In 2050, an estimated 50 million Americans over the age of 65 are expected to have Alzheimer 's Disease. Alzheimer 's Disease has been acknowledged and portrayed throughout history. Throughout this report the history, symptoms, different methods of diagnosis, prognosis or outcome, and treatments options for Alzheimer 's Disease will be discussed. In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German physician, identified a collection of abnormal brain cells after a patient died after suffering years of memory problems, confusion, and difficulty understanding questions. After the death of the patient, Dr. Alzheimer noticed neuritic plaques, which are dense deposits around nerve cells. Within the neuritic plaque he observed neurofibrillary tangles. Since
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There are different ways to diagnose Alzheimer 's Disease. To diagnose Alzheimer 's, your doctor may ask you questions about changes in health and the abilities to do your daily activities, perform memory tests and problem solving tests, or perform brain scans like a Computed Topography scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging to ensure that it is Alzheimer 's. For further assessment your doctor may refer you to a geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist, which manages older adults health care, mental, and emotional problems. The doctor may also refer you to a neurologist or neuropsychologist, which concentrate on abnormalities in the brain and nervous system and conduct memory and thinking tests. Getting an accurate and early diagnosis will be beneficial for preserving normal function, planning for future living arrangements, financial and living matters, and developing support networks. Dr. Barry Reisburg has developed a seven stage system that helps determine the severity of Alzheimer 's. In Stage one, there are no signs of impairment and no memory problems. In stage two, there are slight changes in cognitive functions and is the stage where the earliest signs of Alzheimer 's Disease, but could also be signs of aging also. In stage three, there is mild signs cognitive functions declining. This is considered earliest stage Alzheimer 's will be diagnosed, some …show more content…
The first type is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which is a drug that works “by boosting levels of a cell-to-cell communication chemical depleted in the brain by Alzheimer 's Disease.” This will just help keep the symptoms from showing for some time. Cholinesterase inhibitors will help improve memory though. A couple of examples of this type of medicine is Aricept and Exelon. The other medication that can be used is Memantine, and it “works in another brain cell communication network and slows the progression of symptoms with moderate to severe Alzheimer 's Disease and is sometimes used in combination with a cholinesterase
There are different ways to diagnose Alzheimer 's Disease. To diagnose Alzheimer 's, your doctor may ask you questions about changes in health and the abilities to do your daily activities, perform memory tests and problem solving tests, or perform brain scans like a Computed Topography scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging to ensure that it is Alzheimer 's. For further assessment your doctor may refer you to a geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist, which manages older adults health care, mental, and emotional problems. The doctor may also refer you to a neurologist or neuropsychologist, which concentrate on abnormalities in the brain and nervous system and conduct memory and thinking tests. Getting an accurate and early diagnosis will be beneficial for preserving normal function, planning for future living arrangements, financial and living matters, and developing support networks. Dr. Barry Reisburg has developed a seven stage system that helps determine the severity of Alzheimer 's. In Stage one, there are no signs of impairment and no memory problems. In stage two, there are slight changes in cognitive functions and is the stage where the earliest signs of Alzheimer 's Disease, but could also be signs of aging also. In stage three, there is mild signs cognitive functions declining. This is considered earliest stage Alzheimer 's will be diagnosed, some …show more content…
The first type is a cholinesterase inhibitor, which is a drug that works “by boosting levels of a cell-to-cell communication chemical depleted in the brain by Alzheimer 's Disease.” This will just help keep the symptoms from showing for some time. Cholinesterase inhibitors will help improve memory though. A couple of examples of this type of medicine is Aricept and Exelon. The other medication that can be used is Memantine, and it “works in another brain cell communication network and slows the progression of symptoms with moderate to severe Alzheimer 's Disease and is sometimes used in combination with a cholinesterase