Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is a slowly progressive, degenerative disorder of the brain that eventually results in abnormal brain function and death. The disease was first described in 1907 by a German physician, Dr. Alois Alzheimer(1864-1915). In the neurological autopsy on the brain of a 56-year-old woman Auguste D., of Frankfurt, who died after several years of progressive mental deterioration marked by increasing confusion and memory loss. Taking advantage of a then-new staining technique, he noticed an odd disorganization of the nerve cells in her cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for reasoning and memory. The cells were bunched up like a rope tied in knots. He termed the strange nerve bundles neurofibrillary tangles. He also noted an unexpected accumulation of cellular debris around the affected nerves, which he termed senile plaques. In a medical journal article published in 1905, Alzheimer speculated that the nerve tangles and plaques were responsible for the women's dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a disorder marked by a gradual decline in brain function that gets worse with time. It used to be assumed that this change was a normal part of aging that we called senility. Some people develop this
Alzheimer's disease usually comprises of three stages. The first being the onset stage. The symptoms of the onset stage often appear very gradually. There may be some minimum memory loss, particularly of recent events. The individual may experience difficulty in finding the right words to use during casual conversations. Work performance may begin to deteriorate and changes in behavior may start to become obvious. These changes may last for a period of up to five years(Campbell). Treatments for Alzheimer's disease have been in wide demand in the last 50 years. The latest in finding a cure has led to the treatment of leprosy and arthritis. The treatment of both leprosy and arthritis involves large doses of medications known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDS). These drugs include such common, over-the-counter medications as aspirin, ibuprofen(Motrin, Advil), and naproxen(Naprosyn), but not acetaminophen(Tylenol). With women being at a greater risk for contacting Alzheimer's disease, the use of estrogen after menopause has lowered the risk. Estrogen boosts the production of acetylcholine, a key chemical neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of nerve impulses across the tiny gaps between nerve cells(synapses). In addition, estrogen improves blood flow through the brain and enhances verbal abilities of postmenopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy. The second stage, the progressive stage contain the same symptoms noted in the onset stage but are now more obvious. There may be distinct problems with language abilities(aphasia), which is typically the most obvious sign of movement towards this stage. Persons affected may have difficulty naming objects(agnosia), or with maintaining a logical conversation. They may also have difficulty understanding directions or instructions. They often become easily disoriented with regards to what day it is, where they are, and who they are with. Confusion and the resulting frustration are often evident. Memory losses become even more pronounced. They may also begin to experience loss of self-care skills(apraxia), including the ability to use the toilet. Severe changes in personality may begin to become obvious, and their social behavior may be marked by suspiciousness(paranoia) and delusions. These ch
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1554
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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