By Ethelle G. Lord, M.Ed.,DM
While
it's true that Alzheimer's disease has gotten a lot more attention the last few
years, that attention might be leading to some misconceptions about the
disease. Having accurate Alzheimer's information is key for global understanding of this disease. For example, Alzheimer's is more than just pronounced memory loss. It
is a form of dementia that also includes loss of brain functioning that eventually
affects every part of the body to one extent or the other. It goes without
saying that there is more to it than meets the eye.
To
learn more about the scope of the disease, Voxxi's John Benson interviewed Dr.
Jim Leverenz of the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Leverenz is the director of the
hospital's Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. According to him, the subtle differences
between normal memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease offer the perfect
illustration of the depth of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.
Dr.
Leverenz explained to Benson that he is not normally concerned when a patient
forgets something, such as a person's name, only to remember it later on. He
said that is a normal part of aging that we all go through after accumulating
so much knowledge over the years. However, he does worry about a patient who
comes to see him and has no idea why he is there. This seeming loss of
cognition in certain situations suggests a more serious problem than just
age-related memory loss.
How Alzheimer's Disease Works
Alzheimer's
disease is a condition in which certain proteins buildup in the brain over
time. Those proteins then damage brain cells to which they attach themselves,
interrupting normal brain functioning. Unfortunately, one of the first signs of
Alzheimer's is a short-term memory loss; a symptom that is easily confused with
age-related memory issues.
As
the disease progresses the cell damage leads to additional problems like loss
of cognitive skills, deteriorating motor skills, deteriorating speech skills,
difficulty swallowing, breathing problems, and the eventual shutdown of vital
body systems. Moreover, because Alzheimer's tends to progress so slowly, it is
very difficult to cope with.
The
loss of cognition Dr. Leverenz talked about maybe a sign that Alzheimer's
exists and that it has progressed beyond the early stages. If that is true, it
is important for family members to pay attention when an older loved one begins
suffering short-term memory loss. There is reason to be concerned if that
memory loss is accompanied with a loss of cognizance. Any extended and sudden
short-term memory loss should always be a medical concern since a variety of
health problems can and do mimic Alzheimer’s. To be certain and receive proper
medical attention, do bring those concerns to your physician as soon as
possible.
By
the same token, there is no need to panic if you should start experiencing
minor episodes of memory loss in your mid-30s or early 40s. As long as you are
able to recall the information you need later on, you are likely just
experiencing the normal process of aging.
Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease
Although
science is getting closer to developing a definitive scientific test to detect
the presence of Alzheimer's at its early stages, none exists as of yet. A
diagnosis is made through the observation of certain symptoms and signs, which
might then be confirmed via a brain scan. Early signs of possible Alzheimer’s
are listed in HOW IN THE WORLD… AND NOW WHAT DO I DO? at http://AlzheimersPrimer.com Any concern that you might be in the
early stages of Alzheimer's is something that should be addressed by a doctor.
In
the meantime, the search for both a definitive cause and the cure continues
unabated. With every completed research study, medical science is getting
closer to cracking this dreadful disease. It may be that a cure is just waiting
on the horizon to be found. We certainly hope so.
At Remembering For You - Ethelle G. Lord, M.Ed.,DM has created a unique Caregiver Partnership Agreement Program that promotes inter-professionalism in organizations and changes the way long-term care is delivered. She is also a pioneer in Alzheimer's coaching having been the first to create a certification program (15-week study course) and delivered on Webinar technology so that nobody needs to leave the comfort of their office/home to take this program. Dr. Lord is also the author of HOW IN THE WORLD... AND NOW WHAT DO I DO? A Primer for Alzheimer's: 12 Major Points for Coping Better available at http://AlzheimersPrimer.com.
Sources:
Voxxi - http://voxxi.com/2014/01/17/alzheimers-disease-memory-loss/
