Portrait of a Thief: A Look at Alzheimer’s Disease
Hardly a day ever goes by when the average person doesn`t forget something. A scheduled appointment or where they have put their wallet, or their car keys. But imagine living in a world where most everything is forgotten. A world where each day is a struggle to remember the simplest things, and nothing is familiar. Imagine having Alzheimer`s Disease.
Becoming somewhat forgetful is a normal part of the aging process. Our minds slow down a bit as we age, just as our bodies do. For an aging person, many things such as vitamin deficiency, poor diet, infection or side effects from medication can cause slight memory problems, but these problems can usually be overcome when the underlying problem has been taken care of . But what amount of forgetfulness is normal?
Early onset is Alzheimer`s that occurs is people under the age of 65 and experts say that there are many people in their 30`s 40`s and 50`s who have Alzheimer`s Disease or a similar dementia.
Here are some warning signs to look for if you think that someone you know may be exhibiting early signs of Alzheimer`s Disease.
Memory Loss
The person becomes more and more forgetful, and is quite often unable to recall events at all.
Difficulty performing everyday tasks
The person may find it hard to prepare a meal or play a favorite game.
Problems remembering words
People with Alzheimer`s often forget simple words or names of everyday items.
Disorientation and loss of time
Alzheimer`s patients often find themselves lost in familiar surroundings and have no concept of time.
Personality change
People with Alzheimer`s often become fearful, confused or suspicious of others.
These are just a few of the signs of early onset Alzheimer`s Disease. Other patients lose the initiative to do everyday tasks like eating or bathing. Some even become violent.
Who Is At Risk?
Although all that is really known for sure is that Alzheimer`s occurs when there is a break-down of nerve cells in the brain, researchers have found some things that do seem to increase the likelihood of developing the disease.
- Studies have revealed that there are strong links to patients who have sustained serious head trauma becoming affected by Alzheimer`s. .
- People with a family member who has Alzheimer`s is 2-3 times more likely to develop it themselves. .
- There is a direct connection to heart and head. There is an increased chance of developing Alzheimer`s if a person has caused damage to the heart or the blood vessels, such as Diabetes, high blood pressure or have suffered a stroke.
But lastly, age is the main culprit, and a living life where we are happy, active and treat our bodies well may be our best defense against the thief that is Alzheimer`s Disease.
If someone you care about is exhibiting these early warning signs, chances are that they have already noticed some changes themselves. It is imperative that they be taken to a heath care professional that they trust to be assessed. If Alzheimer`s is suspected, they will most likely be referred to a Neurologist. The patient may also be referred to a Psychiatrist so that their memory can be properly tested and their mood swings dealt with appropriately.
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IcyCucky | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
Very informative article…
It is a very sad situation when a loved one can’t even remember who you are.
Dee Huff | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
Your title sums it up. Alzheimer is a thief. It steals peoples’ memories, and in so doing, it steals the life that was shaped by the events in those memories. Very sad, especially when it strikes as young as 30. A sympathetically and clearly drawn portrait.
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
It is a very sad disease. When I drove taxi a man went missing from his home…he had Alzheimer’s Disease. There were 43 cabs looking out for him plus police and his family. We found him in the middle of one of the busiest intersections in town. He was confused and disoriented like a deer trapped in the headlights. When the family came to take him home, we told them that he kept saying he wanted to go home so it was a good thing they found him. She told me that he has been saying that for the past 4 years. To him,home was the last place he could remember living. In the house he grew up in as a child and he couldn’t understand why no one would let him go back. So sad. When they no longer remember and can’t understand it is a heart breaking situation.
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
For some reason my comment got cut off during transmission.
I wanted to thank you for writing this article. It is one that needs to be told. Your information is complete and concise.
Great job!
Alexa Gates | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
This sounds like my mom
Joe Poniatowski | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
Great intro to this terrible affliction. What treatment options exist?
Lucy Lockett | Apr 3, 2008 | Reply
Wonderful article, it is very sad for families to go through this.
Anne Lyken-Garner | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
How devastating. This disease strips grown people from all adulthood. Thank you for sharing this, it’s really useful information.
Moses Ingram | Apr 4, 2008 | Reply
I have seen what this terrible disease can do. Your article is excellent, thank you for writing it.
Judy Sheldon | Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
My father had Alzheimer’s when he passed & my husband’s mother has it, as well as many other relatives. You have done a very concise job on describing it. Preventing Alzheimer’s is one of my key motivations for writing articles on good nutrition, because the proper diet can have a very large impact in prevention.