What is Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's Disease describes significant memory loss and damage to intellectual abilities serious enough to affect daily living.

Contrary to popular belief Alzheimer's is not the only cause of memory loss, but does represent the majority of dementia cases. Also, the severity of brain function loss is not a result of the normal aging process, but a disease that deteriorates natural processes.

Within the brain of a person with Alzheimer's, medical professionals find plaques and tangles inhibiting the nerve cell functioning. The cells lose the ability to operate and communicate effectively and eventually die. This process shrinks the size of the operational brain matter and increases the size of fluid deposits in-between.

Alzheimer's Disease is progressive and often starts well before showing any visible symptoms in the individual. The first few stages of the disease progression reflect only minor losses of memory or association. As the disease progresses, even the simplest tasks can become a challenge.

There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease, but healthy living, medications, and therapy can help to delay and manage symptoms. Ongoing research for treatments and cures continues around the world.

Individuals are being encouraged to begin checking for early warning signs of Alzheimer's as early as their 30's. Certain genes have been isolated that may indicate a strong chance of developing this or other related dementia.