|
|
Senior Services at UPMC Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease can effectively close down older people’s "mental libraries," denying them access to their thoughts and memories, and denying others access as well. Alzheimer’s disease is a dementing illness. That means it involves a physical deterioration of the brain that causes a loss of functions, such as thinking, remembering, and reasoning. This loss of ability, along with changes in personality and judgment, greatly affect the people who have Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the people who are close to them. The cause of this disease is unknown, although heredity is thought to be a factor. Alzheimer’s disease should not be confused with "senility" or old age. Although one of the early symptoms of the disease is forgetfulness, the memory loss caused by Alzheimer’s is far more severe than the forgetfulness that normally occurs with aging. Seeing the Signs Although we have all gone to the grocery store only to find that we have forgotten what we wanted to buy there, a person who has Alzheimer’s disease may forget where the store is or how to get home. And though many of us may forget where we have put our keys from time to time, a person who has Alzheimer’s disease may forget what keys are for. Typically, a person in the early stages of the disease may no longer be able to take care of routine tasks like paying the bills each month or balancing the checkbook. This kind of confusion or symptoms like those listed below indicate that a person may be affected by something more than normal memory loss due to aging. It is very important that a person with these symptoms see a doctor because some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are similar to those of other conditions, many of which can be reversed with appropriate medical care. For example, people who have conditions such as depression, multiple strokes, or nutrition deficiencies may show symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of other dementing illnesses, such as Parkinson’s disease, also are similar to those of Alzheimer’s. Sometimes Alzheimer’s disease makes it impossible for the person who has it to recognize that something is wrong. Some people who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s may be aware of having difficulty but deny it and even become defensive. In general, however, many people who have Alzheimer’s never realize that they have the disease. Therefore, relatives and friends often become responsible for getting appropriate care for a person who has the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Is It Alzheimer’s? When someone with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is evaluated by a doctor, the evaluation should include physical and neurologic exams, written tests, a psychiatric exam, and consultation with a social worker. In addition, blood tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests should be performed. Magnetic resonance is an imaging process that uses magnetic fields, radio waves, and a computer to produce pictures of the inside of the brain. During the evaluation, it is important for a relative or friend to provide the person’s family, drug, and medical history as well as information about how symptoms have progressed. This information will help the doctor make a diagnosis. If after the evaluation the doctor concludes that the symptoms are not caused by other conditions, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is given. This diagnosis is made after other possibilities have been ruled out. The presence of Alzheimer’s disease currently can be confirmed only by examining the brain during autopsy after death. Some treatments can help people who have Alzheimer’s, even though a cure is not available. For example, experimental drugs have shown some promise of easing some people’s symptoms. In addition, health care professionals can help by treating physical and emotional problems and by monitoring the progression of the disease and its symptoms. Relatives and friends can help by maintaining daily routines and activities that stimulate the person, possibly helping to slow the progression of memory loss. Relatives and friends also can help by making sure the person maintains a proper diet and, if necessary, takes medication properly. Because the abilities of people who have Alzheimer’s disease deteriorate at different rates, the level of care needed from doctors, relatives, and friends varies.
It Can Happen to Anyone Alzheimer’s disease seems to strike both men and women, all socioeconomic groups, and all races equally. About 10 percent of Americans over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. Approximately 47 percent of those over the age of 85, the fastest-growing population group in the United States, have the disease. The clear majority of people who have Alzheimer’s disease are over age 65. However, people in their 40s and 50s have been diagnosed with it. A type of Alzheimer’s disease that is believed to be hereditary, called early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease, affects people in this age group. This form of the disease is less common, involving only about 5 percent of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease, call the Alzheimer Disease Research Center at (412) 692-2700 or the Alzheimer Outreach Center at the Hill House Center at (412) 392-4468. Another helpful resource is the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at (412) 261-5040. Alzheimer’s Disease: Myth Versus Fact MYTH: The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are normal signs of aging. FACT: Alzheimer’s is a severe and progressive disease. It should not be confused with the normal aging process or forgetfulness. Although some forgetfulness normally accompanies aging, people who have Alzheimer’s disease may forget who spouses and children are or where home is. This kind of memory loss is not a normal part of aging. MYTH: It is normal for people to become "old and senile." FACT: Senility simply means to become old. It does not mean having memory problems. In fact, most people remain alert and capable while they age, even if they experience some memory loss. MYTH: No treatment is available for people who have Alzheimer’s disease. FACT: There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, health professionals can help Alzheimer’s patients and their families by treating the medical and psychiatric symptoms that are often part of the disease. MYTH: Relatives of people who have Alzheimer’s disease are likely to inherit the disease. FACT: At this time, relatives of people who have Alzheimer’s disease appear to have a slightly greater risk of developing the disease than does the general population. Research into the genetic, or hereditary, risk factors for the disease continues.
About UPMC | Health Med Info | Find a Doctor | UPMC Health Plan Contact UPMC | Search UPMC Web Site | UPMC Hospitals © 2007 UPMC |
There’s an old saying: "When an old man dies, a library is
destroyed." These words remind us how much we rely on our older relatives and friends
to share with us their wisdom and knowledge. But it sometimes happens that older people
become ill and unable to share information -- or even much of themselves -- with us
anymore. 
For 