Spotlight on Alzheimer’s

Spotlight on Alzheimer’s

The Most Common Form of Dementia Affects Five Million Americans

Here’s a quick question for you. What do Rosa Parks, Ronald Reagan and Norman Rockwell all have in common? They all had Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s is not another word for what people used to call senility. Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of the aging process. Alzheimer’s is an insidious and deadly disease that affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Named after the German physician who recognized the condition in 1906, Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It is also the most common form of dementia.

Here are some startling facts about the disease from the Alzheimer’s Association:

As many as 5.2 million people are living in the United States with Alzheimer’s.

Every 71 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

The direct and indirect cost of Alzheimer’s is estimated to be $148 billion annually.

Nearly half of Americans over the age of 85 have Alzheimer’s.

Dementia is not the inevitable result of the aging process. Many centenarians are mentally alert, but there is an increased risk for Alzheimer’s the older you become. And unfortunately, there is no known cure. However, doctors can provide treatment for symptoms. There are several drugs available that are used to treat cognitive symptoms, such as memory loss, use of language and the ability to focus. Another set of drugs has been developed to help patients whose behavior is affected. These people may suffer from hallucinations or delusions, have sudden physical or verbal outbursts, be restless and irritable, or experience ongoing anxiety and distress.

An early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is important. Symptoms include memory loss, difficulty in communication, a growing inability to perform familiar tasks, and changes in mood, behavior or personality. If you start to see signs of Alzheimer’s in yourself or a loved one, talk to your primary care physician or a specialist in the field.

 

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