Model Shows How Mutation Tips Biochemistry To Cause Alzheimer’s - “Cellular processes, like all the routines of life, are unfathomably complex, constantly evolving, and are sometimes dramatically sensitive to the smallest of changes. Consider the case of Alzheimer’s disease… ” (more)
Alzheimer’s Arrives Early In Life For Many - “A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating at any age but doctors said there are more people being diagnosed at an earlier age…” (more)
Alzheimer’s Disease Brings Burdens to Patients and Their Families - “Every 71 seconds someone in this country develops Alzheimer’s, a progressive and fatal disease that destroys brain cells. As the population of the state and country ages, the number of Alzheimer’s patients is increasing. Emotional and financial burdens to families are enormous…” (more)
It was thought that the Celebrex, an arthritis drug and Aleve, an over-the-counter painkiller might help prevent Alzheimer’s disease or at least slow mental decline in older people. But new studies show that taking these medications provides no benefit on a person’s thinking skills.
In fact, government experiments with these two drugs wsa stopped back in 2004 because of other studies indicating that both Celebrex and Aleve increased heart risks.
However, the data collected from the government experiments did provide information about how the drugs acted on the memory and thinking. These findings will appear in July’s Archives of Neurology.
Depression can overwhelm both caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients during the course of this illness. Often doctors will check to see whether depression is causing the forgetfulness and other symptoms typical of Alzheimer’s patients. Also, depression can cause symptoms to be more pronounced.
Caregivers also have to watch that they don’t become discouraged by the situation so should seek help when they feel they are falling into a “black hole” of depression. Those who have never cared for an Alzheimer’s patient, even your family members, may not understand the traumatic experience you’re going through. Find professionals or other caregivers who can help you get through this time in your life.
Also find those who can help you help the Alzheimer’s patient.
I don’t recall going through depression while caring for my aunt and mother. However, I often felt overwhelmed with all I had to do and often asked, “Why me?” (and my husband) when the caregiving was left to us.
What strategies have you used to keep from being overcome by discouragement and depression? How have you helped your Alzheimer’s family member or patient?
Share some ideas with us because I know there are caregivers who are reaching out for someone who understands so they can realize, “I’m not alone!“
Happy Mother’s Day from us at Alzheimer’s Notes to all the moms, grandmothers, and those who play a mom role in someone’s life. I hope you had a lovely day.
I didn’t get a chance to write a lengthy Mother’s Day post because I was visiting a family member in the hospital. (Her continuing recovery has been a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for me.)
Not your grandmother’s Alzheimer’s - “Carol Kirsch relished her demanding position as a sales trainer for Kaiser Permanente in Oakland. But a couple of years ago, a good friend told Kirsch she just wasn’t performing up to par. She was missing deadlines. And she’d forget meetings, so co-workers would have to come fetch her…” (more)
Flavonoids May Help Treat Alzheimer’s -”Flavonoids, compounds found in many fruits and vegetables, may be able to battle the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests…” (more)
Genetic Mapping More Hype Than Help? - “Julian Awad doesn’t look sick - and he isn’t … yet. But he has always worried that the Alzheimer’s Disease that brought down his grandfather and uncle might be lurking in his genes too…” (more)
”Is all forgetfulness lumped under the term “Alzheimer’s?” a friend asked me today when talking about her mother-in-law who is beginning to be forgetful.We do seem to hear the term more and more, wheras a decade ago, Alzheimer’s was rather “hush hush,” and families didn’t like to admit a loved one was suffering from ths condition.
Her question set me thinking and I realized that I hear “Alzheimer’s” more frequently now than previously. Is this because:
People are more willing to talk about Alzheimer’s than they once were.
People are willing to admit a family member may have this illness.
There may be more assistance if someone is formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
It’s easier for families to lump memory loss conditions under Alzheimer’s rather than trying to explain some other memory problem.
However, medically speaking, all forgetfulness isn’t Alzheimer’s. There are many causes for someone to experience memory loss.
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