Alzheimer Awareness Month Recognized

Holzer would like to recognize November as National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. National Alzheimer’s disease Awareness Month began its observation in 1983. At that time, fewer than 2 million Americans had Alzheimer’s. Today, the number of individuals with the disease is approximately 5.4 million.

Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, even though it primarily affects people 65 years and older. Short term or new memory is affected first. Normal aging does have some mild decrease in memory also, but Alzheimer’s is much worse and is progressive. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases.

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and decreased intellectual abilities. There are other forms of dementia, not associated with Alzheimer’s, but they are much less common.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the top ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s include: memory loss that disrupts daily life, challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks either at work, home or leisure, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things or losing the ability to retrace steps, decreased or poor judgment, withdrawal from work or social activities, and/or changes in mood or personality.

The basic problem is irreversible loss of brain cells. Under the microscope, plaques and tangles appear in the brain. The plaques are deposits of an abnormal protein between brain cells, while tangles are twisted fibers of a different protein inside the cells. Both lead to blocking communications between nerve cells, and even to the death of individual cells. The how and why of the process is not clearly understood.

There are some medicines that help with symptom management. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. Ongoing research continues to assist the individuals and families that face this disease on a daily basis. Early recognition and treatment does help delay the disease. Anyone with symptoms may benefit from a neurologist’s evaluation and treatment.

Holzer offers Neurology services at our locations in Gallipolis and Proctorville, Ohio. Dr. Amanda McConnell, Neurologist, is Board Certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology & Psychiatry. For more information or to make an appointment, call 1-855-4-HOLZER. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association has a 24 hour, 7 day a week helpline at 1-800-272-3900. A variety of educational materials is available for caregivers, those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and medical professionals at www.alz.org.