Everyone forgets things. We forget where we put our keys, if we fed the dog, did I lock my car, you know little things like that. But what if you were to forget where you were or how you got there; if one day your children went to see you and you didn’t recognize them? What if it got to the point that every time you would wake up it would be a whole new world? I suppose from the perspective of the patient they probably wouldn’t notice, but for a loved one of that person it can be pretty frustrating and sad.
Alzheimer’s has no cure, it worsens as it progresses and eventually leads to death. It tends to happen with age, in people over 65 yrs of age. As it develops it’s symptoms are usually mistaken by stress or “age related concerns”. Some of the symptoms include:
· Confusion
· Irritability and aggression
· Mood swings
· Trouble with language
· And long-term memory loss
It is not easy predicting the outcome for this disease because it affects everyone differently. The progress isn’t well understood which makes it difficult for a cure to be found. People diagnosed usually live an average of seven years after their diagnosis.
I've never studied Alzheimer before, but it is very interesting to see how the human brain at some point began to shrink and cause so much damage, not only to the person with the disease but to family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI always forget everything, does this mean I have Alzheimer? But in all seriousness, it is sad to see these people deteriorate in front of you, and you can't do anything. I hear that coffee can reduce your chances of getting it though, maybe because of the antioxidants! Yay, for science!
ReplyDeleteTo begin with, an interesting topic, there is indeed no cure for Alzheimer but there have been several discoveries in therapy in which some cases might help. For example, social therapy might help the person suffer with Alzheimer to overcome depression, sleeplessness among other, the therapy also help to improve direct family members to understand better the disease.
ReplyDeleteI can relate when it comes to forgetting about things. There have been a few times that I get out of class and I can't seem to remeber where I parked. There was one semester were I started walking to my vehicle and later remembered that I was parked on the other side of campus. These types of situations can be very frustrating. One thing that we can do for the relative with Alzheimers is to be patient/understanding and just bring joy to them. Even if in their eyes we are strangers.
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