subject: Early Detection Of Alzheimers Can Benefit Patients [print this page] Alzheimers disease is the second most feared disease, behind cancer, according to a recent survey of five countries conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health. Alzheimers disease is a common form of dementia affecting the elderly, and is fast becoming a worrying disease among the public. It is inevitably fatal and its progress is horrifying. It is a degenerative disease which takes away the last years that the affected has with their loved ones, and is a cruel disease, as it takes away precious memories and benefits of having family and friends present in old age. There is no set cure for Alzheimers, however there are drugs that can be used to reduce the rapid decline from early dementia to moderate and finally to advanced dementia.
Studies have shown that the early stages of Alzheimers disease is long and progressive, and provides a window of opportunity to potentially change the course of the disease. Disease modifying therapies for Alzheimers is thought to be more effective if given well before people show any symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to be wary of the symptoms of Alzheimers and to be concerned if you or your elderly loved ones start showing signs of memory loss. It is important to note that just because one has memory loss, that this does not equate Alzheimers so many other reasons can use memory loss such as stress, depression and heavy drinking. In addition, side effects of certain drugs, emotional changes, poor sight or hearing can also cause confusion, which might be mistaken for memory loss.
Early diagnosis of Alzheimers will allow treatable conditions to be eliminated that may have symptoms similar to dementia. Therefore it is important to go visit a doctor so that these reasons can be excluded. The sooner you are assessed, the sooner you will be able to find out whether you have the disease or not. Diagnosis of Alzheimers can be a lengthy process; therefore you should not delay this. The latter symptoms of Alzheimers are horrifying, therefore early diagnosis means that you will be able to plan your life and future more effectively, as well as find advice, information and support required.
Early diagnosis of Alzheimers disease is very important because there is growing evidence that the disease process may start years before actual dementia occurs. Current drugs that are approved for Alzheimers can only be used to treat dementia, and not prevent it. However, if you are able to diagnose Alzheimers early, before significant memory problems arise, then there is the opportunity for potential new treatment approaches that could ultimately alter the underlying disease process and could maybe even slow or halt the progression of the disease.
