Alzheimer's Disease

The Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia which poses major challenges for patients, loved ones, caregivers, and the nation's healthcare system. According to Ephraim Zagelbaum, the founder and CEO of Personal Healthcare, this disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. There is no cure for this disease.

Zagelbaum explains that the Alzheimer’s disease comes on gradually. During the earliest stages, people tend to appear normal. However, the symptoms slowly become more obvious, as the disease progresses and tend to affect the everyday life of the people who have it.

As Zagelbaum further explains, the disease affects every patient differently. However, according to Zagelbaum, who is a member of Center for Health Journalism, the most characteristic symptoms of Alzheimer's disease include:

• Memory problems (not being able to remember new information)
• Trouble using words and not being able to communicate properly
• Confusion and disorientation
• Impaired thinking
• Poor decision-making
• Strange behavior
• Emotional problems, such as sadness, fear, or anxiety
• Lack of interest in something previously enjoyed
• Trouble completing routine tasks and daily activities
• Restlessness and agitation
• Incontinence
• Impaired motor functions, such as trouble walking and swallowing

Zagelbaum has authored many research publications on this topic. New discoveries are made about how this disease affects the brain. It has been discovered that this disease causes changes to a person’s brain at both a structural and cellular level.

At structural level, the limbic system is impaired first, followed by the cerebral cortex and then the brain stem. The formation of new blood vessels in different parts of the brain can be also prevented.

At the cellular level, the brain cells, known as neurons are being progressively destroyed. The area of the brain that has been affected from the death of the neurons starts to shrink.

According to Zagelbaum’s publications on Medium, two proteins are thought to play a role in that process:

• Beta-amyloid—Abnormal plaques in the Alzheimer’s brain, mostly consisting of this protein, scar-like tissue between neurons. The ability of the neurons to send messages diminishes as more and more plaques accumulate in the brain.
• Tau—This protein is responsible for maintaining the neurons’ internal structure in a healthy brain. Nevertheless, in people with Alzheimer’s disease, it forms tangled bundles of fibers that prevent the normal functioning of neurons.

The Alzheimer’s disease, in Zagelbaum’s opinion, for people that suffer from it it’s like their “lights” are slowly being dimmed and shout off. And, there is no way to turn those lights back on.

Antoher thing that Zagelbam has mentioned is that damage usually begins 10 or more years before any symptom emerge.

Furthermore, Ephraim Zagelbaum has shared on Twitter some additional facts about Alzheimer's disease:

• This disease is present in about 10% of the seniors above the age of 65.
• More than a half of the Alzheimer’s patients in the U.S. are women.
• This disease may play a major role in as many as 60 to 70 percent of all dementia cases.

Comments

[frases de tristeza y dolor]

I high appreciate this post. It’s hard to find the good from the bad sometimes. but I think you’ve nailed it! would you mind updating your blog with more information?