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alzheimer_s_dementia [2019.07.13 09:21] – [Mild cognitive impairment: Dementia lite?] Steve Isenbergalzheimer_s_dementia [2023.01.29 13:38] (current) – Steve Isenberg
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 =====Alzheimer's and Dementia===== =====Alzheimer's and Dementia=====
 A collection of information.  This is not definitive and detailed, consult elsewhere for this info; and this is not something you should rely upon for diagnosis or treatment. A collection of information.  This is not definitive and detailed, consult elsewhere for this info; and this is not something you should rely upon for diagnosis or treatment.
  
-Information here from //Alzheimer's & Dementia for Dummies// ISBN 978=1-119-18773-8 (much material is taken from and verbatim from this book) available on Amazon [[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BHBW9JA]], Lexington Cary Memorial Library, and likely elsewhere.+Information here comes from //Alzheimer's & Dementia for Dummies// (much material is taken from and verbatim from this book) available on Amazon, Lexington Cary Memorial Library, and likely elsewhere; and from a Mayo Clinic website.\\    
 +Mayo Clinic also has information about [[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-treatments/art-20047780|Treatments, what's on the horizon]]\\  
 +//See bibliography below for more info.//
  
 ====What dementia is==== ====What dementia is====
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 ====Four types of dementia==== ====Four types of dementia====
-===Alzheimer's disease===+===[1] Alzheimer's disease===
 Most common form of dementia, in USA, 62-80% of cases.\\ Most common form of dementia, in USA, 62-80% of cases.\\
 Is 5th leading cause of death in Americans >65  Is 5th leading cause of death in Americans >65 
  
-===Vascular dementia===+===[2] Vascular dementia===
 Second most common, in USA, 10% of cases.\\ Second most common, in USA, 10% of cases.\\
 Previously known as //multi-infarct// or //post-stroke dementia//, resulting from stroke.\\ Previously known as //multi-infarct// or //post-stroke dementia//, resulting from stroke.\\
 Similar symptoms to AD but depend on parts of the brain affected by stroke. Similar symptoms to AD but depend on parts of the brain affected by stroke.
  
-===Lewy body disease===+===[3] Lewy body disease===
 Rare, <4% of cases.\\ Rare, <4% of cases.\\
 Lewy bodies are protein deposits that damage brain cells, these also found in those with Parkinson's disease, thus an overlap in symptoms between these two conditions.\\ Lewy bodies are protein deposits that damage brain cells, these also found in those with Parkinson's disease, thus an overlap in symptoms between these two conditions.\\
 Symptoms similar to AD, but sufferers also develop muscle stiffness, tremors, and shakiness in their limbs, and slower movement.  Also frequent visual hallucinations, seeing animals or people that aren't there. Symptoms similar to AD, but sufferers also develop muscle stiffness, tremors, and shakiness in their limbs, and slower movement.  Also frequent visual hallucinations, seeing animals or people that aren't there.
 +
 +===[4] Frontotemporal dementia===
 +Least common of these, affects about 50,000 in US and is <2% of dementia cases.  This type is most likely of these 4 types to be diagnosed in those under 65.\\
 +Shares many features of AD but also has symptoms: strange or sexually disinhibited behavior, lack of empathy, poor personal hygiene, apathy and loss of motivation, increased appetite for sweet or fatty foods, and repetitive and compulsive speech and actions.
  
 ====Mild cognitive impairment: Dementia lite?==== ====Mild cognitive impairment: Dementia lite?====
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 It might help to address risk factors for poor circulation by: control blood pressure, eat low-carb and high-fiber diet, quit smoking, limited alcohol, and getting regular exercise.\\ It might help to address risk factors for poor circulation by: control blood pressure, eat low-carb and high-fiber diet, quit smoking, limited alcohol, and getting regular exercise.\\
 Evidence suggests that keeping the brain mentally active can help: word and number puzzles, reading, maintaining stimulating hobbies, social activities.\\ Evidence suggests that keeping the brain mentally active can help: word and number puzzles, reading, maintaining stimulating hobbies, social activities.\\
-Consider reading //Staying Sharp for Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, 2016)// which discusses this evidence in detail.+Consider reading //Staying Sharp for Dummies// which discusses this evidence in detail. 
 + 
 +=====Identifying Early Warning Signs===== 
 +Top ten most important early symptoms to look out for.  It's more than just being forgetful; to be diagnosed, someone must show at least 2 if not more of these 10, which can be subtle to start with. 
 +  - Memory problems that affect daily life (important dates and events, route taken on well-traveled journeys, where you've left important paperwork, names and faces of friends, neighbors, and work colleagues) 
 +  - Difficulty with planning and problem solving (become confused using debit/credit card, lose track of what their bank or credit card statement shows, have difficulty paying bills or paying taxes, become confused while trying to put gas in the car) 
 +  - Problems finding the right word (finding right word becomes elusive, substituting something similar eg football becomes //kick ball//, wristwatch becomes //hand clock//; difficulty following thread of conversations) 
 +  - Confusion about time and place 
 +  - Poor judgement (spending money on things not needed, using inappropriate dress like wear coat to beach or shopping in rain wearing just t-shirt and sandals) 
 +  - Visuospatial difficulties (clumsiness, loss of ability to judge widths and distances resulting in falls and breaks, auto accidents) 
 +  - Misplacing things (losing ability to retrace steps to find things) 
 +  - Changes in mood (rapid switching between extremes of sadness, fear, anger) 
 +  - Loss of initiative 
 +  - Personality change (eg reserved person becomes flirty and uninhibited; extrovert may become withdrawn and reclusive.  Common changes include becoming: confused, suspicious, withdrawn, angry, sexually uninhibited) 
 + 
 +====Mayo Clinic - Symptoms List==== 
 +//This information extracted from //[[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447|Mayo Clinic website]] //on 1/29/2023; consult their site for the most recent information.// 
 + 
 +===Memory=== 
 +People with Alzheimer's may: 
 +  *     Repeat statements and questions over and over 
 +  *     Forget conversations, appointments or events, and not remember them later 
 +  *     Routinely misplace possessions, often putting them in illogical locations 
 +  *     Get lost in familiar places 
 +  *     Eventually forget the names of family members and everyday objects 
 +  *     Have trouble finding the right words to identify objects, express thoughts or take part in conversations 
 + 
 +===Thinking and Reasoning=== 
 +Alzheimer's disease causes difficulty concentrating and thinking, especially about abstract concepts such as numbers. 
 + 
 +Multitasking is especially difficult, and it may be challenging to manage finances, balance checkbooks and pay bills on time. Eventually, a person with Alzheimer's may be unable to recognize and deal with numbers. 
 + 
 +===Making judgments and decisions=== 
 + 
 +Alzheimer's causes a decline in the ability to make reasonable decisions and judgments in everyday situations. For example, a person may make poor or uncharacteristic choices in social interactions or wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather. It may be more difficult to respond effectively to everyday problems, such as food burning on the stove or unexpected driving situations. 
 + 
 +===Planning and performing familiar tasks=== 
 + 
 +Once-routine activities that require sequential steps, such as planning and cooking a meal or playing a favorite game, become a struggle as the disease progresses. Eventually, people with advanced Alzheimer's often forget how to perform basic tasks such as dressing and bathing. 
 + 
 +===Changes in personality and behavior=== 
 + 
 +Brain changes that occur in Alzheimer's disease can affect moods and behaviors. Problems may include the following: 
 +  *     Depression 
 +  *     Apathy 
 +  *     Social withdrawal 
 +  *     Mood swings 
 +  *     Distrust in others 
 +  *     Irritability and aggressiveness 
 +  *     Changes in sleeping habits 
 +  *     Wandering 
 +  *     Loss of inhibitions 
 +  *     Delusions, such as believing something has been stolen 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 + 
 +=====Bibliography===== 
 +Books referenced herein and other useful materials.  Available on Amazon, but also in libraries and other bookstores. 
 + 
 +  * //Alzheimer's & Dementia for Dummies//\\ ISBN 978-1-119-18773-8 available in Amazon [[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BHBW9JA]] and elsewhere and in libraries 
 +  * //Staying Sharp for Dummies//\\ available in Amazon [[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DON7O6W]].  You may need your own copy as the book has puzzles; reviews are not altogether positive, see Amazon 
 +  * [[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447|Mayo Clinic website]] 
 +  * [[https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-treatments/art-20047780|Mayo Clinic - Treatments]]
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