NEW DISEASE

hello friends this is the information about a illness which you never heard....

the illness name is ALZHEIMER..

About Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, and this terminal, progressive brain disorder has no known cause or cure. It slowly steals the minds of its victims, leading to memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, personality changes, disorientation and the inability to communicate. More than 5 million Americans are believed to have Alzheimer’s disease and by 2050, as the U.S. population ages, this number could increase to 15 million. Worldwide, nearly 36 million people are believed to be living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. That number is projected to increase to 65.7 million by 2030 and 115.4 million by 2050. The emotional and financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are enormous.

Alzheimer's Disease Research (ADR), a program of the American Health Assistance Foundation, seeks to avert this tidal wave by funding research to find a cure. We are also committed to fully informing the public, those directly affected and their caregivers about this disease by offering updates on the latest research, as well as risk factors, prevention and coping strategies. ADR has awarded more than $74.4 million to support promising research in fields ranging from molecular biology to epidemiology.

Risk Factors

Scientists have identified factors that appear to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, but no definitive causes have been found for this complex disorder.

Known Risk Factors

• Age: The single greatest risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is age. Approximately 5 percent of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74, and almost half of those 85 years and older are estimated to have Alzheimer's.
• Genetics: The majority of Alzheimer’s cases are late-onset, usually developing after age 65, and this form of the disease shows no obvious inheritance pattern. However, in some families, clusters of cases are seen. A gene called Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) appears to be a risk factor for the late-onset form of Alzheimer’s. There are three forms of this gene: ApoE2, ApoE3 and ApoE4. Roughly one in four Americans has ApoE4 and one in twenty has ApoE2. While inheritance of ApoE4 increases the risk of developing the disease, ApoE2 substantially protects against it. Some current research is focused on the association between these two forms of ApoE and Alzheimer's disease. Several other genes also appear to influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and more detailed information is available in the Heredity section.
  
  Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) or early-onset Alzheimer's is an inherited, rare form of the disease, affecting less than 10 percent of patients. Familial Alzheimer's Disease develops before age 65, in people as young as 35. It is caused by one of three gene mutations on chromosomes 1, 14 and 21.

Potential Contributing Factors

• Cardiovascular disease: Risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, may also increase one's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. High blood pressure may damage blood vessels in the brain, disrupting regions that are important in decision-making, memory and verbal skills. This could contribute to the progression of the disease. High cholesterol may inhibit the ability of the blood to clear protein from the brain.

• Type 2 Diabetes: There is growing evidence of a link between Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes. In Type 2 diabetes insulin does not work effectively to convert blood sugar into energy. This inefficiency results in production of higher levels of insulin and blood sugar which may harm the brain and contribute to the progression of Alzheimer's.

• Oxidative Damage: Free radicals are unstable molecules that sometimes result from chemical reactions within cells. These molecules seek stability by attacking other molecules, which can harm cells and tissue and may contribute to the neuronal brain cell damage caused by Alzheimer's.

• Inflammation: Inflammation is a natural, but sometimes harmful, healing bodily function in which immune cells rid themselves of dead cells and other waste products. As protein plaques develop, inflammation results, but it is not known whether this process is damaging and a cause of Alzheimer's, or part of an immune response attempting to contain the disease.

• Other Possible Risk Factors: Some studies have implicated prior traumatic head injury, lower education level and female gender as possible risk factors. Alzheimer's disease may also be associated with an immune system reaction or a virus.

Heredity

Familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) or early-onset Alzheimer’s is an inherited and rare. It affects less than 10 percent of Alzheimer’s disease patients. Familial Alzheimer's disease develops before age 65, in people as young as 35. It is caused by gene mutations on chromosomes 1, 14 and 21. If even one of these mutated genes is inherited from a parent, the person will almost always develop Familial Alzheimer's disease. All offspring in the same generation have a 50/50 chance of developing this type of Alzheimer's if one parent has it.

The majority of Alzheimer’s disease cases are late-onset, usually developing after age 65. Late-onset Alzheimer’s disease has no known cause and shows no obvious inheritance pattern. However, in some families, clusters of cases are seen. Although a specific gene has not been identified as the cause of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, genetic factors do appear to play a role in the development of this form of the disease. A gene called Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) appears to be a risk factor for the late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease. There are three forms of this gene: ApoE2, ApoE3 and ApoE4. Roughly one in four Americans has ApoE4 and one in twenty has ApoE2. While inheritance of ApoE4 increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, ApoE2 substantially protects against it.

Scientists believe that several other genes may influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Two of these genes, UBQLN1 and SORL1, are located on chromosomes 9 and 11. Researchers have also identified three genes on chromosome 10, one of which produces an insulin degrading enzyme that may contribute to the disease. A gene, called TOMM40, appears to significantly increase one’s susceptibility to developing Alzheimer’s when other risk factors are present, such as having the ApoE-4 gene. Several recently discovered genes that influence Alzheimer’s disease risk are CLU (also called APOJ) on chromosome 8, which produces a protein called clusterin, PICALM on chromosome 11 and CR1 on chromosome 1.

Genetic risk factors alone are not enough to cause the late-onset form of Alzheimer’s disease, so researchers are actively exploring education, diet and environment to learn what role they might play in the development of this disease.

Prevention

Alzheimer's disease is a complex disorder, for which there is currently no known prevention or cure. Some research has generated hope that one day it might be possible to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, delay its symptoms or even prevent it from occurring at all. Although there is preliminary data to support the benefit of some interventions, such as physical activity and cardiovascular risk reduction, nothing at this time has definitively been shown to prevent Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.  The scientific advisors of the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) do not currently recommend or endorse any commercial nutritional supplement, exercise program, or cognitive training exercises for the purposes of preventing Alzheimer’s disease. In spite of this, AHAF encourages people to evaluate the role of these interventions on the overall health and spirits of both the patient and caregivers

Diet

A number of preliminary studies suggest that how we eat may raise or lower our risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Eating a diet that is high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and that is low in sugar and fat can reduce the incidence of many chronic diseases, and researchers are continuing to study whether these dietary modifications are also applicable to Alzheimer’s disease.  However, the strongest research supporting these modifications has been performed in animal studies, and remains to be rigorously established in randomized and controlled clinical trials.

There are, however, some exciting reports, that though currently preliminary, may one day be shown to protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Many of these modifications have also been shown to be part of overall healthy lifestyles that are likely to protect against other diseases as well. For example,  researchers found that clinical trial participants who adhered to a Mediterranean diet have a slower decline on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) cognitive decline.  The Mediterranean diet may be protective against other diseases as well, including age-related macular degeneration.  Also, vitamin D3 has been shown to have neuroprotective effects that may preserve cognitive function. This vitamin is produced naturally by the body from exposure to the sun, and is also being studied by AHAF supported scientists for its potential protective effects against glaucoma.

Some studies conducted in animals have shown that including blueberries, strawberries, and cranberries in the diet can lead to improved cognitive function, both in animals that age normally and in those that have been bred to develop “Alzheimer’s disease.”  Scientists are beginning to study what chemicals within these berries might be responsible for their beneficial effects.

Curcumin is a spice typically found in turmeric which is used to enhance the flavor of curries and meats in Indian cuisine. Currently researchers are studying the effects of curcumin on the human brain. Recent research implies that curcumin might actually reduce the amount of beta-amyloid plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.  The problem with curcumin is that, in its natural state it is very difficult for a human body to absorb curcumin consumed as food.  Once in the blood stream, it is also quite difficult for curcumin pass from the blood to the brain.   AHAF funded scientists are studying whether special preparations of curcumin might overcome these limitations.   Similarly, a study conducted on green tea and Alzheimer’s disease indicates that an antioxidant found in green tea, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has powerful anti-plaque ability and may actually prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease.

Switching from animal based oils and vegetable oil to extra virgin olive oil may also be a good habit to adopt. According to recent research, not only is extra virgin olive oil a generally healthy food, but it may prevent Alzheimer’s disease as well. Studies suggest that oleocanthal, a naturally-occurring compound found in extra-virgin olive oil, changes the structure of Amyloid beta-Derived Diffusible Ligands (ADDLs). ADDLs are proteins that are toxic to nerve cells and may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. By structurally changing ADDLs, oleocanthal may be stopping the proteins' ability to damage nerve cells within the brain.

Exercise

Exercise is an important activity to add to a healthy lifestyle. AHAF encourages people to discuss exercise plans with their health care provider, so that an appropriate exercise program can be tailored for your specific needs.  Studies conducted on those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) indicate that aerobic exercise may improve cognitive agility. In one study, investigators looked at the relationship between physical activity and ones’ risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. 1,700 adults aged 65 years and older were observed over a 6-year period in this study. Results showed that the risk of Alzheimer’s disease was 35 to 40 percent lower in those who exercised for at least 15 minutes 3 or more times a week than in those who exercised fewer than 3 times a week. 

While it is not proven that exercise could prevent Alzheimer’s disease or slow its’ progression, animal studies and preliminary human studies have produced significant interest amongst scientists.  Larger, and more rigorous, randomized controlled trials will be necessary before a definitive statement on the role of exercise in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease can be made. In spite of this, developing an exercise program as part of an Alzheimer’s disease patient’s routine may also be helpful with maintaining muscle strength, decreasing frailty, and elevating mood.

Estrogen

Over the past several years, estrogen has been recognized as having a protective role in the brain. However, its’ potential role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease has yet to be determined. In fact, clinical trials have shown that estrogen does not slow the progression of already-diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease and is not effective in treating or preventing AD if treatment is begun in later life.

One large trial found that women older than 65 who began taking estrogen in the form of Premarin® or PremPro® were actually at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Although results from such studies were disappointing, many questions remain. For instance, would starting estrogen therapy closer to menopause be more effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease? These questions and other concerns related to estrogen’s relationship with Alzheimer’s disease are currently being studied in clinical trials.

Symptoms & Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Some common early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include confusion, disturbances in short-term memory, problems with attention and spatial orientation, changes in personality, language difficulties and unexplained mood swings. Normally, these symptoms are very mild, and presence of the disease may not be apparent to the person experiencing the symptoms, loved ones or even health professionals. The three stages listed below represent the general progression of the disease. Although these symptoms will likely vary in severity and chronology, overlap and fluctuate, the overall progress of the disease is fairly predictable. On average, people live for 8 to 10 years after diagnosis, but this terminal disease can last for as long as 20 years.

Alzheimer’s generally leads to impairment of cognitive and memory function, communication problems, personality changes, erratic behavior, dependence and loss of control over bodily functions. Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t affect every person the same way, but symptoms normally progress in these stages.

Stage 1 (Mild): This stage can last from 2 to 4 years. Early in the illness, those with Alzheimer’s tend to be less energetic and spontaneous. They exhibit minor memory loss and mood swings, and are slow to learn and react. They may become withdrawn, avoid people and new places and prefer the familiar. Individuals become confused, have difficulty organizing and planning, get lost easily and exercise poor judgment. They may have difficulty performing routine tasks, and have trouble communicating and understanding written material. If the person is employed, memory loss may begin to affect job performance. They can become angry and frustrated.

Some specific examples of behaviors that people exhibit in this mild stage include:

• Getting lost
• Difficulty managing money and paying bills
• Repetitive questions and conversations
• Taking longer than usual to finish routine daily tasks
• Poor judgment
• Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
• Noticeable changes in personality or mood

Stage 2 (Moderate): This is generally the longest stage and can last 2 to 10 years. In this stage, the person with Alzheimer’s is clearly becoming disabled. Individuals can still perform simple tasks independently, but may need assistance with more complicated activities. They forget recent events and their personal history, and become more disoriented and disconnected from reality. Memories of the distant past may be confused with the present, and affect the person’s ability to comprehend the current situation, date and time. They may have trouble recognizing familiar people. Speech problems arise and understanding, reading and writing are more difficult, and the individual may invent words. They may no longer be safe alone and can wander. As Alzheimer’s patients become aware of this loss of control, they may become depressed, irritable and restless or apathetic and withdrawn. They may experience sleep disturbances and have more trouble eating, grooming and dressing.

Stage 3 (Severe): This stage may last 1 to 3 years. During this final stage, people may lose the ability to feed themselves, speak, recognize people and control bodily functions, such as swallowing or bowel and bladder control. Their memory worsens and may become almost non-existent. They will sleep often and grunting or moaning can be common. Constant care is typically necessary. In a weakened physical state, patients may become vulnerable to other illnesses, skin infections, and respiratory problems, particularly when they are unable to move around.

Memory Problems: Is It Alzheimer’s?

Mild forgetfulness and memory delays are often part of the normal aging process. Older individuals simply need more time to learn a new fact or to remember an old one. We all have occasional difficulty remembering a word or someone's name; however, those with Alzheimer's disease will find these symptoms progressing in frequency and severity. Everyone, from time to time will forget where they placed their car keys; an individual with Alzheimer’s disease may not remember the purpose of the keys. There has been recent interest in a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Individuals with “amnesic” MCI, the most common form, have memory impairment (for example, difficulty remembering names and following conversations and pronounced forgetfulness), but are able to perform routine daily activities without assistance. These MCI patients generally have normal judgment, perception and reasoning skills. Many people with MCI are at risk for further cognitive decline, usually caused by Alzheimer’s disease. However, while all patients who develop some form of dementia go through a period of MCI, not all patients exhibiting MCI will develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Symptoms of MCI may include:

• Memory problems that are noticed by others
• Poor performance on cognitive tests
• Depression
• Irritability, anxiety and sometimes aggressive or apathetic behavior

Many conditions can contribute to the development of memory problems and dementia; Alzheimer’s disease is just one of them. A decline in intellectual functioning that significantly interferes with normal social relationships and daily activities is characteristic of dementia, which is most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease and multi-infarct dementia (a series of small strokes in the brain) cause the vast majority of dementias in the elderly. Other possible causes of dementia-like symptoms include infections, drug interactions, a metabolic or nutritional disorder, brain tumors, depression or another progressive disorder like Parkinson's disease.

If memory loss increases in frequency or severity, makes an impression on friends and family, begins to interfere with daily activities (for example, employment tasks, social interactions and family chores), seek qualified professional advice and evaluation by a physician with extensive knowledge, experience and interest in dementia and memory problems.

Visit Your Doctor

Visit your physician if you, your family and friends, notice worsening memory loss that begins to affect normal daily tasks, employment and social interactions. Other signs that may point to Alzheimer's disease include changes in personality, language difficulties, problems with simple mathematical tasks, impairment in gait or movement, and problems with attention and orientation.

A physician with extensive knowledge and experience in dementia and memory problems can perform a thorough evaluation to determine whether someone has dementia, and if so, its potential causes. Other specialists may be called upon for a better diagnosis. Proper medication may be able to slow the progression of the disease and delay cognitive decline. These drugs are generally more effective the earlier they are administered.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia is a progressive deterioration of intellectual functions due to a brain disease, organ failure or malfunction, drug toxicity or other causes. In western countries, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about half of all dementia cases.

At present, the only way to definitely diagnose Alzheimer's is through a brain autopsy. If the person exhibited Alzheimer-like symptoms while alive and the brain tissue contains the microscopic physical abnormalities typical of Alzheimer's disease, then a definitive diagnosis can be made. While a person is alive, physicians can correctly diagnose Alzheimer's disease about 90 percent of the time based on mental and behavioral symptoms, a physical examination, neuropsychological tests and laboratory tests.

An evaluation to diagnose Alzheimer's disease consists of several parts: taking a recent history of mental and behavioral symptoms; a physical examination; and neuropsychological tests.

The physician will normally take a history of mental and behavioral symptoms, using information provided by the patient and the family. In nearly 75 percent of cases, Alzheimer's starts with the inability to remember recent events and to learn and retain new information. Early stage patients experience memory problems that interfere with daily living and steadily worsen. Other early symptoms can include difficulty managing money, driving, orientation, shopping, following instructions, abstract (conceptual) thinking and finding the right words. There may also be other problems, such as poor judgment, emotional instability and apathy. Alzheimer's disease can be distinguished from other types of dementia in part by the symptoms exhibited, the extent to which these symptoms occur and the speed with which the disease progresses.

A physical examination will be performed to help identify and rule out other potential causes of dementia. This exam will normally include a general physical, blood tests and urinalysis. Through a blood test, for example, the physician can measure thyroid function; hypothyroidism or failure to produce sufficient thyroid hormones, which is common in the elderly and can cause dementia. Dementia may also be the result of a vitamin B12 deficiency, a condition common in older people. A vitamin B12 deficiency can be measured through blood tests. Physicians may use brain scans (such as magnetic resonance imaging or MRI) to rule out other possible causes of dementia, including brain tumors, stroke, blood accumulation on the brain surface or other conditions. In addition, brain scans can show characteristic structural changes present in Alzheimer's disease. Physicians may administer an electroencephalogram (EEG) to measure the electrical activity in the brain. Occasionally, spinal fluid may be tested through a lumbar puncture.

Neuropsychological tests identify behavioral and mental symptoms associated with brain injury or abnormal brain function. The neuropsychological tests used will depend on the symptoms and the dementia’s state of advancement. Usually, physicians start with a brief screening tool, such as the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), to help confirm that the patient is experiencing problems with intellectual functions. The MMSE includes tests of memory, attention, mathematical calculation and language. If a patient has severe dementia, further neuropsychological testing beyond the MMSE is usually not necessary. However, for patients with mild intellectual deficits, more tests may be needed to determine whether the patient is simply showing signs of advanced age or is developing Alzheimer's disease. The patient may be referred to a neuropsychologist, who will administer a battery of tests to identify more specific deficits.

Many scientists are researching new ways to inexpensively and reliably diagnose Alzheimer’s disease earlier and with more accuracy.

Some research on better diagnosis focuses on personality changes and cognitive functioning, measured through memory and recall tests. Such tests might point to early Alzheimer’s or predict which individuals are at higher risk of developing this disease in the future. Other studies are examining a correlation between early brain damage and outward clinical signs. Researchers are also looking at changes occurring in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid that may indicate the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, scientists are developing sophisticated brain imaging systems that could help measure the slightest changes in brain function or structure to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease before any noticeable symptoms occur.