Term Papers on Alzheimers Disease

Term Paper Title	Alzheimers Disease
# of Words	1071
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	4.28

Alzheimer's Disease

     Alzheimer's disease affects four million Americans and
kills 100,000 people each year. It is a disease in which
little is understood and there is no cure for it.
Alzheimer's is a common form of dementia. It's trademark is
mental impairment that occurs as the disease destroys
chemical messengers.  The chemical messengers are used by
the cells of the brain to communicate with each other.
Basically it disrupts thinking, memory, language, and
emotions (Gallo).
     Some studies indicate genetics may play a role in
Alzheimer's and that people with a parent, brother, or
sister with Alzheimer's may be up to five times more likely
to develop the disease than those who do not. However,
technology is advancing and as time goes on the secrets of
Alzheimer's are being slowly uncovered and cures may be just
around the corner. Also, studies of twins show that a
possible link exists between the use of anti-inflammatory
medications and the decreased chances of getting Alzheimer's
disease. Women taking estrogen after menopause also seem to
have less risk as well.  This last year, 1996, Harvard
researchers have developed an eye test for which 95% of
Alzheimer's patients tested had an exaggerated test result.
The test uses eyedrops that has tropicamide, a drug which
blocks the action of acetylcholine and is a brain chemical
involved in Alzheimer's.  This test could be a future means
of  testing for the disease. Also a new drug called tacrine
has just been approved.  This is the first Alzheimer's drug
to come out.  What is great about this drug is it can stop
the breakdown of the brain's acetylcholine and aids in a
person's  alertness.
     There is no available test for reliably identifying
Alzheimer's disease so physician's make a diagnosis by
finding out what the patient's symptoms are and eliminating
other possible diseases. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only
be made by brain autopsy, but the diagnostic plan results in
the correct identification of the disease 90% of the time.
There are other diseases that can mimic Alzheimer's such as
thyroid imbalances, lack of vitamin B12, brain injuries,
tumors, and depression. All these must be carefully ruled
out while diagnosing the disease.
     Alzheimer's disease, also known as "the long good-bye",
is usually a slow, gradual decline of the health of the
victim. The rate of decline varies from person to person.
The disease can run anywhere from three to twenty years.
The average life span after diagnosis is eight years.
"Memory loss and changes in mood and behavior are
early signs of Alzheimer's disease" (VanBuren) Even though
memory impairment is everyone's image of Alzheimer's, 80% of
patients also have behavioral problems with agitation,
depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Some of the things seen
in a person with Alzheimer's include such things as engaging
in things that are dangerous to themselves or others,
wandering, embarrassing behaviors, unusual sleep patterns,
agitated behavior, outbursts, depressed/sad, striking out or
hitting others, hallucinations, repetitive questions,
appearing worried, losing or misplacing things, becoming
disoriented, and intentionally hitting things (Barrett).
People with Alzheimer's may also get angry doing routine
things like taking a bath or getting dressed. They may also
swear a lot more than normal. In the end of their lives,
many of the victims will not even be able to recognize
themselves when they look in a mirror.
     In a depressed Alzheimer's patient low doses of
antidepressant medications supposedly can improve depressive
symptoms.  Lessening of the patient's depression can improve
the quality of life. In addition, increasing family support
is...

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