dehumanizing effects. People with Alzheimer’s are often describes as having dementia, which is correct. Each describes a condition that occurs when the brain’s nerve cells either die or are progressively malfunctioning. When these nerve cells, neurons, cease to function properly it cause changes in a person’s behavior, memory and severely hinders their ability to think rationally. For Alzheimer’s patients, these brain abnormalities ultimately impair the person’s ability to perform fundamental bodily functions such as swallowing and as walking. Alterations of brain performance influence several other bodily functions as well such as problems urinating. Alzheimer’s patients usually experience incontinence. The physical changes in the brain affect the physiological health of the patient too, impacting the way they feel about themselves and interpret the world around them. For example, they are more likely to become agitated and aggressive. (Hall, 2010). Alzheimer’s disease leads to a premature death in all cases. Scientists still have more questions than answers regarding the causes of Alzheimer but think that for the majority of suffers, the disease is a result of a combination of sources including genetic circumstances, environmental factors and lifestyle choices. Though the specific causes of Alzheimer’s remain elusive, its debilitating effect is apparent. Simply stated Alzheimer’s disease damages and destroys brain cells. “A brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease has many fewer cells and many fewer connections among surviving cells than does a healthy brain. As more and more brain cells die, Alzheimer’s leads to significant brain shrinkage.” (Zimney, 2009). When the brain tissue of an Alzheimer’s is examined under the microscope two types of abnormalities, plaques and tangles are apparent, both are clear signs of the disease. Plaques are clumps of a beta-amyloid protein which kills brain cells. Tangles are another protein that impairs the communication between brain cells. “Threads of tau protein twist into abnormal tangles, leading to failure of the transport system.” (Causes, 2012) This failure in communication facilitates the destruction of brain cells. Genetics, family history, and age are at the top of factors when predicting the onset of Alzheimer’s. It is an old person’s disease and those whose grandparents had it are more statistically susceptible to be afflicted. The majority of people who acquire it are 65 years-old or older. After age 65, the chance of contracting Alzheimer’s doubles every five years thereafter. People over age 85 stand about a 50-50 chance of having the disease. (Zimney, 2009). For patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s, genetics is the likely culprit. They somewhat rare type of the disease generally runs in families. The role genetic play in late-onset Alzheimer’s, the more common form, is less clear. Scientists are also investigating several environmental factors that may either play some type of role in a person developing Alzheimer’s or that facilitates the disease’s progression in persons who already possess a genetic propensity. There are links between head injuries during a person’s youth and developing various forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s in later years. The evidence has been well document in cases of ex-boxers and professional football players. Lack of education, not only formal but continuing as well, decreases mental activity and therefore neuron stimulation has been suggested to at least contribute to the severity of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Chemicals found in the home or business, types of metals and infections have been rumored to cause or complicate the disease but no evidence supports it. (Simon, 2011). More than 15 million people in the U.S. are providing care for a loved one with dementia. Millions more work in retirement homes attending to these patients. The cost of treating and caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to be more than $200 Billion this year. One in eight, 13 percent of Americans over age 65 has Alzheimer’s disease. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. Just four percent of people with Alzheimer’s disease are under age 65 and six percent are 65 to 74. After that the rate climbs drastically as would be expected. Approximately half of those diagnosed are 75 and older. Women are more likely to be afflicted with Alzheimer’s than men but that is because they live longer on average. “Many studies of the agespecific incidence (development of new cases) of Alzheimer’s disease or any dementia have found no significant difference by gender. Thus, women are not more likely than men to develop dementia at any given age.” (Facts and Figures, 2012). That a person’s level of education slows the onset and severity of Alzheimer’s is presumed by the public and supported by some researchers. It makes sense; the more a person has built up in their mental reserves the longer it will take to diminish those reserves. On the other hand, some think that there are other factors for the increased possibility of dementia occurring among persons with lower level of education. Those with little education were likely raised in impoverished conditions therefore did not receive proper medical care as youths which may contribute which socioeconomic statists demonstrate. “Data indicate that in the United States, older African Americans are probably about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias as older whites, and Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s and other dementias as older whites.” (Facts and Figures, 2012). Just over 400,000 new Alzheimer’s cases were reported in 2000. That number grew to more than 450,000 for 2010. By the year 2030 more than 600,000 people are estimated to contract the disease each year and nearly one million by 2050. Unless a cure is discovered by then, in 2025, 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. That number is expected to triple by 2050. (Facts and Figures, 2012). Two types of medications, cholinesterase inhibitors such as Aricept, and memantine under brand name Namenda are used to treat Alzheimer’s. Both address cognitive symptoms including confusion, memory loss along with problems reasoning and thinking. Although these medications cannot prevent or reverse damage to brain cells, they aid in reducing and stabilizing symptoms for a brief time period by manipulating the specific chemicals involved with relaying messages between the brain’s nerve cells. Doctors have been known to prescribe both varieties of medication. High doses of vitamin E are often prescribed to counter the effects of cognitive changes caused by Alzheimer’s. Herbal remedies and dietary supplements such as Coenzyme Q10, Ginkgo Biloba and Omega-3 fatty acids have become increasingly popular. These and others non-prescription remedies have been marketed to improve memory and to prevent or delay the effects of dementia such as Alzheimer’s. “Claims about the safety and effectiveness of these products, however, are based largely on testimonials, tradition and a rather small body of scientific research. The rigorous scientific research required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the approval of a prescription drug is not required by law for the marketing of dietary supplements or ‘medical foods.’” (Treatments, 2012). There are no drugs, FDA approved or not, that will prevent or reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s. Scientists are discovering that lifestyle choices play a large role in lessening the risk of the disease. According to experts, eating healthily, exercise, staying mentally active, maintaining a healthy weight and taking supplements will lower a person’s chances of acquiring Alzheimer’s or slow down the process. A diet low-fat and high in vegetable content, particularly of the green, leafy variety is good start according to Harvard researchers. Those at UCLA found that adding the spice Tumeric to ones foods is beneficial. The incidence rate of Alzheimer’s in India is very low due to Tumeric being a staple part of their diet. Maintaining a recommended weight goes along with a proper diet and regular exercise, all of which reduce the odds of Alzheimer’s. Other diet supplements such as Folic Acid have been recommended. Staying mentally active throughout life is very important according to experts. “Using your brain to learn new information, solve problems, and form memories not only helps to maintain existing brain circuits but may also create new ones. This could prevent Alzheimer’s disease from ever developing” (Sheehan, 2009). A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is about the worst news a person and their family could hear. The crippling disease robs a formerly productive and proud elderly person of their dignity. It is also a large burden on the family who must bear the burden of expense and/or care while slowly becoming a stranger to a loved one. It is a large problem that grows by the year but there are ways to lower the risks of contracting the disease. Genetics plays a role but lifestyle does too. Taking common sense steps like staying physically and mentally healthy will help stave off or may even prevent the disease altogether. References Alzheimer's Disease Causes (2012). Mayo Clinic Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/ds00161/dsection=causes Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, Alzheimer’s & Dementia (2012). Alzheimer’s Association Volume 8, Issue 2 Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://www.alz.org/downloads/facts_figures_2012.pdf Hall, Danielle M.D. How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect the Body? Livestrong Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/223058-how-does-alzheimers-disease-affect-the-body/ Harvey Simon, MD. (2011). Alzheimer’s Disease New York Times Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/alzheimers-disease/causes.html Sheehan, Jack. (2009). 5 Ways to Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease Everyday Health Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers/alzheimers-prevention-with-lifestyle-changes.aspx Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease Alzheimer's Organization Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_treatments.asp Zimney, Ed MD. (January 9, 2009). What Is Alzheimer's Disease? Everyday Health Retrieved June 16, 2012 from http://www.everydayhealth.com/senior-health/alzheimers/understanding/index.aspx Read More