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Alzheimer’s is the disease that strikes the brain in a manner that it loses its capacity to think reason and remember. It is not the ordinary forgetfulness that happens with age, but something graver than that. It is painful when the patients of Alzheimer’s fail to recognize themselves and everything around them, in due course of time. It seems to be incurable but progress of the symptoms can definitely be slowed down. No medicines can work wonders for Alzheimer’s but pure love and care can make a difference.

What lies beneath the disease?
In the brain cells, strange bundles called senile plaques may be formed along with uneven knots called neurofibrillary tangles. These tangles and plaques develop and capture the entire healthy brain and damage the areas in the brain that is linked with intellectual abilities. However no significant reason can be known about this strange process that takes place in the brain. This certainly marks the beginning of the disease.

How do Alzheimer’s develop?
Alzheimer’s disease can affect anybody who has crossed 65 years of age. Though, sometime we can find people in the age group of 40-50 also get this disease, in uncommon and destructing forms. The disease takes on very slowly, with almost 3 to 18 years time to progress. Normally the duration of Alzheimer’s is eight years. Often it has been seen that death results out of some secondary illness and not directly from the disease.

What are the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s?
• Alzheimer’s, in the beginning is just like light forgetfulness in terms of directions to already familiar places and recent happenings. Besides, changes in personality may occur resulting in restlessness, mistrust in others, impulsive behavior and heightened obstinacy.
• In the next phase, problems in decision-making or judgment arise. This affects their social life and they might remain aloof from social gatherings.
• They develop disinterest in personal hygiene, care of appearance and sex. Simple activities of everyday life like using the toilet, eating or bathing seems impossible tasks to them. Agitation sets in and ability to talk and write falters.
• Eventually, in the last stages they are bedridden having lost the capability to recognize any of the family members or friends. They make slow and futile movements but in reality the brain simply gets no signal.

How to diagnose Alzheimer’s?
It is strange how this disease cannot be diagnosed with 100 percent correctness. It depends on the doctor who specializes in such cases, how he judges the condition. Only after the death of the diagnosed person, via autopsies can the tangles and knots inside the brain cells are seen. These days, though accuracy of judgment is much higher as much around 80-90 percent.

What factors increase the risk of Alzheimer’s?
Certain factors like genetics, family history, age and the Down syndrome have been linked with the disease.

Is there any cure for Alzheimer’s?
There are no such medications to cure Alzheimer’s, but the doctor can personally monitor the course of the disease and adjust doses of medication. The patient needs considerable care and patience and only the doctor may determine whether it is safe for the patient to stay at home or under professional care.

Can we prevent Alzheimer’s?
It is sad that there are no sure shot means of preventing Alzheimer’s. Though we are aware of the risk factors but do not know how to properly counter it. Often women are prone to the disease and in their cases, estrogen treatment can be helpful as preventive measure, though nothing can be assured. Other than that we got to remain sharp and aware about ourselves. If you find that you are unable to function properly with a known object, then it might be a wake up call for you.