Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

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Video Description:Alzheimer's disease follows a general pattern as it worsens over time. Learn what to expect as this common disease runs its course. Transcript:Alzheimer’s disease is degenerative, which means it becomes worse over time. Learn what to expect as Alzheimer’s progresses. Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disorder which usually occurs in people over 65. Alzheimer’s is fatal when the body ceases to function due to a complication of the disease, such as pneumonia. This disease can last anywhere from three to twenty years, averaging about seven to eight. The first sign is memory loss, followed by personality changes, and progressing to a loss of control over bodily functions. These changes gradually happen, in a generally distinguishable set of stages. In the early, or mild, stages of Alzheimer’s, symptoms are not immediately evident. Then, a patient will begin to suffer small memory lapses, such as forgetting the names of familiar places or people. These initial changes can be mistaken for normal signs of aging. However, the decline in cognitive functioning is much more rapid and more severe in people with the disease. As Alzheimer’s progresses, the afflicted individual may experience confusion about everyday tasks and people. They often become disoriented about time and place and tend to exercise poor judgment. More than 40 percent of people with early-stage Alzheimer’s exhibit apathy about their life and condition. People with early-stage Alzheimer’s can often continue living as they have been for some time, particularly when prescription medication is taken. However, the ability to live independently may be lost as an individual enters mid-stage Alzheimer’s. At this point, patients often lose cognitive function rapidly, forgetting recent events and even their personal history. They may have trouble sorting out the names and faces of familiar people, and often forget personal information, like their home address or telephone number. Mid-stage Alzheimer’s patients experience personality changes, as well, often becoming withdrawn. In addition, they may exhibit paranoid behavior and can even have hallucinations. People with mid-stage Alzheimer’s have an increasing dependence on others, and may need help eating, dressing, grooming and using the toilet. Gradually, control of bodily function begins to decline as a person enters late-stage Alzheimer’s. People in the late stage require round-the-clock care. Patients with late-stage Alzheimer’s usually won’t recognize others, or even know their own name. They can no longer communicate or move around without assistance. As Alzheimer’s runs its course, the body slowly shuts down, and a resulting medical condition, like pneumonia, will lead to death. Although Alzheimer’s disease is fatal, prescription medications can often help patients to maintain their quality of life for longer periods of time. The personality changes, cognitive lapses and eventual demise of a person with Alzheimer’s disease are extremely difficult on both patients and their loved ones. For this reason, it is important to seek guidance and support from a doctor and care team. Category:Senior Health/Alzheimer's Disease Tags:Health, Healthcare, doctor, medical, medication, medications, Physician, Hospital, illness, Medicine, MD, Drug, practitioner, Prescription, Dr., Doc, Intern, GP, Cure, Video, Expert, Treatment, treatments, Symptom, Diagnosis, Nurse, Presciptions, FDA, Therapy, Vaccine, Vaccination, Pharmaceutical, Clinic, Checkup, Physical, Healer, Wellness, Insurance, HMO, PPO, Referral, Heal, Disease, Healing, Drugs, Fitness, Nutrition, Pill, Pills, Sick, ill, feeling bad, Pharmacy, Infection, Injury, ER, Emergency Room, Healthy, pain, injury, surgeon, surgery, operation, alzheimer's, alzheimer's disease, memory loss, senile, dementia, senior dementia, aging, senior, senior citizen, brain disorder, brain, behavioral change, mood swing, degenerative, degenerative brain disorder, elderly, hallucination, pneumonia, confused, disoriented, apathy, paranoia, mind, think, neurology, neurologist,
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