In honor of Katie

Is it Alzheimer's?

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Final Blog

I am a disciplined mind in the regards that I work steadily over time to improve my skills and understanding. I have learned a set way of writing and over time teachers and mentors have taught me ways of improving these writing skills. Over time I gradually test these new techniques and improve my writing. Over time it gets better and more improved.
The three characteristics that best describe me include: exhibiting curiosity, seeing others points of views, and exhibiting respect for other viewpoints. I am curious about different topics. For instance, I was interested in the details of Alzheimer's disease, so I created my blog to find specific details, treatments, and symptoms. Secondly, I like to take into account others view points. In my blog I have a video and post about a Doctor who believes that he has found a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease. I considered this and then decided on my stance on the subject. Finally, I respect others opinions. I don't believe that this one doctor is correct about his Alzheimer's vaccine. However, I respect his efforts in trying to control the disease and beliefs that this vaccine reverses the disease.
Throughout this blog, the most prevailing realization is that the general publics awareness about Alzheimer's disease is much to low. It is one of the leading cause of death among our population today and yet no one really knows how many it affects. I would go as far to say that most people know or have a family member that has had this desease, yet most don't even know how this disease really works.
I think it is important that Alzheimer's awareness is reaised throughout the United States and the world.

polls analysis

Both the polls have led to an obvious conclusion. The general population does not know much about alzheimer's or its growing place in our society. These polls show that people need to become more aware of this disease, its symptoms, and its treatments. Maybe this knowledge could lead to earlier diagnosis' in family members, and therefore help slow the progression of the disease from the start.

Polls

I Dont have very many votes on either poll yet, so come vote everyone!!!! thanks (=

Video: The Alzheimer's vaccine

Hey everybody, if you haven't already you should check out the new video I added. It is Dr.Schenk who is explaining his new vaccine that he believes helps reverses the effects of Alzheimer's. He believes that people that aren't taking the medicine are refusing to help their helath. Do you think this new vaccine can reverses this demtia disease?? Watch the video and decide what you think.
I personally believe that if this vaccine was really effective, that more doctors would be behind this treatment. Also, I believe that this vaccine would be very publicly heard of. However, this video is the first I have heard of this vaccine at all. I think this doctor and his vaccine are lacking merit. Watch this short video and see what you think.

Does your personality affect your brain's aging?

Yes!! New research shows that one's personality might affect their brain's aging. They have found a direct correlation between brain volume and age. This was especially prominent in the emotional and social processing regions of the brain. The study showed that there was lower amounts of Grey material in the brain of those that ranked high in the neuroticism traits. Whereas, there was a higher volume of Grey matter in those who ranked high in the conscientious traits. There are many studies like this going on trying to figure out what causes Alzheimer's and ways to treat and prevent it. So far the studies have not given much help, but as they continue the studies and monitor how the patients are doing they hope there will be a correlation between these two different personality types.

Treatments for Alzheimer's

There is no cure for Alzheimer's however there are treatments that help slow the progression for the disease. Those that suffer from Alzheimer's have low levels of acetylcholine. This is an important chemical in the brain the helps with nerve cell communication. Cholinesterase inhibitors help to slow down the metabolic breakdown of acetylcholine. This allows more of the acetylcholine chemical to remain available for cell communication. These medications will help slow the progression of the disease, but it does not stop it. It is also only available for patients in the beginning to moderate stages of the disease.
These are the inhibitors that are proven to help slow Alzheimer's down:

• Razadyne® (galantamine)
• Exelon® (rivastigmine)
• Aricept® (donepezil)
• Cognex® (tacrine)

Currently these are the only sound treatments for patients. However there is a vaccine and antioxidants that are being used in human trials.

Remember you can donate and help the cause at caring.com or alz.org (=

Do you or have you every known anyone with Alzheimer's? If so you should go to caring.com where you can create a ribbon in honor of your loved one who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. At this site, you create a ribbon and then copy and paste the url to a website or blog. For every ribbon posted, caring.com will donate $10.00 to the Alzheimer's Association. This is free and helps raise money for research on this deadly dementia. If you don't know anyone who's suffered you can simply donate a ribbon the the cause or research for the disease. Creating a ribbon is free to and it only takes a few minutes. Please help Alheimer's research now!! (=

This illustration shows how Alzheimer's Disease affects the brain. There is a distinct difference between the healthy brain and the mildly affected one, not to mention the difference between the healthy and severely affected one. This picture shows that the cortical shrinks and the hippocampus shrinks while the ventricles become enlarged.
Although the cause of Alzheimer's is still unknown and therefor there no cures, it is known that genetics and age play a very large role in this disease. Getting very scientific, it is found that there is a correlation between those with three copies of chromosome 21 and Alzheimer's patients. However, it is still being researched if it is a major factor or not. Also, there is a gene on chromosome 19 that makes protein called apolipoprotein E4 is especially common in people who have Alzheimer's Disease. However it too has not been directly pointed out as a cause of the disease.
Researchers are still working toward finding a cure and are continually trying new treatments for patients of the disease.

How to spend time with an Alzheimer's patient

The following is a list of ideas from alz.org on things you can do with an Alzheimer's patient. They might be losing their memory, but that doesn't mean they can't spend time with you. Here's a few ideas of activities you can do with them.

• read a book out loud to them
• bake cookies
• take pictures and make a collage
• work in the garden
• look at old family photo albums
• have them visit with a pet
• ask them about siblings
  
• ask them about old memories
• go for a walk
• make a bird feeder
• watch a movie
• ask them to participate in a favorite hobby with you
• ask the person about their favorite things

As an Alzheimer patients memory begins to fade, it is harder to talk to them. They are starting to forget and it becomes complicated to explain things to them. These activities will allow you to spend time with them and not make them confused or stressed out. It's hard to talk to a loved one when they are having trouble remembering details. Perhaps just participating in an activity will be more enjoyable for both people.

The stages of Alzheimer's

Stage 1:	No impairment (normal function)
	Unimpaired individuals experience no memory problems and none are evident to a health care professional during a medical interview.

Stage 2:	Very mild cognitive decline (may be normal age-related changes or earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease)
	Individuals may feel as if they have memory loss and lapses, especially in forgetting familiar words or names or the location of keys, eyeglasses or other everyday objects. But these problems are not evident during a medical examination or apparent to friends, family or co-workers.

Stage 3:

Mild cognitive decline Early-stage Alzheimer's can be diagnosed in some, but not all, individuals with these symptoms

Friends, family or co-workers begin to notice deficiencies. Problems with memory or concentration may be measurable in clinical testing or discernible during a detailed medical interview. Common difficulties include: Word- or name-finding problems noticeable to family or close associates Decreased ability to remember names when introduced to new people Performance issues in social or work settings noticeable to family, friends or co-workers Reading a passage and retaining little material Losing or misplacing a valuable object Decline in ability to plan or organize

Stage 4:

Moderate cognitive decline (Mild or early-stage Alzheimer's disease)

At this stage, a careful medical interview detects clear-cut deficiencies in the following areas: Decreased knowledge of recent occasions or current events Impaired ability to perform challenging mental arithmetic-for example, to count backward from 75 by 7s Decreased capacity to perform complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills and managing finances Reduced memory of personal history The affected individual may seem subdued and withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations

Stage 5:

Moderately severe cognitive decline (Moderate or mid-stage Alzheimer's disease)

Major gaps in memory and deficits in cognitive function emerge. Some assistance with day-to-day activities becomes essential. At this stage, individuals may: Be unable during a medical interview to recall such important details as their current address, their telephone number or the name of the college or high school from which they graduated Become confused about where they are or about the date, day of the week or season Have trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; for example, counting backward from 40 by 4s or from 20 by 2s Need help choosing proper clothing for the season or the occasion Usually retain substantial knowledge about themselves and know their own name and the names of their spouse or children Usually require no assistance with eating or using the toilet

Stage 6:

Severe cognitive decline (Moderately severe or mid-stage Alzheimer's disease)

Memory difficulties continue to worsen, significant personality changes may emerge and affected individuals need extensive help with customary daily activities. At this stage, individuals may: Lose most awareness of recent experiences and events as well as of their surroundings Recollect their personal history imperfectly, although they generally recall their own name Occasionally forget the name of their spouse or primary caregiver but generally can distinguish familiar from unfamiliar faces Need help getting dressed properly; without supervision, may make such errors as putting pajamas over daytime clothes or shoes on wrong feet Experience disruption of their normal sleep/waking cycle Need help with handling details of toileting (flushing toilet, wiping and disposing of tissue properly) Have increasing episodes of urinary or fecal incontinence Experience significant personality changes and behavioral symptoms, including suspiciousness and delusions (for example, believing that their caregiver is an impostor); hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there); or compulsive, repetitive behaviors such as hand-wringing or tissue shredding Tend to wander and become lost

Stage 7:

Very severe cognitive decline (Severe or late-stage Alzheimer's disease)

This is the final stage of the disease when individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment, the ability to speak and, ultimately, the ability to control movement. Frequently individuals lose their capacity for recognizable speech, although words or phrases may occasionally be uttered Individuals need help with eating and toileting and there is general incontinence of urine Individuals lose the ability to walk without assistance, then the ability to sit without support, the ability to smile, and the ability to hold their head up. Reflexes become abnormal and muscles grow rigid. Swallowing is impaired. Clearly Alzheimer's can be a rapidly progressing disease. Maybe this data could be a motivation to learn some Alzheimer's preventive practices. By the end of this disease, many are unable to function. It is a very sad state to end up. This would disease is hard on both family members and obviously those suffering from the disease. Let's help find a treatment for Alzheimer's!!

Did you know...

• 5.3 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's today.
• Alzheimer's is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.
• Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, it accounts for 50-80% for dementia cases
  
• There is no cure for this disease right now.
  
• Every 70 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's.
• Africa-Americans are two times more likely than whites and Hispanics are 1.5 times more likely than whites to get the disease.
• While other major causes of death have decreases, Alzheimer's continues to rise rapidly.

info from alz.org

It is evident that we need work towards stopping this very rapidly progressing disease. It affects millions of citizens every year. You can help out the cause by donating to the Alzheimer's association or participating in one of the various memory walks that are held around the country. (= Let's help stop Alzheimer's disease now!!