(also referred to as ...)
AD
Description
This ailment was first identified in 1907 by Alois Alzheimer, a German neurologist. Alzheimer's is a mentally debilitating disease that progressively interferes with one's ability to function individually and socially.
Alzheimer's is characterized by a high death rate of brain cells and the buildup of intercellular plaque. Plaque and other "tangles" in the cell's fibres prevent nutrients from entering the cell. This starves individual cells, interferes with brain-cell communication and affects thought, reasoning, and recall processes. The overall process tends to occur in nerve fibres surrounding the hippocampus -- the brain's memory centre. As a result, new memories cannot be formed and early memories cannot be retrieved. This plaque builds up and damages nerve cells in other areas of the brain as well.
It is believed that Alzheimer's is the primary cause of dementia or severe age-related mental deterioration. It is also thought that the processes leading to this disease occur over a ten to twenty period, making prevention and/or early detection a viable strategy.
The probability of having Alzheimer's increases with age (see Causes, below). The National Institute on Aging (NIA) estimates that up to half of all people over 85 have symptoms related to this disease.
Alzheimer's disease is also a social problem. Health and home care costs are on the rise and this economic trend is coupled with the demographic reality of an aging population. In addition, the results of Alzheimer's affect both the individual and their family. It is a difficult disease for all it touches.
Symptoms and Signs:
Forgetfulness is the main symptom of Alzheimer's. Short-term memory recall is in varying degrees of decline. One tends not to remember the contents of a magazine article just read, the person they last spoke to, a phone number they were given, the weather they just saw on the news, et cetera.
Other symptoms include emotional withdrawal, combativeness and paranoia. These symptoms may be defense mechanisms as those with the disease try to deal with their increasing confusion and lack of rational context to base decisions upon.
Additional symptoms include depression, mood swings, and personality changes.
Causes:
Alzheimer's may be a natural part of the aging process. Over time, all systems in our body lose their capacity to function optimally. Compromised mental function, though not desirable, may be inevitable.
It is also believed that if the brain is not kept active or receives required nutrients, deterioration can result. The brain, like our muscles, needs to be "flexed" and exercised to be kept in shape. Keeping the brain active promotes neural pathway activity and various other processes. And without proper nutrition, our body cannot function properly in general.
Other causes include brain damage from stroke or inflammation, arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), low estrogen levels in menopausal women, genetic factors, and compounding drug interactions.
The exact cause of Alzheimer's has yet to be determined. Several theories prevail, however.
Those with Alzheimer's tend to have low levels of vitamin B12 and zinc. B vitamins are necessary for proper neural function, while a zinc deficiency can lead to plaque development in the brain. Malabsorption problems increase as we age, making adequate nutritional intake challenging.
A lack of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C, and E, in the body can lead to excessive oxidation and subsequent damage to bodily tissues, including the brain.
The Aluminum Connection While not conclusive, an extensive array of studies have linked excess aluminum absorption and increased susceptibility to Alzheimer's. Aluminum is found primarily in the earth's crust and permeates the air, water, and soil. As a result, we absorb aluminum via the food and water we take in daily. This element can be eliminated from the body by the kidneys and, in its natural form, does not easily pass through the blood-brain barrier. However, when combined with other elements, aluminum compounds can cross the barrier and become deposited in elemental form typically on the top of the brain. It is not flushed or otherwise removed from the body and will remain in this location, potentially disrupting mental functions. For more information on avoidance and exposure reduction methods, see Remedies -- Aluminum Exposure Reduction, below.
What to Expect:
Short-term memory can become extremely compromised over time. It can become increasingly difficult to retain acute information. The danger in this situation lies in the inability to retain critical information such as place of residence, home telephone number, personal name, or essential travel routes. Safety situations commonly include forgetting to turn off the stove, letting the kettle boil dry, leaving the iron on, letting the bath tub overflow, et cetera. Such situations can pose personal hazards as well as hazards to those living in and around the place of residence.
It is not recommended that those experiencing Alzheimer's be left alone over the long-term for the above reasons.
Long-term memory, however, often remains unaffected. Individuals who cannot recall their actions from five minutes past vividly remember where they worked and lived in their younger years as well as key events that have occurred over their lifetime.
