How Do Alzheimer Patients Die?
Alzheimer's, a type of dementia, is a progressive degenerative disease which causes a decline in cognitive and physical ability. The exact cause of Alzheimer's is unknown. However, multiple factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle have been linked to the onset of the disease and disease progression. Current research is examining an association between dementia and health problems such as obesity, hypertension, coronary artery disease and diabetes. Death from Alzheimer's is most often secondary to complications that arise from the disease. The most common cause of death for people with Alzheimer's is infection.
Process
Alzheimer's may have an early onset (younger than 65 years) or late onset (older than 65 years). The majority of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's have late-onset. Subsequently, these people often have other health problems such as diabetes, hypertension or coronary artery disease. There is no cure for Alzheimer's. Treatment attempts to control disease symptoms and effectively manage chronic health problems to optimize quality of life. As the disease progresses, people lose their ability to take proper care of themselves. The regular activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, and exercise become hard to do. Overall health and wellness is threatened.
Safety
People with Alzheimer's have multiple safety risks because of the deterioration in cognitive function and physical ability. People with Alzheimer's are at great risk for injury because of a loss in ability to interpret dangers in their surroundings, and because of impaired balance and coordination. Head injuries are common and, depending on severity, may further increase disability or result in death. Falls may cause fractures to long bones and hips leaving the person immobile. A serious complication of immobility is infection.
As the disease progresses, people with Alzheimer's eventually become bedridden. Pneumonia and skin breakdown are frequent complications of immobility; recovery from injury and illness becomes protracted.
Nutrition and Sleep
The cognitive and physical deterioration from Alzheimer's affects a person's appetite and ability to eat. Malnutrition and dehydration increase complications from underlying health problems such as diabetes and kidney disease. Alterations in brain function lead to insomnia and irregular sleep patterns for people with Alzheimer's. Chronic inadequate sleep and nutritional deficiencies weaken physical strength and the immune system; risk for injury and infection increase. These complications from Alzheimer's may lead to death.
Comorbidity
Age is a factor in the presence of multiple health problems that many people with Alzheimer's experience. Death from Alzheimer's may result from complications of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure and other conditions. In summation, complications of injury, immobility and infection may independently lead to death or may initiate acute episodes in chronic disease, causing death.
References
- Copstead, L. C., & Banasik, J. L. (2000). Pathophysiology: Biological and Behavioral Perspectives (2nd ed.). New York: Saunders.
- National Institute of Health
