Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible disorder of the brain that makes steady progress over many years. It slowly robs its victim of his ability to function, and it incapacitates the person with Alzheimer's and the loved one who must take care of him. The majority of people get Alzheimer's disease later in life. With proper nutrition, there's a possibility Alzheimer's disease can be avoided.
Significance
Being able to recognize Alzheimer's symptoms and understand them enables you to deal with them in the best possible way should you have to. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease for which there is no cure, and anyone who has this disease, or anyone with a loved one who has this disease, should be ready for all the challenging changes Alzheimer's disease brings with it.
Identification of Alzheimer's Disease
The most common and earliest sign of Alzheimer's disease is forgetfulness. Someone with Alzheimer's disease may have trouble finding her way home, ask the same question repeatedly, suffer from impaired judgment, put items in places they don't belong, exhibit changes in behavior, abandon personal hygiene or become indecisive. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease become more severe over time, and the Alzheimer's patient may ultimately become unable to communicate, lose weight, experience seizures and skin infections, sleep more, become incontinent, have trouble swallowing and she may start to forget once-familiar faces.
Time Frame
People with Alzheimer's can live 10 years or more once they are diagnosed with the disease, but these people are generally under the age of 80 years old. People over the age of 80 often die in three to four years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's. A patient's gender, condition of health and stage of cognitive impairment will also determine how long he will live.
Treatment with Drugs
Although treatment with drugs cannot cure Alzheimer's disease, certain drugs can assist in keeping some of the symptoms under control. Drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are Aricept®, Exelon®, Razadyne® and Namenda®. These medicines assist patients in their ability to think, remember, speak and act, but these drugs may only be effective for a few months or years. Additional drugs are used to help patients sleep, and help to lessen agitation, wandering, fear, hostility and feelings of sadness.
Nutritional Treatment
A healthy diet may offer protection against Alzheimer's disease. Foods to eat are foods high in fiber and foods such as seaweed, flax, ginger, nuts, eggs and olive oil. Eliminate red meat from your diet and add foods containing vitamin B. Chicken and turkey are beneficial for the tryptophan they contain, as are avocados and low-fat dairy foods. Avoid aluminum in fluoridated water, some deodorants and other items. To be sure there is no aluminum in what you are using or eating, check all labels. Drink wine in moderation, and exercise to improve circulation.
References
- Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet
- Alzheimer's Disease Information Page: National Institute of ...
- Linda Pages's Healthy Healing, All New Eleventh Edition, Linda Page, 2001
