What is Alzheimer’s Disease and How it Manifests?
Alzheimer’s disease, the main type of dementia which is discussed primarily in this article, most often affects people over 65 years. Basically it is a serious disorder, progressive in nature, the functioning of the brain with impaired memory, thought process, speech and behavior. Its causes are not well known yet, although we know that there are significant chemical and structural changes in the brains of people who have it. These changes affecting the ability to process, store and retrieve information.
The clinical manifestations of the disease are highly variable and change as the condition progresses. At first common mood swings and personality. Later, there is a disturbance of recent memory, and trouble finding the words you want. These changes may be subtle and unconsciously adapted the family can contribute to this deterioration in delayed recognition. Finally, affect other functional capabilities and problems arise, for example, driving a car, carry their own financial accounts, hygiene and meals, etc..Displayed a gradual deterioration of language, disorientation in time and space, impaired ability to judge and difficulty recognizing even the members of his family. They often appear as a paranoia also psychiatric symptoms, psychomotor agitation, irritability, frustration, anxiety, insomnia, inappropriate social behavior, hallucinations, etc..
Mild cognitive impairment
Cognitive impairment is located between the normal forgetfulness or physiological memory that occur with age and dementia. In this situation the patient, their family or doctor detect memory complaints, the patient maintained normal daily activity (autonomy, ability to live alone), but difficulties arise for complex daily activities, there is an objective memory impairment, although global cognitive function is normal and dementia is ruled by the various clinical trials.
It is known that patients with the mild cognitive impairment develop dementia at a rate of 10% to 15% per year, so these patients should keep a close medical supervision.
credit to: Dr. Salvador Pertusa MartÃnez