Most Recent Questions and Answers courtesy of AHAF
Is it true that the stress hormone cortisol is linked with Alzheimer’s disease? Do people with anxiety disorders have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s?
It has
been known for some time that those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease
have low levels of acetylcholine (an important brain chemical involved
in nerve cell communication).
The following is a list of the top 10 symptoms to help recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease.
Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging. It is a symptom of dementia, a gradual and progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, a disorder that results in the loss of brain cells.
Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations. There are now more than 5 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease. This number includes 4.9 million people over the age of 65 and between 200,000 and 500,000 people under age 65 with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Alzheimer’s disease begins to damage the brain years before symptoms appear. Why pathological changes occur in the brain leading to such profound damage is not clear. Risk factors are things that increase your chances of developing Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's Diagnosis Importance It's important to seek a doctor's diagnosis as soon as possible. There are treatable conditions that can mimic Alzheimer's symptoms, and other possible reasons for symptoms must be investigated thoroughly to determine the true cause.