Alzheimer's syndrome

Alzheimer's is one disease that is classified in the dementia group, or which in layman's language, known as "senile". This disease was first discovered by Alois Alzheimer in 1906.


Dementia can be caused by many things, such as stroke. About 10 percent of people aged over 70 years of experience disturbances in memory and 50 percent of whom are Alzheimer's patients, namely Early Onset and Onset Slow. In early onset type, the symptoms will appear before the age of 60 years, and is often associated with heredity. Until now, these 3 genes associated with early onset Alzheimer's disease has been identified. This type is found only 5-10 percent of cases of Alzheimer's pad. While the slow onset type occurs in more than 60 years of age and is a common form of this disease.

SYMPTOMS

1. Memory loss / memory
Memory loss, especially short-term memory is the most common symptom. People who "forget" is generally a time not remember the name of his neighbors, but she knew this man was his neighbor. In Alzheimer's disease, he not only forgot the name of his neighbors but also forget that this man was his neighbor.
2. Difficulty doing the usual routine activity
The inability to perform or complete a routine activity that normally does not require thinking how to do it, for example, do not know how to undress or do not know the sequences of preparing food.
3. Difficulty speaking
Generally in the elderly found it difficult to find the right words, but people with Alzheimer's will forget simple words or substitute a word with the word unusual.
4. Disorientation of time and place
We sometimes forget where we will go or what day today, but people with Alzheimer's may get lost in places that are familiar to him, forgetting where she now knows how he came to this place, including whether the current night or day.
5. The decrease in deciding something
For example, can not decide to use warm clothes for cold weather or vice versa.
6. One place items
A person can temporarily misplaced wallet or keys. Patients with Alzheimer's may put things in unusual places, such as a watch on the box of sugar.
7. Changes in behavior
One can be sad or happy from time to time. Patients with Alzheimer's can change the mood or emotion is unusual without an acceptable excuse.
8. Changes in behavior
Patients with Alzheimer's will look different than usual, it will be easy to suspect, irritability, depression, apathy or rage easily, especially when a memory problem caused him trouble doing anything.
9. Loss of initiative
Sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping longer than usual or not showing interest in the hobby that has been practiced.

At the advanced stage of Alzheimer's can not do anything without assistance, generally in this condition they do not understand the language anymore, can not remember family members, unable to perform basic daily activities (eating, wearing clothes or bath), she can no longer distinguish which are appropriate and inappropriate, such as urinating or defecating in any place.

CAUSE
Alzheimer's disease is not a normal process of aging. Decline in cognitive function, particularly memory function is growing at a slower due to the interference with the synapses (connections between nerve tissue network) in the brain, especially the hippocampus and cortex.

In people with Alzheimer's, decline synapses is significantly different when compared with a comparable age. These synapses disorders caused by damage to or death of brain cells (neurons) that cause a decrease neutrotrasmitter (a substance made ​​by the neurons to send messages to other neurons), ie, acetylcholine, serotonin and norepinerfin. In fact, neutrotransmitter balance is very important for the brain. Chemical and structural damage in the brain becomes disrupted and there arose a certain disease symptoms.

How sure?
Alzheimer's dementia generally can be ascertained from the typical symptoms as mentioned above, other tests commonly used to evaluate or exclude other causes of dementia include CT scans, MRI and blood tests.

In the early stages of this disease, brain images generally normal, but CT scans can be used to rule out other causes of dementia such as brain tumor or stroke. While on stage, through MRI could show us the decline in the size of the cerebral cortex or brain areas responsible for memory function (hippocampus).

Alzheimer's disease can only be diagnosed definitely after the patient had died, which on examination of brain tissue obtained Pathological Anatomical images are unique and only found in Alzheimer's disease.

TREATMENT
There is no specific treatment for Alzheimer's disease is, certain drugs given to these patients may be effective at the time of initial dementia, but with the passage of time, then the cells will be many more brain damaged or die, thus giving ineffective drugs taken again. In certain circumstances, symptoms and progresivitasnya can be repaired but the function of cognition may not be able to return to normal.

PREVENTION
Keluargalah the most decisive role in the management of this disease. Disorders of behavior and attitude like a child requires patience and diligence in supervising and giving affection to the patient.

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