Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a pronounced degenerative disease that was first described in 1906. Unfortunately, it is incurable. The disease is characteristic of people over 65 years of age, but there is also an extremely rare form of this disease that manifests itself at an early age.
The first manifestations of this disease (memory disorder) are mistakenly attributed to old age or regular stress. This disease is characterized by a gradual loss of all its functions by the body and a fatal outcome. After diagnosis, the average life expectancy is no more than seven, ten years.
CAUSES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
At the moment, medicine does not have a list of reasons that provoke this disorder. According to some versions, the cause may be the accumulation of plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in brain tissues. Modern therapy only mitigates the symptoms, but cannot slow down or stop the course of the disease.
SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
The disease is divided into four main stages.
Pre – dementia
The first manifestations of the disease are mistakenly confused with a reaction to stress or aging of a person. The most noticeable symptom is a memory disorder, when a person finds it difficult to recall recently memorized facts or assimilate new information. It is noted that it is impossible to focus one’s attention, to think abstractly, to plan rationally, or a violation of semantic memory. Apathy is characteristic of this stage, which will remain the most stable symptom at all stages of the disease.
Early dementia
The progression in memory loss and agnosia in this disease are an indisputable confirmation of the diagnosis. Some patients have disorders of speech, motor functions and perception. Episodic and semantic memory is violated, as well as “body memory”. The patient is not capable of written and verbal expression of thoughts. There are difficulties with fine motor skills. For complex manipulations, the patient needs help from the outside.
Moderate dementia
The patient loses the ability to act independently, as his condition deteriorates dramatically. A person loses access to the vocabulary and uses words that do not correspond to the forgotten ones. Coordination is significantly disrupted, it is difficult for the patient to perform everyday tasks. At this stage, patients no longer recognize their relatives, and the deviation in behavior becomes more and more noticeable. There is irritability, spontaneous aggression, urinary incontinence.
Severe dementia
At this stage, the patient is completely dependent on outside help. Speech completely disappears, although some patients understand and respond to emotional appeal. Aggression at this stage does not manifest itself so often, apathy and exhaustion of the patient sets in. Even the simplest action the patient cannot perform without help from the outside. The patient loses muscle mass. Death occurs as a result of a third-party disease (pneumonia, etc.).
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
The diagnosis is established on the basis of the patient’s medical history, taking into account clinical observations and heredity.
To clarify the diagnosis , use:
Testing of intelligent functions.
Positron emission tomography.
Magnetic resonance imaging.
TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
This disease cannot be completely cured. Therapy has a certain effect on the symptoms, but does not lead to the healing of the patient.
The main methods of treatment: psychosocial, pharmacological and patient care.
Pharmacological method. Drugs are used for the treatment of cognitive disorders.
Psychosocial assistance. Using a special sensory room to help people who suffer from dementia.
Music therapy and art therapy are used as a stimulating method, which makes it possible for sick people to exercise to maintain tone. Although this therapy has no significant effect on the functional abilities of the patient, its main purpose is to improve the daily life of patients.
