Increase size of text: A A A
What is Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a progressive degenerative disease that attacks the brain, resulting in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Over 4 million people are afflicted with AD in the U.S., taking more than 100,000 lives annually. More than 175,000 individuals in the state of Michigan are afflicted with AD in the U.S. It is projected that 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer's or a related disorder by the year 2050 if no cure is found.
No one knows yet exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease. Researchers are learning about what happens to the brain as we grow older, what happens to brain cells in Alzheimer's disease and the genes associated with Alzheimer's, and many other factors that may be important
 Return to top
What are the symptoms?
In most cases, one of the first signs is short-term memory loss. Confusion and personality changes also characterize the early stages of AD. As the disease progresses, a person may lose the ability to perform routine tasks, such as driving or balancing a checkbook. Judgment, concentration, orientation and speech also become impaired. In later stages, the ability to recognize family members and familiar surroundings is affected, and eventually patients lose all mental and physical abilities.
Early diagnosis is important because treatment may be more effective in the earlier stages. Early diagnosis also allows the person with AD to participate in care decisions. In addition, other reversible causes, which can be readily treated, may produce Alzheimer-type symptoms.
Return to top
What are the stages of Alzheimer’s disease?
There are seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease:
- No impairment
- Very mild decline
- Mild decline
- Moderate decline (mild or early stage Alzheimer’s disease)
- Moderately severe decline (moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease)
- Severe decline (moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease)
- Very severe decline (severe or late stage Alzheimer’s disease)
Additional information about each of the stages of Alzheimer’s disease is available on the Alzheimer’s Association National website.
Return to top
What treatment is available?
We do not know the cause and do not yet have a cure for Alzheimer's. However, there are medications currently available that may slow the progression of the disease. Caregivers should take their loved ones for a comprehensive medical exam, including physical, neurological, psychiatric, and laboratory testing, to determine treatment options.
Additional information and fact sheets about the basics about Alzheimer’s disease are available on the National Alzheimer’s Association website.
Return to top
|
