Alzheimer’s Disease- Facts You Should Be Aware Of

November 18th, 2007
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by Robert William Locke
Usually around the age of 60, symptoms of Alzheimer’s will start to manifest themselves if indeed the disease is present. Sometimes, these symptoms are dismissed as part of the ageing process but unfortunately in many cases, it is not just a question of getting old.

The first alarming signal is when the person affected has marked difficulty in doing simple tasks which previously they performed with ease. These can range from opening a car door to getting a meal ready or using a simple household appliance. As the disease progresses into the later stages, the person will display behavioural symptoms. Loss of memory and a failure to grasp new things together with anxiety and deHow is the disease diagnosed ? Currently the diagnosis is based on excluding other possibilities and is clinically assumed. However, before the Alzheimers diagnosis can be given to the patient and their family, the patient must undergo a variety of laboratory tests, such as medical assessments and laboratory measurements. Alzheimer’s disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis.

The brain contains a vital chemical compound called acetylcholine which preserves the neurons in the brain. When the disease starts to take hold, another enzyme starts to attack - this is called acetylcholinesterase and will destroy the healthier enzymes. The drugs are aimed to stave off this attack and preserve the healthy enzymes. But these drugs have some side effects and the results vary a lot but in many cases, they do slow down the disease.

Various other drugs have been tried, all with very mixed results and side effects. Estrogen is a hormonal substance but its main disadvantage is that it may cause strokes. Aspirin and ibuprofen (the well known anti inflammatory drugs) have had some success and have been found to offer some protection. A popular plant extract called Gingko Biloba is used but its main problem is that it can cause strokes.

The disease can last from 5-10 years or even longer. The disease will progress from simple forgetfulness to debilitating severe dementia. Most sufferers (about 70% in the USA) will live with family members at home. There is no cure for the disease at the moment and care consists of medication mentioned above and care giving.

While the disease progresses, the patient and family members will be traumatised and emotionally drained especially as in the very late stages, the patient just cannot communicate with his or her loved ones. This is very often hard to bear and adds to the trauma for the carers.

Can we prevent this debilitating disease and what can we do about it ? Diet has been shown to be decisive and recent research just published shows that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, with whole grains, fish, garlic, olive oil and a little red meat will reduce your chances of contracting this disease - even by up to 60%. The Mediterranean Diet has been studied extensively for this very reason and now research has given it an accolade that very few other diets can even aspire to win.

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