What is New Concerning Alzheimer's Disease?
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QUESTION: You could do many people a great service by dedicating a column to
a problem that many of your readers must deal with. Please tell us what is
new concerning Alzheimer's Disease.
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ANSWER: There is some good news to report. Progress has been made in
diagnosing and managing patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
As you may know, Alzheimer's disease is a condition of unknown cause
where the brain cells die prematurely and progressively. That produces memory
loss and generalized intellectual deterioration. The course of the disease is
highly variable, anywhere from two to twenty years from the time it begins
until the patient dies.
Nearly 10 percent of persons over age 65 have Alzheimer's disease and
another 10 percent of persons in that age group are caregivers to loved ones
with the disease.
Areas of progress against the ravages of Alzheimer's disease include
advances in diagnosis, communicating it to the patient and family, and helping
them manage the diseased patient following diagnosis.
The condition is diagnosed much more frequently today than previously for
two reasons. One, as life expectancy improves, many more people are reaching
advanced old age and are facing increased probabilities of suffering
Alzheimer's disease. Two, doctors have more techniques for making the
diagnosis and are now aware that 50-65 percent of all cases of dementia are
due to Alzheimer's.
We have learned also that communicating the condition to the patient and
family needs to be tailored to the individual's condition. Most patients may
be told that they have a memory problem, will need to rely on others to assist
them, will need continuing medical care, and that research is progressing on
some solutions to the problem. Family members, in private, usually are told
exactly what to expect as the disease worsens. Because the news can be so
upsetting, the family may need two or more visits with the physician to fully
comprehend what is happening.
Managing Alzheimer's disease is where the most progress has been made
recently. Many resources now are available to patients and caregivers.
The number of services are great. For patients they include: ongoing
medical care--treating various symptoms, such as anxiety, depression,
agitation, etc.; or families--continuing communication with the physician,
peer support and counseling groups, community day-care services, in-home or
institutional respire care services, legal and financial assistance and
others.
While research advances are being made on possible new medical
treatments, unfortunately none are yet available that arrest or cure
Alzheimer's disease. We still do not know what causes the disease or how we
might prevent it but scientists are working intensely on it.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: You could do many people a great service by dedicating a column to
a problem that many of your readers must deal with. Please tell us what is
new concerning Alzheimer's Disease.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: There is some good news to report. Progress has been made in
diagnosing and managing patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
As you may know, Alzheimer's disease is a condition of unknown cause
where the brain cells die prematurely and progressively. That produces memory
loss and generalized intellectual deterioration. The course of the disease is
highly variable, anywhere from two to twenty years from the time it begins
until the patient dies.
Nearly 10 percent of persons over age 65 have Alzheimer's disease and
another 10 percent of persons in that age group are caregivers to loved ones
with the disease.
Areas of progress against the ravages of Alzheimer's disease include
advances in diagnosis, communicating it to the patient and family, and helping
them manage the diseased patient following diagnosis.
The condition is diagnosed much more frequently today than previously for
two reasons. One, as life expectancy improves, many more people are reaching
advanced old age and are facing increased probabilities of suffering
Alzheimer's disease. Two, doctors have more techniques for making the
diagnosis and are now aware that 50-65 percent of all cases of dementia are
due to Alzheimer's.
We have learned also that communicating the condition to the patient and
family needs to be tailored to the individual's condition. Most patients may
be told that they have a memory problem, will need to rely on others to assist
them, will need continuing medical care, and that research is progressing on
some solutions to the problem. Family members, in private, usually are told
exactly what to expect as the disease worsens. Because the news can be so
upsetting, the family may need two or more visits with the physician to fully
comprehend what is happening.
Managing Alzheimer's disease is where the most progress has been made
recently. Many resources now are available to patients and caregivers.
The number of services are great. For patients they include: ongoing
medical care--treating various symptoms, such as anxiety, depression,
agitation, etc.; or families--continuing communication with the physician,
peer support and counseling groups, community day-care services, in-home or
institutional respire care services, legal and financial assistance and
others.
While research advances are being made on possible new medical
treatments, unfortunately none are yet available that arrest or cure
Alzheimer's disease. We still do not know what causes the disease or how we
might prevent it but scientists are working intensely on it.
----------------
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.
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