Introduction
Alzheimer's disease (AD) refers to a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that progress to severe disease over time and it the primary cause of dementia (Tiwari, 2014). Forgetfulness seemingly has ties to old age, with subtle changes in personality or memory centering it. It is safe to describe Alzheimer as the silent memory taker, with it progressively impairing an individual’s ability to remember details about their lives even themselves. For example, an individual who cannot remember the names of their children or what he or she had for breakfast serves as a sign of underlying dementia.
Caregivers often have to contend with explaining themselves to the patient each day, as the patient loses the ability to carry out tasks and they are at risk of forgetting and placing themselves in danger. With the rising aging population, there is a need to encourage a sense of awareness of the progression of the disease ( Tiwari, 2014). There is also need to teach individuals how to anticipate the challenges that come with the illness. Impairment in memory function is something the elderly often have to contend with, together with the decrease in the functioning their various faculties.
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However, Alzheimer disease presents a unique challenge, as it is a form of dementia, causing a significant level of brain impairment. According to the Johns (2013), Alzheimer’s is apparent through memory loss, difficulty in thinking, and language as the disease progresses. The disease has roots from Alzheimer who first recognized the disease in 1901 when he was following up on the case of Auguste Deter. It revealed itself through the loss of memory, irrational behavior, and inability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Today, Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia comprising of about eighty percent of all dementias. It does not just center on losing memory, but it equally encompasses a significant level of brain damage. The course and duration of the disease vary from one individual to another, with the common baseline being age. Individuals above the age of sixty-five are predisposed to the disease.
Symptoms and Causes
The most significant cause of this disorder is the short-term loss of memory, and with the advancement of the disease, more pronounced symptoms emerge (Juma, 2015). These include mood swings, disorientation, language problems, motivation loss, self-care mismanagement, and behavioral issues. As the disease progresses, the patient starts suffering from withdrawal symptoms and the body functions starts to deteriorate gradually and are eventually lost which consequentially leads to death. However, the speed of the disease progression varies, but the expectancy average life of a victim after diagnosis is between three and nine years.
The cause of this disorder is not properly understood like 70% of its cause is alleged to be a genetic disease. Ostensibly, there are other causes of the disease such as hypertension, depression, and head injuries. Moreover, the disorder testing involves blood tests, medical imaging, and cognitive testing and initially the disease was mistakenly believed to be a normal aging disorder (Juma, 2015). Consequentially, there is the need for brain tissue examination to identify the disorder-specific cause. Moreover, avoiding of obesity, physical and mental exercise are efficient to mitigate and management of the risk associated with the AD. However, there are no supplements and medications that decrease the risks associated with the disorder, and there lacks proper medications that reverses or stop its progression despite some temporal symptoms improvement ( (Juma, 2015) . Primarily, the infected persons rely mostly on family members or a caregiver assistance resulting in a lot of pressure such as economic, physical, psychological, and social implications. Therefore, there is need for exercise programs that enhances daily living improvement of the affected persons.
Prevalence of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is itself has become a burden to the elderly. According to the Association, A. (2016), an estimated 5.4 million Americans at the age of sixty-five and above suffer from the disease. Pending then nature of the disease, most individuals are unaware that they suffer from it because of its progressive nature. With, the decline the cognitive function is one of the major indicators. At the moment, estimates of people having Alzheimer’s centers on diagnostic criteria used when diagnosing the illness. Alzheimer difficult in detection rests on the fact that dementia-related symptoms begin before the disease progresses.
In an evaluation of the prevalence regarding gender, most women are more likely to suffer from the disease. This follows that women have different genetic and biological variations (Sam Norton, 2014). The gene APOE-e4 genotype, in particular, is a common risk factor for Alzheimer’s in women. Another factor centers on the perceived idea of cognitive stimulation whose central premise that men tend to engage in cognitive-based activities as opposed to women.
Racial differences equally amount for predisposition to the disease with African American and Hispanics more likely than older whites do. While there is no particular justification for the claim, research reveals that variations in lifestyle especially of the various races, explains why the disease manifests itself. For instance, where individuals do not engage in mental stimulation or activity, then predisposition to the disease is apparent.
In an analysis of states, there are important states that have high incidences in Alzheimer's such as Texas with an estimate of about three hundred and fifty people having the disease as at 2016. In an examination of Ohio State, about two hundred and ten people are living with the illness. With the increased projection in the number of individuals with the illness, there is a need to increase a sense of awareness in early detection so that individuals can begin treatment earlier before they experience significant deterioration in their brain functioning.
Relevance of Understanding Alzheimer’s disease
As the elderly navigate through aging, Alzheimer's is becoming a more common cause of death. Pending that progression of the disease is undetectable, it is important to foster that sense of awareness. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and control (2015), one of the goals of the Health people 2020 concerning dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is to have reduced morbidity and costs associated with managing Alzheimer’s disease.
It also aims to improve the quality of life of individuals going through the illness, through better medication. In compliance with this policy, it is important to carry out research on the disease and develop mechanisms of early detection (Sam Norton, 2014). There is also need to increase access to diagnostic services to the elderly so that they can find out about risks involved with dementia. While dementia in itself is a form of mental illness, understanding Alzheimer’s helps demystify some of the negative stereotypes associated with the elderly and dementia. The disease impairs the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, with caregivers taking an active role in providing care. This follows that individuals are unable to drive, maintain social relationships, and participate in activities such as dressing. People living with dementia are at greater risk for general disability and falls that are more frequent.
Significance of Alzheimer’s To the Domains of Society
As explained by Sam Norton (2014), the global impact of dementia is growing. With the increase in preventive measures such as awareness month, they help inform individuals about the disease and some of the preventive measures. The duration of the disease as explained by the Alzheimer Society (2016), affects various aspects of society such as the medical, societal, and caregivers. Within the medical sector, the public health service sector experiences challenge in facilitating care of individuals. The idea behind this is that most individuals require long term care in nursing homes that prove to be expensive.
Caring for people with Alzheimer’s as explained by Bloemke (2016), will cost about twenty trillion dollars over the next forty ears meaning to will require spending about 20000 dollars for each. The reasoning behind the increased costs has to do with morbidity. Meaning a patient with Alzheimer’s is likely to suffer from, anxiety or depression following the challenges the disease brings about. With the elderly already struggling with their various body organs being impaired, conquering the disease proves to be difficult.
A significant challenge in managing the illness centers on caregiving. As explained by Dubois & Cappa (2014), before a diagnosis is available, family members experience significant levels of doubt following the challenges the experience in their loved one relating to memory decline. One of the significant changes that take place centers in the change of the roles. With the family operating on a systemic cycle, one change in the family affects the entire family. The reversal of the roles can at times prove to be overwhelming with children having a hard time seeing their parents lose the ability to carry out tasks.
The worst bit comes in when they are unable to remember them, causing a significant level of emotional turmoil.On average caregivers, spend an average of about five thousand dollars of their money per year to take care of their relative or friend with Alzheimer's or another dementia (Bloemke, 2016). With such an amount in play, notwithstanding the psychological turmoil, one goes through affects the process of caregiving. Most caregivers are spouses or children of the patient who at times have to give up their careers or day-to-day activities to care for their parents. The demands of caregiving interfere with employment, as caregivers often fear living the patient alone, Association, A. (2016). In a recent study researchers discovered that families live out of their means to facilitate treatment of their loved one, regarding getting at home care or long term care.
Recommendations
One of the important steps in preventing Alzheimer's is incorporating healthy lifestyle as evidenced through a balanced diet, exercise, and a significant level of intellectual stimulation. According to the National Institute of Aging (2015), researchers established the importance of having social ties as a preventive measure in helping the elderly adjust to the aging process. B actively involving them in reading books, playing puzzle games, provides the needed intellectual stimulation to avoid degeneration of brain activity. Formal cognitive training also seems to have cognitive benefits. For example, the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly (ACTIVE) trial helps in memory training. Besides from that there is relieve after a researchers at the Imperial collage have identified that Alzheimer’s disease could be prevented by the use of animal virus which will be transferred to specific genes into the brain. The cure has come at the right time because the disease has been so common. Besides from that the research could also open new opportunities to delivering treatment for new diseases. Below is an image of the Alzheimer’s disease and how the gene therapy works.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s is a disease progressively affecting the elderly and AD refers to a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that progress to severe disease over time and it the major cause of dementia. The statistics are alarming with the caregivers having to bear the burden in providing care services. There is a need to improve early detection procedures and processes involving facilitating access to, education and affordable long-term care. As public health professionals, there is a responsibility to strengthen the awareness of individuals concerning Alzheimer’s. There is need for exercise programs that enhances daily living improvement of the affected persons.
References
Association, A. (2016 ). Alzheimer’s Disease Facts And Figures. New York: Washington, DC 20005-6105. . Retrieved 31 October 2016, from https://www.alz.org/documents_custom/2016-facts-and-figures.pdf
Bloemke, R. (2016). Alzheimer’s Association releases 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. Alzheimer’s Association . . Retrieved 31 October 2016, from http://welcomehmc.com/alzheimers-association-releases-2016-alzheimers-disease-facts-and-figures-report/
Care For A Cure - Fighting Breast Cancer and Alzheimer's . (2016). Care For A Cure - Fighting Breast Cancer and Alzheimer's Retrieved 31 October 2016, from http://www.careforacure.org/single-post/2016/10/11/Could-Gene-Therapy-Work-for-Alzheimer%E2%80%99s-Disease
Dubois, B., & Cappa, S. (2014). Advancing research diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease: the IWG-2 criteria The Lancet Neurology , 13 (6), 614-629
Johns, H. (2013). Testimony of Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Fiscal Year 2014 Appropriations for Alzheimer’s-related Activities at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. New York Avenue, NW : Washington, DC . . Retrieved 31 October 2016, from http://www.alz.org/documents/national/submitted-testimony-050113.pdf
Juma, J. N. ( 2015). A Current Understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and the Prospects of Phytopharmacological Intervention as a Management Strategy. Neurological Disorders . . Retrieved 31 October 2016, from http://www.esciencecentral.org/journals/a-current-understanding-of-alzheimers-disease-and-the-prospects-of-phytopharmacological-intervention-as-a-management-strategy-2329-6895-1000244.pdf
National Institute on Aging. (2015). Preventing Alzheimer’s: What do we know? Print.
Sam Norton, D. E. ( 2014 ). Potential for primary prevention of Alzheimer's disease: an analysis of population-based data. The Lancet , Volume 13, No. 8, p788–794. http://www.thelancet.com/action/showFullTextImages?pii=S1474-
Tiwari, R. S. (2014). Lipid Integration in Neurodegeneration: An Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease Molecular Neurobiology , Volume 50, Issue 1, pp. 168–176.
