Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

insanity and Alzheimers Disease - Essay ExampleThis brain and neuron disorder seriously affects a persons ability to conceptualize out daily activities. This condition, called Dementia, which initially affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language, is taken to be a highroad map of the progression of Alzheimers. From a medical perspective, the first signs of Alzheimers indisposition are detectable from the lifestyle of bear upon individuals. However, the simplicity of these symptoms oftenen result in them being ignored or dismissed as congenital signs of old age.One of the earliest, yet most unnoticed symptoms of Alzheimers disease is short-term memory loss. Very often, the patient role appears to have skipped memories pertaining to a generation, or a similar time span, which essentially involves the present. Very recent incidents whitethorn be forgotten, while those which happened a relatively long time ago are vividly remembered, and oft quoted. Al so, individuals and recent acquaintances whitethorn be completely forgotten, and may even be mistaken to be several(prenominal) individual the patient had acquaintance with, in the past. One hypothetical, yet practically very common, instance expense referring to is a case where a patient has no memory of his grandsons existence. On seeing the grandson, he may be mistaken to be the patients son, and the patient may even touch attempts to communicate with him in that context. notwithstanding symptoms may include problems with writing and speaking. The patient may forget simple words and make statements that dont make any sense. Familiar and routine tasks may prove difficult as time progresses. Common instruments utilise in daily life such as pens, towels, etc may appear meaningless to the patient. The patient may begin to dress inappropriately, completely forget to keep appointments and may even forget regularly employ phone numbers. This is said to be a loss of the power of Abstract Thinking (Guide to Long bound Care.com). Also, repeated and unexplained mood swings and behavioural changes, quite contrary to the normal character are ascertained in such patients.As the disease progresses in the individual there may be a marked deterioration of control over his motor neurons, resulting in loss of mobility to accountable extents. The patient may be unable to feed himself, and incontinence may set in. Once identified, the average lifespan of patients living with Alzheimers disease is approximately 7-10 years, although cases are known where reaching the final stage occurs within 4-5 years or at the other extreme they may survive up to 21 years(Wikipedia, 2007a).Diagnosis and Clinical PerspectivesGranted that the special indications of a possibility of Alzheimers disease in an individual are based on observations of the daily activities of the individual, the circumstance remains that it is primarily a clinical condition requiring diagnosis by qualified me dical practitioners. much(prenominal) a study shall be based on characteristic neuropsychological features and it must be ensured that no deferential diagnosis shall exist, considering the gravity of the possible result. Such a determination of the neurological feature shall consider the patients medical history and clinical observation, while any neuropsychological evaluation will include examen and assessment of intellectual functioning over a series of weeks or