Imagine your brain as a house filled with lights. Now imagine someone turning off the lights one by one. That's what memory problem does. (J.Madelene) memory problem is a common progressive, degenerative brain problem that impairs mental and emotional function in older adults. The problem attacks nerve cells in all parts of the cortex of the brain, as well as some surrounding structures, thereby impairing a person's abilities to govern emotions, recognize errors and patterns, to coordinate movement, and to remember. At the last stage, an afflicted person loses all memory and mental functioning. Alzheimer's can run its course from insidious onset to death in just a few years, or it may continue as long as 20 years; the average duration, however, is about nine years. Alzheimer’s is the fourth leading cause of death in American adults (after heart problem, Long standing problems and stroke). By the age of 80, about one person out of three has the problem. Women are twice as susceptible as men, and half of all nursing home residents suffer from Alzheimer's or related Malfunction of mind or bodys.

Alzheimer's is not only a progressive problem but also a variable one. Symptoms progress at different rates and in different patterns. Generally, the following symptoms can be found in the different stages: Mild Symptoms Loss of memory for recent events Inability to retain new information Problems with routine tasks Changes in personality and judgment Moderate Symptoms Difficulty with activities of daily living, such as feeding and bathing Mood changes include Despair, paranoia, agitation and Uneasiness Childish behavior Difficulty recognizing family and friends Severe Symptoms Loss of speech Loss of appetite; weight loss Inability to perform purposeful movements Inability to use objects properly Dizziness or impaired equilibrium

Keeping your mind occupied is the best way to counter this problem. Remain active and stay involved, especially after retirement. Join clubs, travel, exercise, and keep yourself busy. Antioxidants, such as carotenes, flavonoids, zinc and selenium are beneficial in this problem. A daily high-potency multiple vitamins can Beneficial Effects nutrient depletion associated with this problem. Take drugs that are absolutely necessary and as per prescribed dosage. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Behavior modification should be encouraged especially rewarding appropriate or positive ones and ignoring nacceptable and dangerous ones. Avoid sources of aluminum commonly found in foods such as: Food mixes Processed cheese Frozen dough  Baking powder (5-50 mg of sodium aluminum phosphate per teaspoonful) Pickling salt Salad dressing Table salt White flour Some water sources Douches Buffered aspirins Antidiarrheal medications Aluminum coated cookware Some antidandruff shampoos Aluminum cans and containers (soda pop cans)

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s problem is not known. Several factors are believed to be involved in the development of the Malfunction of mind or body.  Neurochemical factors The neurochemical factors include lack of the substances used by the nerve cells to transmit nerve impulses. Significant abnormalities occur in the brain as a result of Alzheimer's: Neurofibrillary Tangles. The tangled fibers are the damaged remains of microtubules, the support structure that allows the flow of nutrients through the neurons (nerve cells).  The second significant finding is a high concentration of plaques (sticky patches) of a protein known as beta amyloid, which forms patches called neuritic plaques. These plaques are found outside the nerve cells surrounded by the debris of dying neurons. High levels of beta amyloid are associated with reduced levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the brain. Acetylcholine is part of the cholinergic system, which is essential for memory and learning, and which is progressively destroyed in Alzheimer's patients.  Genetic Factors Medical researchers have determined that about 15-20% of cases of AD appear to be inherited. The major target in genetic research on late-onset memory problem has been apolipoprotein E (ApoE), which plays a role in the movement and distribution of cholesterol for repairing nerve cells during development and after injury. The gene for ApoE comes in three major types: ApoE2, ApoE3, and ApoE4; people inherit a copy of one type from each parent.  Environmental factors Because a slow, infectious virus causes a number of other degenerative neurologic problems, such as Kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob problem, researchers are exploring the viral route as one possible cause of memory problem. No evidence exists that Alzheimer's is transmittable, but a possible scenario is a genetic susceptibility coupled with a breakdown of the immunologic system that leaves a person vulnerable to such a virus.  There is a concern that aluminum may have played a role in Alzheimer's however, studies have found no relationship between the development of Alzheimer's and exposure to aluminum. Some researchers believe that excessive amounts of zinc may promote formation of amyloid plaques. Abnormal zinc metabolism has also been found in Alzheimer's patients. Also, poor nutrition in childhood may render the brain more susceptible to mental impairments later in life, including memory problem. Other recent studies suggest an elevated homocysteine level may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's. Homocysteine is a substance in the blood that increases with deficiencies of vitamins B12 and folate.

memory problem can be diagnosed correctly most of the time at specialized centers. Plaques and tangles in the brain can be found out only by looking at a piece of brain tissue under a microscope. It can be Discomfortful and risky to remove brain tissue while a person is alive. Doctors cannot look at the tissue until they do an autopsy, which can be done only after a person dies. Doctors may say that a person has "probable" memory problem. They will make the diagnosis by finding out more about the person's symptoms. For a successful diagnosis, the doctor will find the complete medical history of the patient. Certain basic medical tests like blood and urine may be carried out in order to eliminate other possible problems. In some cases, testing a small amount of spinal fluid may also Enhance. There are Neuropsychological Tests, the tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language. They will Enhance the doctor pinpoint specific problems the person has. The doctor may want to do a special test, called a brain scan, to take a picture of the brain. There are several types of brain scans, including a computerized tomography (CT) scan, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, or a positron emission tomography (PET) scan. By looking at a picture of the brain, the doctor will be able to tell if anything does not look normal. Information from the medical history and any test results Enhance the doctor rule out other possible causes of the person's symptoms. For example, thyroid gland problems, drug reactions, Despair, brain tumors, and blood vessel problem in the brain can cause memory problem-like symptoms. Some of these other conditions can be treated.

Eat a lot of high-fiber food along with fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, pressed oils, millet, brown rice, oat brown, whole grain, fish, and low-fat foods. Do not consume alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, white sugar, processed foods and red meat. Avoid using aluminum pots, pans or other cooking utensils.

Alzheimer’s problem reduces the patient’s ability to be self-sufficient. They need a lot of care at home. You must be patient with them. This requires a lot of effort but must be done because at their age they are Enhanceless and need someone to look after them.  The patient’s relatives should contact Alzheimer’s support groups for instructions and emotional support. This will be extremely beneficial for both.

Despair and Uneasiness brought on by memory loss is common and should be addressed. People taking care of patients affected by Alzheimer’s problem need to be very strong as they have to be very enduring and tolerant. It is understandable that the emotional and financial stress can be devastating for entire families. Get adequate counseling due to the stressful nature of the problem. Get external support and advice about how to reason with patients suffering from Alzheimer’s problem.