Alzheimer's Disease Relates to Aging - Research Paper Example

 Alzheimer's disease Relates To Aging Alzheimer's is a brain disorder that results to retardation of ability to recall, to make judgment and reasoning of the affected person (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2014). Although the actual cause of Alzheimer’s is not well known medical researchers estimate that a combination of lifestyle, environmental and genetic conditions is the likely causes of the disorder. For that reason, various persons have varying degree of developing the condition because of their genetic and lifestyle variations, as well as different environmental exposures. Alzheimer’s is common among the aged persons than in younger persons (Swaab et al., 2011). This document examines The Prevalence Of Alzheimer’s Among The Elderly Persons And The Resources Available In Marshall County for helping the victims of the condition. As persons advance in age, the body undergoes various changes in their brains and results to dementias (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2014). For example, the brain shrinks that occur in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. The shrinking of the brain interferes with memory, learning, planning, etc. The changes in neurons and neurotransmitters can degrade the white matter and result to reduction in communication (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2014). In some instances, plagues and tangles structures develops outside and inside of the neurons respectively thus causing the brain cells to stop working and eventually die thus causing failure of memory, change in characters and complications with carry out day to day activities (Swaab et al., 2011). Also, changes in blood vessels occur with age, resulting to reduced blood flow due to narrowing of the arteries and less growth of new capillaries. With age, there is an increase in brain inflammation and increase in damages caused by free radicals that interfere with normal functioning of the brain (Swaab et al., 2011). The changes in brain that occurs with age are the most likely cause of Alzheimer’s among the elderly persons. The most notable change in brain with age is atrophy or the shrinking of some parts of the brain, the secretion on wobbly molecules known as free radicals, the brain inflammation and dysfunction of the mitochondrial resulting to collapse of generation of energy within the cells (Swaab et al., 2011). Cause of Disorder Genetic factors Various studies have established that five percent of persons with Alzheimer’s occur due to inherited factors from the parents. An example is the familial Alzheimer’s disorder caused by alterations occurring in one of the inheritable genes in human beings (NIHSeniorHealth, 2012). Late onset of Alzheimer’s occurs at the age of 60 years, and the occurrence is as associated with apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene. APOE gene occurs in different forms such as APOEε4 whose presence in the body increases the chance of late Alzheimer’s (Swaab et al., 2011). Lifestyle and environmental factors Physical exercises, healthy diet, social commitment and mental inspiring activities can help people stay healthy even as they advance in age. Retardation in mental, cognitive ability is influenced by vascular and metabolic state of affairs such as heart disorders, high blood pressures, obesity, stroke and diabetes (UCSF Memory and Aging Center, 2014). Diagnosis Alzheimer's disorder can be diagnosed by asking patients about their past health conditions; ability to perform their activities, their characteristics and changes in their conducts (Taft Group, 2007). The physician can conducts memory test by asking the patient questions, conducting normal medical test such as blood and urine to test to establish the cause of the disorder and can perform brain inspection such as magnetic resonance imaging to establish the Alzheimer’s from condition from other disorders with related conditions such as tumor or stroke (Swaab et al., 2011). The tests should be repeated over time to develop the changes in mental status of the conditions. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s condition is very essential because it enables the family members to prepare for financial support network for the patient in advance. In addition, it enables health care providers to apply early clinical trial to establish the treatments procedure and drugs that can work better for the patient (NIHSeniorHealth, 2012). Symptoms The most common sign of Alzheimer’s is the loss of memory thus making the victim to easily forget information learned recently such as dates and events (Los Angeles Magazine, 2004). If the condition occurs in elderly persons, it makes them forget their names or appointments easily only to recall them later. The aging persons have problem balancing calculations, use familiar gadgets such as operating a television, failure to recognize the days of the week, developing cataracts that despairs their vision, inability to maintain focus in a conversation, poor decision-making, misplacing of items from time-to-time and likelihood to establish a particular way of doing things (Swaab et al., 2011). The patients with Alzheimer’s condition exhibit symptoms such as agitation, sleeplessness, anxiety, wandering, depression and anger. Treatment of the disorder The treatment of Alzheimer’s involves prevention, delay or curative strategies. Some of the strategies involve helping people to sustain mental tasks, delaying disease symptoms and managing behavioral symptoms. In order to maintain the mental functions there are four types of drugs used for maintaining thinking, talking skills and enhance memory as well as improving behavioral problems (Los Angeles Magazine, 2004). The drug may not be effective to some people and cannot transform disease developments. There are four recommended by the U.S. Food and drug Administration for dealing with Alzheimer’s conditions. The recommended drugs include galantamine, Donepezil, Memantine and rivastigmine (Taft Group, 2007). Organizations and programs to assist Alzheimer’s Patients in Marshall County There are various institutions and health care organizations offering assistance to the aging persons with Alzheimer’s condition in Marshall County. The groups include friends, family, attendants and voluntary caregivers who offer assistance to the patients through telephone, internet, resources and emotional support (NIHSeniorHealth, 2012). For example, Home Instead Senior Care in Marshall County, TN. This organization offers support to elderly individuals through non-medical elder care services such as home helper services, companion care, respite care, Alzheimer’s care and personal care services (Swaab et al., 2011). They offer unique Alzheimer’s and Dementia Changing Aging through Research and Education (CARE) Program aimed at encouraging and assisting the patients with research-based education and care. They direct the patients on how they can manage their conditions. The CAREGivers gives care of high quality to the people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (Taft Group, 2007). The CARE services assist patients with intellectual motivating actions, support to the family, promoting engagement and social interactions, supervise behavior change, etc. Also, the National Institute on Aging: This institution cares for people with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s on day-to-day tasks such as organization for doctor’s visit to the patients, making decisions on hospitalization of the elderly Alzheimer’s patients, and ensuring the elderly patients are provided with proper diet (NIHSeniorHealth, 2012). Other organizations include Alzheimer’s Support Group, Alzheimer’s Units, Alzheimer’s Services of Marshall County and Hospice of Marshall County (offering hospice services) (Taft Group, 2007). Conclusion Advance in age results to retarded mental ability to learn and retrieve information. They may be unable to carry out complex activities such as paying attention, memory, etc. Some of the causes of this condition include change in lifestyle, environmental, genetic and physical body wellness. However, as persons advance in age they can engage in physical activities, eat a healthy diet, maintain close social interactions and intellectually stimulating activities, and reducing, risk elements associated with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and coronary diseases. References Los Angeles Magazine, (2004). Los Angeles Magazine, Volume 49, Incorporated. NIHSeniorHealth. (2012). Alzheimer's disease. Retrieved September 7th, 2014 from Http://nihseniorhealth.gov/alzheimersdisease/whatisalzheimersdisease/01.html Swaab, D. F., Fliers, E. & Haaren, F. V. (2011). Aging of the Brain and Alzheimer's disease Netherlands: Elsevier Taft Group, (2007). Corporate Giving Directory. Taft Group: University of Michigan UCSF Memory and Aging Center. (2014). Alzheimer's disease. 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