Testing for Alzheimers disease is an involved process, in reality it may be more of a series of tests rather than a single test. The reason for the complicated procedures involved when testing for Alzheimers disease is that it greatly resembles other forms of senile dementia. There are several classifications for the different testing for Alzheimers disease.
Patient History and Physical Exams
A patient’s history can be a very important indicator of whether or not they may be predisposed to Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia. For example, if the patient had a parent and/or siblings that were affect by the disease they may be more likely to be affected by it as well.
Physical exams can help to eliminate other disease states that may appear to be Alzheimers or dementia. These exams also help doctors to get an overall picture of the patient’s health.
Mental State Exams and Laboratory Tests
Mental state exams are small tests that help doctors to see where their patient is at in regards to problem solving skills, attention span, and short-term memory. These tests can help to identify and problem areas.
Laboratory tests are standard when diagnosing many illnesses. There are literally hundreds of tests at a doctor’s disposal, many of which may come in handy when testing for Alzheimers disease. The most common laboratory tests are blood or urine-based. At times, testing spinal fluid may be done as well. There are new blood tests that can test for an Alzheimers gene with certain strains of Alzheimers.
Other Tests
There are a variety of other tests that doctors have had their disposal to help diagnose Alzheimers disease. The chest x-ray is a common diagnostic tool used by doctors mainly to rule out other diseases that could cause similar symptoms to Alzheimers disease. This tool shows doctors a picture of the inside of a person’s body with the use of small doses of radiation.
A CT or CAT scan (Computed Tomography) takes multiple pictures of a person’s body from different angles very quickly. These images are put into a computer which puts them together into images that show various areas of the body. These scans can be helpful when testing for Alzheimers disease because they may show atrophy (shrinking) of the brain (a common Alzheimers indicator) or possibly other causes for Alzheimers-like symptoms.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests can help when testing for Alzheimers disease by using radio waves to show images from a patient’s body. These images can reveal diseases like stroke or tumors that may cause Alzheimers-like symptoms.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Therapy For Alzheiners Disease Showing Slow Promise
Currently, there are few questionable medications being used in therapy for Alzheimers Disease and there is no known cure. However, some promise is being seen in three drugs currently on the market, as well as in some herbs in treating some of the symptoms of the disease. There are three main areas in which a person with alzheimers may need medical intervention, memory, behavior and daily living.
One of the leading causes of alzheimers is aging and there is no known therapy for Alzheimers Disease caused by this natural process. There is also indication that a gene that may be responsible for Alzheimers causing it to run in families is exceptionally rare, indicating that other than age and other issues with degenerative processes of the brain are responsible. Without an absolute certainty associated with the cause of the ailment and no known cure, therapy for Alzheimers Disease is currently based on possible treatment of memory, behavior and daily living.
In its earliest stages, a person may suffer memory lapses or behavioral changes so subtle that not even close family members will probably recognize them. As the disease advances, patients can still perform most daily functions on their own, but due to a loss of some cognitive abilities may require assistance. In the third stage, they most likely cannot perform even the simplest tasks and will need help with most activities. The cognitive process may be damaged to the point they do not recognize even those people closest to them.
Some Progress Seen In Cognitive Therapies
In many recent studies the use of Ginkgo Biloba in the therapy for Alzheimers Disease has shown promise in helping reduce the effects of cognitive impairment and dementia, although as the disease progresses, its benefit may be reduced. Some recent alternative methods to be used in therapy for Alzheimers Disease suggests the use of Vitamin E, however it is also warned that too high of a dose can also cause cardiac problems.
As the disease’s degenerative traits continue to worsen, occupational therapy may provide some aid, but over time, the patient’s ability to perform simple, daily tasks will degrade to the point that occupational therapy for Alzheimers Disease will no longer be productive.
When the disease has reached a certain height in it attack on the brain, the person will require almost constant care. While many can survive at home with family members serving as full-time caregivers, some patients, especially those with other ailments, may be better receiving therapy for Alzheimers Disease in an assisted living arrangement.
One of the leading causes of alzheimers is aging and there is no known therapy for Alzheimers Disease caused by this natural process. There is also indication that a gene that may be responsible for Alzheimers causing it to run in families is exceptionally rare, indicating that other than age and other issues with degenerative processes of the brain are responsible. Without an absolute certainty associated with the cause of the ailment and no known cure, therapy for Alzheimers Disease is currently based on possible treatment of memory, behavior and daily living.
In its earliest stages, a person may suffer memory lapses or behavioral changes so subtle that not even close family members will probably recognize them. As the disease advances, patients can still perform most daily functions on their own, but due to a loss of some cognitive abilities may require assistance. In the third stage, they most likely cannot perform even the simplest tasks and will need help with most activities. The cognitive process may be damaged to the point they do not recognize even those people closest to them.
Some Progress Seen In Cognitive Therapies
In many recent studies the use of Ginkgo Biloba in the therapy for Alzheimers Disease has shown promise in helping reduce the effects of cognitive impairment and dementia, although as the disease progresses, its benefit may be reduced. Some recent alternative methods to be used in therapy for Alzheimers Disease suggests the use of Vitamin E, however it is also warned that too high of a dose can also cause cardiac problems.
As the disease’s degenerative traits continue to worsen, occupational therapy may provide some aid, but over time, the patient’s ability to perform simple, daily tasks will degrade to the point that occupational therapy for Alzheimers Disease will no longer be productive.
When the disease has reached a certain height in it attack on the brain, the person will require almost constant care. While many can survive at home with family members serving as full-time caregivers, some patients, especially those with other ailments, may be better receiving therapy for Alzheimers Disease in an assisted living arrangement.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease, and Can Anything Be Done About It?
When people ask “What is Alzheimer’s?” the answer is usually just as confusing as the disease itself. If you’re someone looking for information about what alzheimer’s is, but you want it in laymen’s terms, read on.
Alzheimer’s disease, in short, is known to be memory loss and ultimately dysfunction of the brain. Although this short description rings true, it is not everything there is to know about what alzheimer’s disease is. By understanding the main elementals of what alzheimer’s is, you’ll be able to understand the medical aspect of the disease more easily.
So, What Exactly Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Here’s the nitty gritty. What alzheimer’s disease is, is a brain disorder that not only inhibits the person’s ability to remember things, but the disease is also progressive in distorting the thought process, the ability to make decisions or even know where you are at times. In short, the person suffering from alzheimer’s disease will experience slow deterioration of the mind. Hallucinations and delusions are not uncommon when the disease has progressed a ways.
With millions of people around the world suffering from this disease, there has to be a cure, right?
What Can be Done?
Unfortunately, although so many people do suffer from alzheimer’s, there is currently no cure. Make no mistake that there isn’t a solution being worked on, but the breakthrough has yet to be found. However this doesn’t mean that there aren’t things you can do to help someone you know or love when it comes to alleviating some of the pain from the disease.
Knowing what Alzheimer’s is, is the first step. In the beginning stages of the disease, the most important thing you can do is learn all you can about it. Learn about signs and symptoms, what to expect from the person suffering from the disease, and learn to know that the disease doesn’t get better, it only gets worse. If you can recognize this fact and accept it, dealing with alzheimer’s is all that much easier.
In later parts of the disease, you can keep daily diaries for your loved one, and read it to them daily. Even if they’re at the point where they don’t remember much, reading them details of their life and the people in it works wonders for them and you. It’s a great form of therapy and a great place to start when dealing with alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease, in short, is known to be memory loss and ultimately dysfunction of the brain. Although this short description rings true, it is not everything there is to know about what alzheimer’s disease is. By understanding the main elementals of what alzheimer’s is, you’ll be able to understand the medical aspect of the disease more easily.
So, What Exactly Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Here’s the nitty gritty. What alzheimer’s disease is, is a brain disorder that not only inhibits the person’s ability to remember things, but the disease is also progressive in distorting the thought process, the ability to make decisions or even know where you are at times. In short, the person suffering from alzheimer’s disease will experience slow deterioration of the mind. Hallucinations and delusions are not uncommon when the disease has progressed a ways.
With millions of people around the world suffering from this disease, there has to be a cure, right?
What Can be Done?
Unfortunately, although so many people do suffer from alzheimer’s, there is currently no cure. Make no mistake that there isn’t a solution being worked on, but the breakthrough has yet to be found. However this doesn’t mean that there aren’t things you can do to help someone you know or love when it comes to alleviating some of the pain from the disease.
Knowing what Alzheimer’s is, is the first step. In the beginning stages of the disease, the most important thing you can do is learn all you can about it. Learn about signs and symptoms, what to expect from the person suffering from the disease, and learn to know that the disease doesn’t get better, it only gets worse. If you can recognize this fact and accept it, dealing with alzheimer’s is all that much easier.
In later parts of the disease, you can keep daily diaries for your loved one, and read it to them daily. Even if they’re at the point where they don’t remember much, reading them details of their life and the people in it works wonders for them and you. It’s a great form of therapy and a great place to start when dealing with alzheimer’s disease.
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