Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is a complex disease that affects the brain. "Approximately 4.5 million Americans have this disease" (Alzheimer's Disease, 2004, 1). Alzheimer's disease is a disorder that causes the gradual loss of brain cells. "The disease was first described in 1906 by German physician Dr. Alois Alzheimer" (Alzheimer's Disease, 2004, p.2). The disease was once considered rare. However, "Research has shown that it is the leading cause of dementia" (Alzheimer's Disease, 2004, p.2). Although many things about Alzheimer's remain unknown, research continues to bring a better understanding of the disease, more accurate diagnoses, and more effective treatments. Dementia is a general term for several symptoms related to a decline in thinking skills. Common symptoms include a gradual loss of memory, trouble with reasoning or judgment, disorientation, difficulty in learning, loss of language skills, and weakening in the ability to perform routine tasks. People with dementia also experience changes in their personalities and behavior problems, such as agitation, anxiety, delusions, and hallucinations. Alzheimer's disease advances at broadly different rates. According to Alzheimer's Association (2004, p
Research has also focused on vascular risk factors. The influence of Alzheimer's on individuals, families and the health care system makes the disease one of our nation's greatest medical, social and fiscal challenges. The areas of the brain that control memory and thinking skills are affected first, but as the disease progresses, cells die in other regions of the brain". The once-robust leader of the free world can no longer speak, feed himself or even recognize his wife. Researchers agree that the cause may be a complex set of factors. " Alzheimer's 3 No one knows exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease. "Scientists have identified three genes that cause rare, inherited forms of the disease that tend to occur before age 65. 14) reports, "The drugs work to keep levels of the chemical messenger high, even while the cells that produce the messenger continue to become damaged or die. About half of the people who take cholinesterase inhibitors experience a modest improvement in cognitive symptoms. If a drug has little effect on a patient's symptoms, a physician may recommend trying one of the others. " The Alzheimer's Association (2004, p.
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Acceptance Essays
