Facts on Alzheimer's
 What
is Alzheimer’s Disease? The term Alzheimer's disease
refers to a condition discovered by a doctor called Alois Alzheimer.
In 1907, he wrote in medical textbooks about a woman of 51 who had
died of dementia, whose brain he had examined under the microscope. |
 Memory
Loss and Alzheimer's. Memory loss occurs in all cases
of Alzheimer’s, but in the early stages it can be difficult
to detect as people manage to cover it up well. The most recent memories
are the first to go, and it's only much later as the Alzheimer’s
condition has become much more severe does the past memory become
affected. |
 Alzheimer’s
Signs and Symptoms. Disorientation (or not knowing who
or where you are or what day month etc it is), is very common in Alzheimer’s
disease. It's also noted as one of the defining early symptoms, and
as it is very closed connected with a person's memory or the ability
to remember, it's not surprising. |
 Alzheimer’s
Psychosocial Effects. One of the most distressing aspects
of Alzheimer’s disease is the complete change of personality
many people suffer. The personality and general behaviour of Alzheimer
suffers in the later stages often seems to be in complete contrast
to the usual behaviour they have always exhibited in their previous
life. |
 Alzheimer’s
Long Term Outcome. The slow degradation due to Alzheimer's
disease also causes patients to suffer long term outcomes. Medication
is most effective when treatement starts early and therefore it is
essential to recognize Alzheimer’s disease as early as possible. |
 Alzheimer’s
and Sexual Behaviour. Inappropriate sexual behaviour
in a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease can cause problems
on occasion. As the Alzheimer’s disease progresses and the sufferer
becomes more disabled, sexual activity usually declines naturally. |
 Improving
Sleep for Alzheimer’s Patients. The sleep needs
of an Alzheimer’s disease sufferer may not change, but what
often happens is their cycle becomes reversed. In other words, they
may want to sleep all day and be wide awake at night. |
 Alzheimer’s
Food Preference. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease often run into eating problems and in severe cases this may
even border on malnutrition. There are a number of reasons why Alzheimer’s
disease patients are very fussy about food texture and have very pronounced
preference (if at all) for certain foods. |
