Alzheimer’s Disease
Despite scientist’s massive efforts to find prevention for Alzheimer’s, many people are still affected with this debilitating disease. Doctor Alois Alzheimer, a German doctor, first described this disease in 1906. Doctor Alzheimer was treating a fifty-one year old woman who had trouble remembering things. She could not think clearly, and became less and less able to function. The doctor diagnosed dementia, a brain disorder. When his patient died, Doctor Alzheimer looked at her brain and found that many cells had been destroyed and was also filled with tangled threads. The same damage has been found in the brains of other Alzheimer’s victims studied after their deaths (Alzheimer’s Disease 10 4). This disease is becoming an epidemic in this country (Harold L. Hamilton 22 6). Alzheimer’s is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss, language deterioration, impaired visuospatial skills, poor judgment, indifferent attitude, but preserved motor function (www.ninds.nih.gov.health 11). It is a degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain. It is an abnormal accumulation of plaques and by neurofibrillary tangles (malformed ner
There are some clients with Alzheimer’s disease who experience depression and may be treated with fluvoxamine (Luvox), sertraline (Zoloft), desipramine (Norpramin), maprotiline (Ludiomil), or trazodone (Desyrel). You should not use antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Levate), because of their antecholinergic effect (Medical Surgical Nursing 119 8). Some researchers are also looking at other treatments to help prevent memory loss in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Vitamin E and the hormone estrogen for women in mid-life have both been shown to improve people’s memory. The herb ginkgo biloba, in one study showed to improve people’s thinking slightly (Alzheimer’s Disease 37 4). Dementia, Alzheimer’s type, or presenile dementia, Alzheimer’s (Medical Surgical Nursing 912 8). The brain of the older adult weights less and occupies less space in the cranial vault than does the brain of a younger person. Other changes in the brain that occur with aging include widening of the cerebral sulci, narrowing of the gyri, and enlargement of the ventricles. In Alzheimer’s disease, these normal changes are greatly accelerated (Medical Surgical Nursing 913 8). Alzheimer’s disease usually begins after the age of 65. Its onset may occur as early as age forty. First appearing as memory decline (www.ninds.nih.gov. 11). Alzheimer’s disease is also twice as common in women than in men (www.ncbi 10). jr 3 impairment w
Some topics in this essay:
Surgical Nursing,
Alzheimer’s Disease,
Harold Hamilton,
Doctor Alzheimer,
Stages AD,
Columbia Encyclopedia,
alzheimer’s disease,
Disease Despite,
medical surgical nursing,
medical surgical,
surgical nursing,
Medical Surgical,
Alzheimer German,
Dementia Alzheimer’s,
memory loss,
dementia alzheimer’s,
stage stage,
ad 2,
nursing 914 8,
wwwnindsnihgov 11,
119 8,
surgical nursing 914,
improve people’s,
surgical nursing 919,
dementia alzheimer’s type,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 1077
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
More Essays on Alzheimer’s Disease Professional Papers: |
CUSTOMER SERVICES
|
|
Saved Papers
You haven't saved any papers.
|