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Alzheimer
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A condition that mainly affects the brain functions,
Alzheimer’s disease is actually a form of dementia. A person has dementia
when a complex group of conditions develops, causing the gradual destruction
of the brain cells, leading to progressive decline in the person’s mental
function. Being a common form of this particular brain disorder, Alzheimer’s
disease is also characterized by a progressive destruction of the patient’s
brain cells. This leads to damage and eventually complete loss of memory and
learning abilities, reasoning skills, decision making, communication, and
even the ability to carry out daily activities.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, new treatments
have been discovered, due to the deepening insight scientists have of the
biology of the disease. One of these insights is the fact that the disease
seems to progress in stages – Alzheimer stages.
There are seven Alzheimer stages documented by experts based on common
patterns of symptom progression. These Alzheimer stages correspond in some
way to the underlying degeneration of the nerve cells, particularly those
that involve learning and memory. As the disease gradually spreads to other
cells, the degeneration begins to affect other cognitive functions, such as
thinking, judgment, and behavior.
Alzheimer Stages 1: No Impairment
The first of the seven Alzheimer stages exhibit no impairment of the normal
functions of the individual patient. Because of this, there is no way that
health care professionals may identify any tell-tale signs of Alzheimer’s in
the individual during a medical interview at this stage.
Alzheimer Stages 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline
Some may consider the cognitive decline in this particular stage of the
Alzheimer stages as normal, especially if the patient is of an age where
mild cognitive decline is to be expected, i.e. persons aged 60 or older.
Signs include memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words or names or
the location of keys, eyeglasses, and other everyday objects. These lapses
are not apparent during the medical interview or to friends, family, and
co-workers.
Alzheimer Stages 3: Mild Cognitive Decline
* In some people, this stage can be diagnosed. It is at this stage that
friends, family, and co-workers begin to notice deficiencies.
Alzheimer Stages 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline
This is known as the mild or early stage Alzheimer’s disease where the
problems become clear cut after a careful medical interview.
Alzheimer Stages 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline
The mid-stage of Alzheimer’s disease shows major gaps in memory and deficits
in cognitive function. Patient may start to require some assistance in doing
day to day activities.
Alzheimer Stages 6: Severe Cognitive Decline
Difficulties in memory continue to worsen. It is at this stage that changes
in personality start to emerge.
Alzheimer Stages 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline
The final stage when individuals lose the ability to respond to their
environment. In addition, they also lose the ability to speak and
ultimately, the ability to control movement. |
| This article
is provided courtesy of Roxanne Courtmanch. Please visit
www.thehelpingcircle.com for more articles on Alzheimers
as well as many other topics that may be of interest to you. |
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