ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE 1

Alzheimer’s Disease

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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE 2

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder which leads to the degeneration of brain

cells. It is a neurodegenerative disease that progresses gradually (Tramutola et al. 2017).

Memory loss is a major symptom of Alzheimer's disease. The disease affects memory, thinking

and reasoning and even leads to personality changes. Examples of symptoms related to memory

include repeating of statements over and over and getting lost in areas that were previously

familiar. The effect of the disease on thinking and reasoning negatively affects cognition, for

example, difficulties in concentration.

The nature of the disease is progressive which means it gradually becomes more serious

and this means the severity of the symptoms changes. Alzheimer's contributes to the loss of

different cognitive abilities. Old age is a major risk factor for this progressive disease. There are

different steps that older adults can take to protect themselves against Alzheimer’s disease.

Physical exercise and healthy dietary habits play an important role in reducing the level of risk of

Alzheimer's (Fernandez, Ivanauskas & Ribeiro, 2017).

Social connections are also important in helping older adults to protect themselves

against Alzheimer's disease. Engaging in intellectual activities also keeps older adults mentally

active and that is important in reducing the possibility of cognitive decline. Prevention of head

trauma is also important in protecting oneself against Alzheimer’s disease. For those that are

affected by the disease, there is need to effectively manage the condition and its effects. There is

no treatment to reverse the condition but only to manage the disease, for example, to reduce the

speed of degeneration.
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Research on Alzheimer’s plays an important role in understanding the risk factors,

symptoms and management approaches of the disease (Alzheimer's Association, 2018).

Education of older adults is important in helping them protect themselves against Alzheimer’s

disease which is a major cause of Dementia. Apart from old age, other risk factors include head

trauma, conditions like diabetes and lifestyle issues such as poor sleeping patterns (Alzheimer's

Association, 2018). Risk management is important for older adults because they are at higher

risk. The disease goes through different stages, for instance, the difference between the early

stages and the late stages of the disease. This means that the disease has the potential to be

severe.
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References

Alzheimer's Association. (2018). 2018 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. Alzheimer's &

Dementia, 14(3), 367-429.

Fernández, S. S. M., Ivanauskas, T., & Ribeiro, S. M. L. (2017). Nutritional strategies in the

management of Alzheimer disease: systematic review with network meta-analysis.

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 18(10), 897-e13.

Tramutola, A., Lanzillotta, C., Perluigi, M., & Butterfield, D. A. (2017). Oxidative stress, protein

modification and Alzheimer disease. Brain research bulletin, 133, 88-96.