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Alzheimer’s Disease
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Alzheimer's disease (AD)? Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder that affects a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate, and carry out daily activities. It is the most common form of dementia, a group of brain disorders that gradually destroy brain cells. The most common form of the disease, late on-set AD, affects people over age 65. People with AD generally experience a progression of symptoms. At first, the only symptom may be mild forgetfulness. Later in the disease, symptoms may include forgetting how to do simple tasks and having problems recognizing familiar people or places. Difficulties with speaking, thinking clearly, reading, and writing are also common. People with advanced AD may become anxious or aggressive and are often unable to care for themselves. What are the causes of Alzheimer's disease? Currently, scientists do not fully understand the causes of AD. Age is the most common risk factor; the number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Family history and genetics are other known risk factors. A rare form of the disease, early-onset familial AD, is inherited and occurs between the ages of 30 and 60. How many people suffer from Alzheimer's disease? It is estimated that 4.5 million people currently suffer from AD in the United States . By 2050, the number of Americans with AD could range between 11.3 and 16 million. According to a recent Gallup poll, 1 in 10 Americans said that they had a family member with AD and 1 in 3 knew someone with the disease. How is Alzheimer's disease treated? There are several medications that may temporarily delay memory decline and other symptoms of AD, but there are no drugs to stop the degeneration of brain cells. Every day scientists learn more about the disease, but currently there is no cure. How long can a person live with Alzheimer's disease? AD is a slow disease, starting with mild memory problems and ending with severe brain damage. The course the disease takes and how fast changes occur vary from person to person. On average, patients with AD live from 8 to 10 years after diagnosis, though the disease can last for as many as 20 years. How accurate are tests for Alzheimer's disease? Doctors in specialized AD treatment centers can now diagnose the disease with up to 90 percent accuracy in a living person. Early and careful evaluation is important, because many conditions, including some that are treatable or reversible, may cause dementia-like symptoms. Examples of such treatable medical conditions are depression, nutritional deficiencies, adverse drug interactions, and metabolic changes. What is the impact of Alzheimer's disease on society? More than 70 percent of people with AD live at home and receive most of their care from family members and friends. In the |
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For more information contact Health Professions Press toll free at 888-337-8808 or visit us online at www.healthpropress.com
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