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Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease

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Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurologic illness that causes the brain to deteriorate

and brain cells to die. It is the most prevalent form of dementia, characterized as a gradual

deterioration of cognitive, mental, and social abilities that impairs a person's capacity to operate

independently. In the cerebral cortex and subcortical gray material, beta-amyloid proteins and

neurofibrillary tangles characterize it. The diagnosis is made clinically, with laboratory and

imaging tests used to essence on specific observations that suggest Alzheimer's disease and

identify other treatable causes of dementia (Eratne,2018). The treatment is beneficial.

Cholinesterase inhibitors can momentarily increase cognitive efficiency.

As the disease progresses, memory loss will lead to changes in personality and attitude,

failure to speak correctly, and finally, the need for full-time treatment. It is frustrating to witness

a friend or family member have Alzheimer's Disease (AD). It affects nearly 5.8 million people in

the United States aged 65 and above. Eighty percent of them are 75 years and older. It is

estimated to affect 60 percent to 70 percent of the nearly 50 million people worldwide who have

dementia (Eratne,2018). Because of this worrying rate, further study into the disease is needed.

Clinical trials enable physicians to discover the prevalent causes and symptoms of Alzheimer's

disease and try new treatment tactics.

Alzheimer's disease is an illness whose precise origins are unknown. However, at a

fundamental stage, brain proteins malfunction, disrupting brain cells' role (neurons) and causing

a cascade of harmful events. Neurons get impaired, lose their connections, and ultimately die.

The brain tissue in Alzheimer's disease has fewer nerve cells and connections, and small deposits

called plaques and tangles form on the nerve tissue. It is presumed to be induced by a

combination of hereditary, behavioral, and environmental causes that impact the brain with time
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in most cases. It is triggered by particular genetic variations that ensure an individual will

experience the disease in less than 1% of cases. The damage typically starts in the brain's

memory-controlling area, but the progression can begin years before the first symptoms occur.

The depletion of neurons extends to other parts of the brain in a very predictable manner. By the

advanced stage of the disease, the brain has declined drastically.

The most prevalent initial sign of Alzheimer's disease is having challenges in

remembering what was leant recently because its changes usually start in the part of the brain

that disrupts learning. More severe signs occur as the disease advances through the brain, such as

disorientation, attitude, and behavioral changes; growing anxiety about activities, time, and

place; unfounded beliefs about relatives, friends, and skilled caregivers; more and severe

cognitive failure; and difficulty in communicating, swallowing, and moving (Choudhury, 2019).

A mild cognitive disorder can be diagnosed in some individuals. People with Alzheimer's disease

suffer more memory loss and other neurological problems as the illness advances.

Alzheimer's illness is divided into four stages: preclinical, mild, moderate, and severe.

People in the mild stage may appear well, but they are having increasing difficulties in making

sense of the environment surrounding them. The realization that something is not correct always

comes gradually to the individual and his or her family. The moderate stage necessitates more

intense observation and treatment, which can be daunting for many partners and families. More

significant memory loss and confusion, failure to understand new information, and language

difficulties are possible symptoms. People with severe Alzheimer's disease cannot speak and are

entirely reliant on others to care for them. As the body stops working near the end, the person

can spend much or all of their time in bed. Inability to talk, skin infections, difficulties in
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swallowing, excessive sleep, weight loss, seizures, and loss of bladder and bowel control are all

common symptoms in this stage.

Medications can improve or delay the progression of symptoms temporarily. These

therapies may also help people with Alzheimer's disease retain their independence and improve

their work. Alzheimer's syndrome has no cure or therapy that can alter the disease mechanism in

the brain. Different services and programs can help sustain individuals with the illness and their

caretakers. Cholinesterase inhibitors are medications that are used to treat Alzheimer's symptoms

which range from mild to moderate. This drug may help with the management of some

behavioral problems and the relief of some symptoms (Hampe, 2018.) The medications used

include Razadyne, Exelon, and Aricept. Namenda, an N-methyl D-aspartate antagonist, is used

to treat moderate to severe symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This treatment's main use is to

reduce effects, which could help certain patients perform those everyday activities for a little

longer than they can without it.

People with Alzheimer's may not start interaction as much during the advanced stages.

However, they can still benefit from communication in relevant ways, like listening to calm

music or obtaining encouragement through soft touch. During this stage, caregivers may want to

consider using health programs such as hospice care, which focuses on bringing warmth and

integrity at the end of life. People with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and their

relatives can benefit greatly from hospice care.

In a nutshell, one practical long-term approach of dealing with Alzheimer's disease is to

become more knowledgeable about it. Programs that educate families about the stages of this

disease and how to cope with challenging habits and other caregiving issues may be beneficial.

Caregivers will also benefit from good coping skills, a supportive social network, and respite
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care to help them cope with the burden of caring for a loved one with the disease. Staying

physically healthy, for example, has both emotional and physical advantages.
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References

Choudhury, S., & Vellapandian, C. (2019). Alzheimer's Disease Pathophysiology and its

Implications. Research J. Pharm. and Tech, 12(4), 2045-2048.

Eratne, D., Loi, S. M., Farrand, S., Kelso, W., Velakoulis, D., & Looi, J. C. (2018). Alzheimer's

disease: clinical update on epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis. Australasian

Psychiatry, 26(4), 347-357.

Hampel, H., Mesulam, M. M., Cuello, A. C., Farlow, M. R., Giacobini, E., Grossberg, G. T., ...

& Khachaturian, Z. S. (2018). The cholinergic system in the pathophysiology and

treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Brain, 141(7), 1917-1933.