Personal Essay On Alzheimer’s Disease Stages

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Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of dementia among the elderly population. It causes thousands of deaths a year. While the etiology of the disease still remains unclear, it is being proposed in some medical circles that the disease is the result of genetic and environmental factors. The disease presents itself with a progressive decline of cognitive ability, beginning with the weakness of the short term memory and ending in premature death for many cases. With all these perspectives in mind, I intend to research the known developmental stages of the disease.

As an old student in the medical sector in my country, I have observed many cases in that two-year-period, and I have always been disturbed at the mental problems that the elderly face within our population. While old people revealing memory losses at first seemed funny to me, it was no longer funny seeing them developing mental conditions that forced them into complete dependence for the basic functionalities of life, and I gained a strong interest in finding out why the condition is as it is. I had a fear of knowing that any of my parents and older relatives could experience the same conditions. In fact, my grandfather had this illness, so I have developed an interest in knowing the signs of the development of Alzheimer’s disease and its connection with dementia among elderly people.

By a process of observation, I wish to know how it affects the people who love the individuals suffering from the disease, both psychologically and physically. As such, my research involves the elaboration of the various effects of the disease, such as on the caregivers to the elderly as well as on the elderly themselves being able to tell what they are going through and how to remedy the conditions. After establishing how important the topic is to my understanding of this medical condition, the research would also be beneficial to a number of other individuals who may have similar thoughts to mine on the disease. The research would be beneficial to all the people living with elderly individuals since they need to know how to act if and when their loved ones have the symptoms of the disease.

It would also be helpful to the individuals in the aged group for which the condition is most common (over 60 years) and people approaching the age of 60 years. To them, it would be advantageous to know if they are having symptoms of the disease, how to cope with it from the beginning, and if there is anything they can do to prevent the disease and help them be less dependent on caregivers or liable to experience an early death. From the perspective of many doctors and researchers, the disease can be broken down into seven main stages, which shall be discussed below. However, Dr. Barry Reisberg’s perspective of the progress of the disease has been widely accepted in the medical world and constitutes the theory adopted by most healthcare service providers as well as the Alzheimer’s Association.

The first stage is referred to as the no impairment stage, in which the patient has no signs of memory impairments or evidence of dementia. At this stage, the condition cannot be medically detected, and the patient is unaware of its presence. The second stage is termed as a very mild decline, where there are minor manifestations of memory loss in the patient, for instance misplacing things in the house and not being able to trace them. This stage is also difficult to associate with Alzheimer’s because these minor memory lapses are similar to those related to normal old age. If given a memory test, the individual may display negative results as a result of the presence of the disease.

In my opinion, this stage is found in my generation, and no one denies its existence in their young brothers or even themselves. The third stage is the mild decline phase, where the persons close to the patient may be able to notice the problems with memory and cognitive abilities, and the physicians are able to detect the impairment in cognitive functions by administering a test. At this stage, the patient may be unable to find the right words to use in a conversation, forget the names of new people they have just met, and have problems with planning and organization of things. It may go together with the frequent loss of personal items and possessions.

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Alzheimer’s disease encompasses a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions, primarily affecting the elderly group, and is considered a major cause of dementia worldwide. Its complex etiology involves both genetic predispositions and environmental influences, yet the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Understanding the developmental stages of Alzheimer’s is crucial not only for medical professionals but also for caregivers, patients, and society at large, as it facilitates early detection, appropriate intervention, and effective management strategies.

The initial stage of Alzheimer’s is known as the “no impairment” stage, where individuals exhibit no observable symptoms or detectable cognitive decline. In this phase, the disease is biologically present but not detectable through standard clinical assessments, and individuals are typically unaware of any issues. This stage underscores the importance of early markers and biomarkers for the disease, which researchers continue to investigate, with the aim of identifying preclinical indicators that could prompt preventive measures (Reisberg et al., 1982).

The second stage involves very mild cognitive decline, often characterized by minor memory lapses such as misplacing objects or forgetting the location of familiar items. While these symptoms are common in normal aging, their persistence and frequency may distinguish early pathological changes. Although patients may not recognize these lapses themselves, loved ones often notice the subtle signs. Diagnostic tests can sometimes detect impairments during this stage, providing an opportunity for early intervention (Jack et al., 2013).

The third stage, mild decline, is marked by more noticeable memory deficits and cognitive difficulties. Individuals may struggle to recall recent events, have trouble finding the right words during conversations, and show decreased ability in planning and organization. These symptoms often prompt concerns from close family members and can be confirmed through neuropsychological testing. Early diagnosis at this stage is pivotal for planning long-term care and implementing therapeutic strategies aimed at slowing disease progression (Reisberg et al., 1982).

Progressing beyond mild decline, patients enter moderate and severe stages, characterized by increasing dependence, behavioral changes, and loss of autonomy. The disease affects multiple brain regions, leading to impairments in reasoning, behavior, and personality. Caregivers bear significant emotional and physical burdens, often experiencing stress, burnout, and depression. The societal and economic impacts are profound, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems for caregivers as well as patients (Brodaty & Donkin, 2009).

Understanding these stages has practical implications for early detection, intervention, and planning of care strategies. For example, lifestyle modifications, cognitive training, and pharmacological treatments may be more effective when initiated early in the disease course. Public health initiatives focusing on education about risk factors, symptoms, and preventive measures can significantly impact disease prevalence and burden (Livingston et al., 2017).

Preventive strategies also include addressing modifiable risk factors such as cardiovascular health, physical activity, diet, and cognitive engagement. The role of education and community awareness is vital in reducing stigma and ensuring that individuals seek medical advice at the earliest signs of cognitive decline. Additionally, ongoing research into biomarkers, genetics, and neuroimaging continues to improve understanding and management of Alzheimer’s disease, fostering hope for more effective treatments and potential cures in the future (De Strooper & Karran, 2016).

In conclusion, Alzheimer’s disease progresses through several defined stages, each with distinct clinical features and implications for care. Early detection and intervention can significantly improve quality of life and extend independence for affected individuals. Multi-disciplinary efforts involving medical research, caregiver support, and public health education are essential to combat this growing global challenge, ultimately aiming to mitigate its impact on individuals, families, and society.

References

• Brodaty, H., & Donkin, M. (2009). Family caregivers of people with dementia. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 11(2), 217–228.
• De Strooper, B., & Karran, E. (2016). The Cellular Phase of Alzheimer’s Disease. Cell, 164(4), 603–615.
• Jack, C. R., et al. (2013). The role of biomarkers in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 9(1), 58–64.
• Livingston, G., et al. (2017). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446.
• Reisberg, B., et al. (1982). The global deterioration scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 139(9), 1136–1139.