Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative malady that is one of the most common forms of dementia. Most often, this illness develops in the elderly population, although there are cases of diagnosis in earlier age periods. The reasons for the manifestation of Alzheimer’s disease have not been established yet, and no useful drugs for its treatment have been created. Symptomatic therapy for the illness can mitigate its development; however, it is impossible to stop the progression of an incurable malady.
Aspects of the Disease
First of all, short-term memory suffers, while most of the long-term memories preserve. Older adults’ complaints on forgetfulness and applying for the same information several times are quite typical for the age-related features of brain functioning, as well as for the first stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The illness significantly increases the risk of forgetfulness, it becomes difficult for people to handle new information and remember not only the location of familiar things but also the names of relatives, their age, and fundamental knowledge.
The symptom of the early stage of the disease is apathy. Interest in usual forms of pastime decreases, and it is harder for the elderly to practice their favorite hobbies, go out for a walk, and meet with acquaintances. Apathy affects the loss of hygienic skills: patients stop brushing their teeth, washing, changing their clothes.
Current Data and Statistics
Alzheimer’s disease ranks sixth in the list of the most common causes of death in the United States (Wu et al., 2017). Over the past several decades, the Department of Health and some independent research organizations have wasted large sums of money on the search for effective methods of treatment, but all efforts were in vain. Wu et al. (2017) note that the number of patients with this ailment will have increased to more than 74 million people by 2030 (p. 328). It means that if any emergency measures are not taken urgently, there is a risk of the global defeat of the population.
Health Disparities
The development of Alzheimer’s disease depends on several factors: age, heredity, and general health. This illness is often compared with another ailment that is similar in symptomatology. It is about vascular dementia when the blood circulation in the brain tissues is disturbed. Nevertheless, this illness and Alzheimer’s disease differ. If vascular dementia occurs, cognitive impairments can remain stable for a long time, and then there is another leap in deterioration. As Jack et al. (2013) remark, Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by permanent and inevitable progress.
Prevention Strategies
According to Norton, Matthews, Barnes, Yaffe, and Brayne (2014), effective treatment of pathophysiological mechanisms helps reduce the development of the disease and lower the mortality rate of patients. Medication therapy allows influencing the fundamental factors of the illness and preventing its key symptoms. However, prescribing appropriate medications is possible when a physician takes into account the indications of each person in particular. Psychosocial therapy complements medical treatment. According to Wu et al. (2017), it allows patients at the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease to adapt to the malady. Working with memories, communicating, and performing intellectual tasks stimulate the brain to work and positively influence a patient’s psychoemotional state. Such work is possible both individually with each person and in groups.
Research and Clinical Studies
Recent brain studies have allowed scientists to assume that Alzheimer’s disease begins to develop on average since the age of twenty. Previously, researchers believed that the illness started to form fifteen years before the emergence of its first symptoms. Jack et al. (2013) claim that the period of the development of the disease is several decades. Besides, some scientists suppose that the emergence of the illness may be caused by the people’s place of residence and the conditions of their work. Nevertheless, no substantial evidence of this assumption has been presented yet.
Analysis of the Pathophysiologic Effects of Stress
In the course of numerous studies, a link between acute and chronic stress and many health problems including problems with the functioning of the brain was found. According to Norton et al. (2014), stress probably triggers the mechanism of the emergence of dementia’s initial symptoms. It can cause a degenerative process in the brain and provoke the development of the malady. Of course, it is necessary to conduct additional studies regularly to study these mechanisms in detail.
Evidence-Based Stress Management Interventions
As a possible way to reduce stressful situations, it is possible to use psychological training with experienced specialists. Wu et al. (2017) claim that group and individual sessions have a positive effect on the stabilization of the health status and help to reduce the manifestations of the disease for some time. Also, quite an effective method is the communication of people with similar symptoms. Patients, sharing their problems, gain new experience, and learn to resist various manifestations of stress.
Conclusion
Despite regular studies, Alzheimer’s disease is still an incurable illness. Scientists are regularly trying to find possible factors of the development of this malady and are looking for ways to reduce its impact on the human brain. As possible methods of treatment, the prevention of stressful situations, and stimulation of patients’ memory deserve attention.
References
Jack, C. R., Knopman, D. S., Jagust, W. J., Petersen, R. C., Weiner, M. W., Aisen, P. S. … Trojanowski, J. Q. (2013). Tracking pathophysiological processes in Alzheimer’s disease: An updated hypothetical model of dynamic biomarkers. The Lancet Neurology, 12(2), 207-216.
Norton, S., Matthews, S., Barnes, D. E., Yaffe, K., & Brayne, C. (2014). Potential for primary prevention of Alzheimer’s disease: An analysis of population-based data. The Lancet Neurology, 13(8), 788-794.
Wu, Y. T., Beiser, A. S., Breteler, M. M. B., Fratiglioni, L., Helmer. C., Hendrie, H. C. … Brayne, C. (2017). The changing prevalence and incidence of dementia over time – current evidence. Nature Reviews Neurology, 13, 327-339.