Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's; GA 3.13
Topic Started: Aug 9 2008, 10:59 AM (127 Views)
Carter	Aug 9 2008, 10:59 AM Post #1
O'Malley Forever Posts: 5,374 Group: Admin Member #1 Joined: August 2, 2008 Favorite Character George O'Malley Favorite Couple Callie & Arizona	WISHIN' AND HOPIN' Episode 313 Air date 02/01/07 It's hard to blog about Alzheimer's. The disease is so far reaching, affecting those suffering with it and their families in equal measure. It would be as valid to write exclusively about its effects on caregivers as its causes or the research being done to prevent or cure it or advice about coping and living with it. So, what I will do is give the admittedly simplistic Alzheimer's tour and provide a link to get more information. Ellis suffers from early-onset Alzheimer's, a rare manifestation of this disease. It's called early-onset when symptoms present before the patient is sixty-five. There is clear evidence of a strong genetic component in this particular type of Alzheimer's so it is also called familial Alzheimer's. There is a fifty percent chance that Meredith inherited the gene from Ellis and will someday show symptoms of the disease. The Alzheimer's Association describes the disease as "a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer's progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations." There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease but there are treatments that ease the symptoms. As scientists better understand brain chemistry and biology we come closer and closer to finding a cure. While Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, there are several others. In Alzheimer's, disease occurs due to a loss of nerve cells in the areas of the brain vital to memory and other mental functions. It's associated with the development of clumps and tangles of proteins or plaques in the brain. It is not reversible. Dementia can also be caused by infections (meningitis), strokes (Vascular Dementia), Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, abnormal build up of brain fluid, chronic alcoholism, vitamin deficiencies, metabolic disorders, medication reactions, emotional problems, to name a few. Because each of these forms of dementia are treated differently -- and several are reversible (like medication reactions and vitamin deficiencies) - it is important for those exhibiting Alzheimer's-like symptoms to get a full evaluation and find a team of doctors that they trust. Alzheimer's patients have good days and bad days. No one knows what makes a day good or bad. In this episode, Ellis is having an extraordinary day. It would be rare for an Alzheimer's patient in a stage as advanced as Ellis's disease is to be so cognitively available and aware of her history with the people around her for as long as Ellis is in the episode. That being said, this episode does capture the hopelessness and sense of loss that caregivers and loved ones of those afflicted with Alzheimer's feel. And in diseases of the brain there are no hard and fast rules. Many patients and families benefit from participating in clinical trials. The trials give the Alzheimer's patient additional attention and increased physician supervision. They have found that attention increases the good days an Alzheimer's patient has. There are networks and support groups for caregivers who often experience depression and hopelessness. Seeking help for the caregivers is as important as treating the Alzheimer's patient. For more information about Alzheimer's disease please go to: http://www.alzheimersassociation.com Credit: Sara (mcobsessed)



laura	Apr 2 2009, 10:46 PM Post #2
Posts: 794 Group: Moderators Member #96 Joined: August 13, 2008	I have nursed many a patient with alzheimers and its a horrible disease. realy heartbreaking, some patients suffer with it worse than others naturally. I find it really difficult to deal with sometimes. My Grandad had dementia, a similar kind of alheimers so thats difficult. nut its not that bad at the moment.



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