Alzheimer 's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is not a new disease. “Alzheimer’s” was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive disorder involving neural degeneration in the cortex that slowly destroys the memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out activities of daily living (Karch, 2013). In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60, and accounts for 60% to 80% of all cases of dementia. The prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a real challenge due to its rising prevalence and the lack of an effective care (Otaegui-Arrazola, Amiano, Elbusto, Urdaneta, & Martinez-Lage, 2014). This disorder …show more content…
The diagnosis is done based on the clinical findings; however it is difficult to predict that if a person with mild impairment will progress to Alzheimer’s disease. The confirmation of the diagnosis can be done only by the microscopic examination of the tissue obtained from a cerebral biopsy or at autopsy. The diagnostic procedures for Alzheimer’s disease involve multiple steps, and a Differential Diagnosis in Alzheimer Algorithm has been developed (Grossman & Porth, 2014). The presence of dementia established by clinical examination and documented by the results of a Mini-Mental State Examination, Blessed Dementia Test, or similar mental status test; no disturbance in consciousness; onset between 40 and 90 years of age, most often after 65 years of age; and absence of systemic or brain disorders that could account for the memory or cognitive deficits all provides a baseline for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (Grossman & Porth, 2014). The presence of other brain disease is assessed by brain imaging, CT scan or MRI. Metabolic screening should be done for known reversible causes of dementia such as vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and electrolyte imbalance (Grossman & Porth, 2014). After a thorough physical examination, history collection, neurological assessments, mental status tests, and by verifying results of laboratory tests and radiographic tests, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is formulated for the patient,
Alzheimer’s disease is not a new disease. “Alzheimer’s” was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906. Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive disorder involving neural degeneration in the cortex that slowly destroys the memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out activities of daily living (Karch, 2013). In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear in their mid-60, and accounts for 60% to 80% of all cases of dementia. The prevention of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become a real challenge due to its rising prevalence and the lack of an effective care (Otaegui-Arrazola, Amiano, Elbusto, Urdaneta, & Martinez-Lage, 2014). This disorder …show more content…
The diagnosis is done based on the clinical findings; however it is difficult to predict that if a person with mild impairment will progress to Alzheimer’s disease. The confirmation of the diagnosis can be done only by the microscopic examination of the tissue obtained from a cerebral biopsy or at autopsy. The diagnostic procedures for Alzheimer’s disease involve multiple steps, and a Differential Diagnosis in Alzheimer Algorithm has been developed (Grossman & Porth, 2014). The presence of dementia established by clinical examination and documented by the results of a Mini-Mental State Examination, Blessed Dementia Test, or similar mental status test; no disturbance in consciousness; onset between 40 and 90 years of age, most often after 65 years of age; and absence of systemic or brain disorders that could account for the memory or cognitive deficits all provides a baseline for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (Grossman & Porth, 2014). The presence of other brain disease is assessed by brain imaging, CT scan or MRI. Metabolic screening should be done for known reversible causes of dementia such as vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and electrolyte imbalance (Grossman & Porth, 2014). After a thorough physical examination, history collection, neurological assessments, mental status tests, and by verifying results of laboratory tests and radiographic tests, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is formulated for the patient,