Alzheimer
disease is commonly called AD or Senile Dementia, which is a progressive
degenerative disease. This disease causes memory loss, language deterioration,
impaired visuospatial skills, decision-making ability, judgment, and
attention. The rate of progression varies to each person, if the disease
develops rapidly it is mostly likely to continue to progress rapidly.
Same as if the disease begins slowly it is mostly likely to continue
to progress slowly. The cause of Alzheimer is not known at present time,
but we know that it is not a part of the aging process. (A.D.A.M.)
The myth about being around aluminum, lead, mercury, or any other substances
in the brain has been disproved. Doctors can prove that people have
had the disease by examining their brain after death. The brain tissue
would look like neurofibrillary tangles, which are proteins that are
twisted inside of a neuron cell, which clog it up, or neuritic plaques,
which is dying or dead nerve cells in an abnormal cluster. Another thing
that is noticed in the brain after death is senile plaques, which are
dying nerve cells surround a protein. This is possible to happen in
the brains of people without the disease, but more common in people
who suffer from it. (A.D.A.M.)
When neurons die that leads to a decrease in neurotransmitters. The
brain needs a certain amount to neurotransmitters working in the brain.
The common three neurotransmitters affected by the brain is the acetylcholine,
serotonin, and norepinephrine. (A.D.A.M.) By the neurotransmitters not
working correctly it will cause chemical and structural problems within
the brain. Alzheimer appears to disconnect parts of the brain that are
supposed to work together. It is found that the disease affects certain
blood vessels that supply the brain with blood.
Alzheimer disease affects a high percentile at the age of 65 or above.
It is a rare occurrence if it develops in a person below 65 years of
age. The average length of time it takes the disease to kill is about
six or eight years. People who develop the disease later are more likely
to die from another illness, such as heart disease, before the Alzheimer
reaches its fatal stage. (Alzheimer: Facts)
There are some lifestyle changes you can make in your life to prevent
the disease, but it is not proven to completely protect your from developing
it later in life. If you exercise it will make your body stronger and
you will be able to fight off disease better. By avoiding cigarette
smoke and drinking alcohol you are able lower your risk. Stay away from
aluminum, mercury, environmental toxins, and processed foods.
There have been autopsies that have been done on people with Alzheimer
and have had high levels of aluminum in their brain. It has shown that
there has been a lot of aluminum in the section of the brain that deals
with memory. Aluminum can be found in cookware, antacids, antidiarrheal
preparations, buffered aspirin, and aluminum covered containers, such
as juices that are acidic, deodorants, douches, and some shampoos. (Healing
with nutrition)
As for now there is no way of determining who is going to develop the
disease yet. You can be tested to see if you have any of the cells of
Alzheimer or not. There are many different ways you can try to prevent
yourself from developing it. There is a new vaccine out on the market
right now, but is still being tested, which is not recommended that
you take along with the pills that are out.
References
"Alzheimer."
A.D.A.M. Online. 2002. Health Article A.D.A.M. 30 October 2002.
http://health.yahoo.com
"Facts
about Alzheimer." Cyber-North. Online. 2002. Alzheimer: Facts,
Prevention, and Lifestyles. 30 October 2002.
http://www.cyber-north.com
"Lifestyle
Changes." Alzheimer's Self-Management Program. Online. 2002. Healing
with Nutrition. 30 October 2002.
<http://www.healingwithnutrition.com>