Alzheimer's disease is caused by deterioration of brain tissue. Mental functions degenerate with time. The trend is irreversible. The progression can be fast or slow, two to twenty years.
The precise cause of the disease is unknown. This would be, according to Karl-Heinz, a malfunction of a type of white blood cells normally responsible for killing bacteria attacking neurons.
The first symptoms are minor distractions. Then the short-term memory is affected. The patient, however, retains his old memories better early in the disease. At worse, the understanding of language is more difficult, the movements become less coordinated, decision making is difficult, recognition of signs and faces is lost.
When Alzheimer's disease is genetic, the first signs appear earlier, often before the age of 60 years.
Those most at risk are aged over 65 or have a family history or have suffered a head injury, depression.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. Some medications may sometimes delay progression of the disease.
Generally, we do not die of Alzheimer's disease. Death is rather caused by complications due to the unawareness of the patient falls, worsening an infection not reported by the patient, hard to swallow causing choking, etc..
16 avril 2010
| The text above is for information purposes only. Only a doctor can diagnose a disease. No treatment (medication or scheme) should be undertaken without consulting a health professional. |