subject: Alzheimer's Research: Helping Millions [print this page] Today, everyone is familiar with Alzheimer's disease and its rapid growth throughout America. More people are diagnosed with the disease every day and many of us have a relative or friend that has been diagnosed with the disease. Alzheimer's is an extremely difficult disease because it affects not just the afflicted family member but all those who care for the sufferer as well. At this point there is no cure for the debilitating disease.
Many doctors and scientists have dedicated much of their time and energy to Alzheimer's research. People across the country are working 24/7 to discover a cure for Alzheimer's. Since the disease affects so many, it is a top priority for the medical research community.
To many people, the disease doesn't present itself as a major deal, since most people diagnosed with the disease are over 60 years old. Those that engage in this type of rationale are obviously unaware that the Alzheimer's disease afflicts those in their 40's and 50's as well. This means that some people are spending a good half of their lives suffering from this terrible disease. Along with them, go the family members and loved one's who care for them.
Those people who do not know anyone suffering from Alzheimer's disease will find it difficult to imagine how very hard the disease is on family members of the afflicted. Alzheimer's attacks the brain. Those who suffer from the disease have a tough time remembering things and find it difficult to live in the present.
We have seen dramatizations of this disease portrayed in many television shows. Grey's Anatomy for example shows two of its main characters fighting to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Through the many different cases they show of patients suffering from Alzheimer's, we can start to get an idea of how difficult this disease can be for both the patient, and the family members.
Television can give us some insight as to what it may be like to contract Alzheimer's disease, or be the loved one of the sufferer, but without actually being one of the people involved, it is impossible to understand the depth of the agony that the disease causes so many. It is difficult to put ourselves in the place of someone who is losing their mind to the extent that they do not recognize their own child. From another angle, it is equally difficult to comprehend the distress of the child whose parent no longer knows him.
There are millions of families across the United States who do know the suffering and know it first hand. They also are aware that it is not just an old person's disease; it can strike younger family members as well, meaning that the caregiver has a very long siege ahead of them as well as the patient they love so much. This is one of the reasons why Alzheimer's disease research has such a high priority.
With adequate funding, it is possible that the scientists and doctors working with such dedication in the many laboratories across the country can discover that elusive cure. If one day you find yourself with some extra cash, don't head for the Starbucks around the corner for that amaretto cappuccino, put it an extremely good use, put it towards the important research for the cure for Alzheimer's disease. Every little contribution to the cause will help the researchers come up with some answers to help the patients who are currently suffering from this debilitating disease and help future generations avoid it altogether.
