Alzheimer's Disease, Symptoms And Treatment For Alzheimer’s Disease

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a disorder of the brain named after the German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first drew attention to the disease in 1906. Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal disease of the brain which destroys the brain cells, causing memory, thinking and behavioral problems which are so severe that they affect normal activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of memory loss.

Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. There are, however, treatments that help considerably. The actual causes of Alzheimer’s disease are also unknown.

The brain has billions of neurons that perform different functions of the brain. For some reason, some of the neurons stop functioning properly causing Alzheimer’s disease.

There are two known structures, plaques and tangles, which are also responsible for destroying and hampering the functions of the neurons. Plaques form between the neurons and contain protein fragments. Tangles occur in the dying cells. Although plaques and tangles are present in most aged people, those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease develop them in larger quantities.

Modern science has also found out that the Alzheimer’s disease affects both men and women. Most people over 65 suffer from this disease. It has also been found that the disease runs in the family. There is, however, no connection between the disease and stress.

Some notable symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:

Problems of expressing one-self by forgetting simple words
Memory loss that affects normal life activities and events
Difficulty in doing simple, familiar tasks
Forgetting simple addresses, being lost in own street
Decreased judgment of things and events
Misplacing things
Mood swings without any particular reason
Loss of interest in life

Aged people may treat these symptoms as natural ageing phenomena. However, they should not be overlooked, and it is advisable to consult a doctor if you see any of these symptoms in yourself.

Diet For Alzheimer’s Disease

People with Alzheimer’s disease tend to stay away from food. This dramatically impacts their health. The patients of this disease should formulate a well-balanced diet to replenish the body’s energy and allow the brain to perform its functions effectively. Negligence towards food can result in serious consequences.

A well-balanced diet is one that contains all the essential components that are required by the body to function properly. These include carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. A well-balanced diet should constitute 50–55%carbohydrates, 25–30%fats and 20%protein. Besides this, minerals and vitamins are also very essential for the human body. Vitamin B12 (banana, oily fish, orange) is especially beneficial for this disease. Fruits and vegetables are a very good source of minerals and vitamins. Dark colored fruits and vegetables are recommended to the patients of the disease.

Do not consume alcohol and cigarettes in excess. You also need an adequate fluid intake. Drink regular water, and other juices to nurture your body.

Submitted on March 31, 2010