What is Alzheimer's disease?
Ronald Reagan once led our country with vitality and charisma; he and his family
now lead silently in their battle with Alzheimer's disease, a battle which has
never been won. Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia in which brain cells
get destroyed causing impaired memory and progressively lost cognitive and functional
abilities. Independence is lost early on although symptoms appear gradually
and continue to worsen with age. This disease is always terminal. Alzheimer's
is the fourth leading cause of death in adults after heart disease, cancer,
and stroke.
The only way to diagnose Alzheimer's definitively is with an autopsy. Because
of this, the diagnosis is one of exclusion, meaning several diagnostic tests
must be performed to "rule out" other diseases as well as other causes of dementia.
Some examples include: depression, reactions to various medications, nutritional
deficiencies, and salt imbalance.
Nearly 4 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, which affects one in 10
people over 65 and half of those over age 85. Genetics plays a strong role
here. Women are much more likely to be affected than men.
Click here for related information.
Created: 11/13/2000  - Donnica Moore, M.D.