Alzheimers and Dementia - Essay Example

? Alzheimer’s and Dementia Introduction Forgetting or loss of memory is a situation that affects people globally in various ways. In fact, most of the times are when people forget things but come to remember them later. According to Weiss 2012, Alzheimer’s is a different disease all the same. It is most referred to as the ‘disease of forgetting’ things as the victim does not have a chance to remember them later as a result of memory loss. Thus, the issues or things do not exist any longer and hence cannot be retrieved (Biernacki 2007) Alzheimer’s and Dementia Apparently, one of the most unusual things about Alzheimer’s is that people who have fallen victims of the condition are not aware that they are have lost their memory, and as a result of this, they are not in a position to remember most of the events in their lives. In relation to this, Alzheimer’s is exceptionally challenging to diagnose (Prasher 2005). Essentially, most physicians or doctors engage the patient in various verbal tests, physical, with the inclusion of other medical tests such as urine and blood test. Extreme cases compel the doctor to take the patient through a brain scan to establish the nature of the disease. Additionally, there is more examination for issues such as brain diseases like stroke and brain tumours, excessive use of drugs or alcohol, lack of particular vitamins or supplements, head injuries or any other body ailments (Sabbagh and Martin 2010). Of most importance to note is that, Dementia is not a disease or illnesses, but a term that is used to explain symptoms that consist of repetition of things, problem in language, getting lost in familiar places, mood swings, pay no attention to personal safety among other symptoms (Biernacki 2007). Thus, these odd behaviours became ‘dementia’ and require the attention of the doctor. However, Barrack 2012 argues that Alzheimer’s is a terminal disease whose diagnosis are quite challenging. As such, individuals with Alzheimer’s are highly likely to develop dementia although not all individuals with dementia have Alzheimer’s. With regard to the case study, Myra is a victim of Alzheimer’s as a terminal disease and has Dementia that indicates some of the symptoms that she is experiencing (Cox 2007). Causes of Alzheimer’s Although most of the people associate this condition to age, it is clear that Alzheimer’s could affect young people especially when it begins with slowly damaging the brain cells from an early state in the life of human beings, and are discovered later in life when they are of age (Sabbagh and Martin 2010). According to the case study, it is evident that Myra has been an active professional veterinarian in the previous years of her life, very passionate about animals that they reared with her late husband. Consequently, there were no signs of dementia until now when she has began forgetting things and experiencing periods of lucidity and confusion followed by extreme distress. Biernacki 2007 argues that Alzheimer’s is a condition that is expected to emerge in three ways; Sporadic or late stage Alzheimer’s, early stage Alzheimer’s and familial Alzheimer’s. In early Alzheimer’s, patients are mostly below the age of 65 years. Essentially, it develops around the age of 30 – 50 years where the patient has abnormal behavior particularly in giving judgement, has depression or periodical withdrawals disturbances, timely and special disorientation, as well as, personal changes. In familial Alzheimer’s stage, the patient’s memory worsens, he or she has slowed speech and understanding, easily irritated by situations and hyperorality. Besides, the last Alzheimer’s stage is when the patient suffers from rigidity, decreased appetite and dysphasia, incontinence of urine and faeces, communication becomes impaired and exceedingly impaired cognition among other symptoms (Barrack 2012). In regard to the case study, it is apparent that Myra is in the last stage of Alzheimer’s. Basically, being at the age of 83 years, having poor mobility, and the impaired cognition that she is suffering from denotes that Alzheimer’s had been slowly destroying her brain cell thus deteriorating her memory to a point that she does not remember losing her parent and husband. Similarly, she gradually continues to loss contact with her two children; Trevor and Jean together with her grandchildren. Treatment and Management Apparently, Alzheimer’s is a disease that cannot be easily reversed especially when it has been diagnosed in the elderly people like Myra. Hence, it is advisable that the patient is given treatment that maintains him or her a longer period of time. Essentially, the patient requires independence in order to carry personal errands such as call of nature without the need of assistance (Sharoff 2004). In addition, the patient should be provided with medical support such as medicine that could assist in improving the function of the brain thus reducing memory loss. Other medications such as anti depressants could also be used in bring down the level of depression in relation to the patient’s behavior and mood. On the other hand, Sharoff, 2004 argues that patients should have consistence support from caregivers and a series of counselling whenever possible as such kind of disease is highly likely to trigger anger from the patient once he or she understands the condition. In relation to the case study, series of counselling might not be very helpful to her as she is in the last stage of the disease. However, medication could reduce the deteriorating memory, behavior and mood (Weiss 2012). The process should be careful monitored by a caregiver with guidance from a medical practitioner. Conclusion Alzheimer’s is a disease mostly referred to as the ‘disease of forgetting’ things as the victim does not remember them later as a result of memory loss. One of the most unusual things about Alzheimer’s is that people who have fallen victims of the condition are not aware that they are have lost their memory, and as a result of this they are not in a position to remember most of the events in their lives. Alzheimer’s is a condition that is expected to emerge in three ways; Sporadic or late stage Alzheimer’s, early stage Alzheimer’s and familial or middle stage Alzheimer’s. Bibliography: Barrack, S., 2012. Advances In Research And Treatment For Alzheimer's Disease.[S.l.] : Internet Medical Pub. Biernacki, C., 2007. Dementia: metamorphosis in care. Chichester, England ; Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons. Cox, C., 2007. Dementia and Social Work Practice: Research and Interventions. New York : Springer Pub. Prasher, V., 2005. Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities. Oxford; Seattle: Radcliffe Publishing. Sabbagh, M and Martin, G., 2010. Palliative care for advanced Alzheimer's and dementia: guidelines and standards for evidence-based care. New York : Springer Pub. Co. ; [Phoenix, Ariz.] : Alzheimer's Association, Desert Southwest Chapter. Sharoff,K.,2004.Coping skills manual for treating chronic and terminal illness. New York, NY: Springer Pub. Co. Weiss, B., 2012. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Through The Looking Glass.[S.l.] : Author house. Read More