ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Fast facts

More than 70 teams, along with many individuals, took part in Saturday’s annual Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s event that began in Youngstown State University’s Watson and Tressel Training Site. Some facts about AD:

More than 5 million people in the U.S. have this progressive, irreversible and degenerative disease. Estimates are that about 500,000 Americans 65 or younger have some type of dementia, including Alzheimer’s.

The brain’s nerve cells are attacked and connections with other neurons are severed, which usually results in short-term memory loss, diminished language and cognitive skills and behavioral changes.

Alzheimer’s disease is not part of normal aging.

Common warning signs include difficulty following directions, engaging in conversations and finishing sentences; asking the same questions shortly after receiving an answer; struggling with common tasks, including brushing teeth and getting dressed; short-term memory loss such as trouble remembering names, events and placement of objects; and marked changes in mood and personality, including increased suspiciousness, withdrawal and mood swings.

No cure has been found, though a variety of drugs are being tested to control and slow down the disease.

Research indicates that AD could be triggered by many factors such as genetic makeup, age, neuron damage, head injuries and environmental triggers.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association of America