Do you suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia? If so, you are among the thousands of people around the world who are living with this illness. Maybe you even know someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s, or perhaps you are looking to become more familiar with the illness.
If you answered “yes” to either of those questions and are interested in learning more, then this article is for you. Here, we will discuss some of the most interesting facts about Alzheimers and how you can use this information to make your life a little bit easier.
Alzheimers Is One Of The Most Prevalent Causes Of Dementia
Alzheimers is one of the most prevalent causes of dementia. It is a type of cognitive deterioration where there is severe memory loss and other mental functions become impaired. Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed in about 50 million people worldwide, and it is one of the major causes of dementia. It is named after the German psychiatrist who first identified it, Dr. Alois Alzheimer.
Alzheimers is more common in men than women, and typically, people develop Alzheimer’s when they are in their mid-60s. However, it can happen at any age, and people suffering from the illness are usually not aware of how much their mental faculties have deteriorated until it is far too late. It is estimated that by the year 2025, there will be about 150 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s worldwide. This makes it the 6th leading cause of death and the 4th leading cause of disability worldwide.
Alzheimers Is Treatable
Although there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, there are several treatments that can help to relieve the symptoms of the illness. These include medications such as Aricept, Namenda, Exelon, and Soladum. Most doctors will advise people with Alzheimer’s to take these medications as soon as possible, as they can help to improve the quality of the patient’s life.
In some cases, a combination of drugs is recommended to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, the medication Aricept helps to improve the patient’s attention and memory. It is usually prescribed in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor such as donepezil or rivastigmine. People with Alzheimer’s often have trouble remembering things, so by helping them to remember, Aricept helps to improve their quality of life.
Alzheimers Has Many Symptoms
Alzheimers can be tricky to diagnose because it often has several similar symptoms to other illnesses. For instance, people with Alzheimer’s often have problems with concentration and patience. They may also have mood swings and become easily agitated or irritated. Some of the more prominent symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty remembering things
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Dementia
If you suspect that you or someone you know might have Alzheimer’s disease, then it is essential to get it diagnosed as soon as possible. This is especially important if you want to take advantage of the treatments available. Unfortunately, many people wait until their symptoms become so severe that it is almost impossible to treat. By then, it is usually too late.
People With Alzheimers Are More At Risk Of Succumbing To Infection
Alzheimers is known to be a major risk factor for the development of other, more serious illnesses. People with the illness are more likely to catch infections such as lung cancer or pneumonia. They are also more susceptible to viral infections such as the flu or HIV. For this reason, it is vital that people with Alzheimer’s take their medications regularly and see their doctors for checkups. It’s also important to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly, especially after visiting a toilette. This will help reduce the chances of them contracting infections which can be quite harmful to their health.
Men And Alzheimers Have More Seemingly Similiar Symptoms
Men are more likely to get Alzheimer’s than women, and one of the reasons for this is that men’s brains are more sensitive to the effects of the disease. Men with Alzheimer’s are likely to have more trouble with remembering things and are more likely to have trouble with problem solving. They also tend to have more hallucinations and delusions than women. This is probably related to the fact that men’s brains are much more affected by the disease than women’s brains. However, female brains are less affected by Alzheimer’s than men’s brains, so younger women with the disease may be more likely to have some of the typical male characteristics such as quick-tempo playing or hypersexuality. It should be noted here that although men with Alzheimer’s have more problems than women, it is still a women-friendly disease. This is because many of the medications used to treat Alzheimer’s are either designed for women or have more of an effect on women than men. However, in some cases, the effect of the medication can be more severe on men than women. This is mostly due to a genetic predisposition which causes men to have a higher chance of developing the illness. In addition to this, men are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs which can cause further brain damage. This makes it more difficult for men to recover from Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimers Is A Challenging Illness To Treat
It is well-established that people with Alzheimer’s disease are more difficult to treat than those who have other forms of dementia. It is not uncommon for doctors to advise their Alzheimer’s patients to prepare for the end-stage of the illness. This is because the disease is progressive, and it can be difficult to treat once the patient is in the advanced stages. If you or someone you know is suffering from Alzheimer’s, then it is essential to establish a treatment plan as soon as possible. This will help you to be more compliant with your medications and doctors’ recommendations, and it will also make it easier to manage your daily life as the illness progresses.
The Cost Of Treating Alzheimers Varies From Country To Country
The cost of treating Alzheimer’s disease varies from country to country. Some countries cover the cost of medication and testing, while others cover just the cost of the medication. It is generally accepted that the more developed the country, the more expensive the treatment is likely to be. This is because doctors in more developed countries are better at diagnosing and treating the disease. Unfortunately, the worse the economic situation in a country, the more expensive medicine is likely to be. This makes treating Alzheimer’s in poor countries extremely challenging because the majority of people living with the illness cannot afford the medication.
There Are Both Positive And Negative Aspects To Living With Alzheimers
Although there are several aspects to living with Alzheimer’s, there are also positive aspects. People with the disease are less likely to be involved in car accidents, are more flexible with regard to their working hours, and are more likely to be inspired by the things around them. In some cases, the disease hinders the progression of other illnesses, so it is not always fatal. It should be noted here that although the disease is serious, it is still considered to be a manageable illness. This is in part thanks to the fact that modern medicine is making treatments available which can help to improve the quality of people’s lives. However, before getting too excited about the disease, it is essential to remember the negative aspects, as well. People with Alzheimer’s are more likely to be the victims of fraud, especially within the health care system. This is because the symptoms of the illness can make it very easy for someone to feign the disease. If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and you are not sure whether or not to trust your doctors, then you should not hesitate to consult an alternative physician or go to a different hospital. This is especially important if you want to take advantage of any treatment options which are still available.
Overall, Alzheimers is a very complicated disease to diagnose and treat. However, with advancements in science and technology, as well as the increase in awareness about the disease, it is becoming easier to diagnose and treat. Although there is still not a cure for the disease, there are several medications which can help to improve the quality of a patient’s life. If you suspect that you or someone you know may have the illness, then it is essential to get it diagnosed as soon as possible. It is also advisable for people with the disease to continue taking their medication regularly and see their doctors for regular check-ups. This will help to ensure that they do not develop any resistance to the medication, which could result in them having to take higher doses than originally prescribed. Ultimately, it is a disease which is irreversible and one which will continue to burden society for years to come.