Posts Tagged Alzheimer’s Disease

The number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States is growing rapidly. So, too, are the number of myths surrounding the disease and other forms of dementia. Let’s begin by looking at what we do know about the prevalence of Alzheimer’s before investigating some of the more common myths. Approximately 5.5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease. Of these, some 5.3 million are 65 years of age or older. In addition: One in 10 people 65 and over has Alzheimer’s disease Nearly two out of three Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women African-Americans are approximately twice as likely as older Caucasians to have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older Caucasians As the population grows older, the number of new cases of Alzheimer’s disease is expected to soar Today,

Last time, we looked at the causes and symptoms of dementia. Now, let’s take a closer look at Alzheimer’s disease. The causes and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease stems from a protein, called beta-amyloid, building up in the brain between nerve cells to from what are known as plaques. There is another protein, called tau, that accumulates in the brain and forms what are called tangles. This results in the neurons of the brain shrinking, and eventually, dying. As with Lewy body dementia, scientists do not know precisely what causes the initial onset of the protein build ups that lead to Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may include: Short-term memory problems, and eventually, loss of long-term memory Confusion Impaired judgment Repeating the same questions and statements Getting lost, even in familiar surroundings Personality changes Changes in sleep patterns, such as sleeping during the day and being awake