Alzheimer’s is a disease that is well known by many to take the lives of our loved ones. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and that number is projected to rise, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. The National Institute of Health states that Alzheimer’s is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. This type of dementia effects the learning part of the brain. It eventually deteriorates the ability to perform the simplest tasks. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases are found in women, African-Americans being twice as likely as Caucasians to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias and Hispanics being one half times as likely as Caucasians.

Although there is currently no specific known cause for Alzheimer’s, there are symptoms that can help you have a better idea of when to seek help. The most common early symptom is difficulty remembering newly learned information. Because of the effect that this disease has on the brain, learning new things is the first thing that will start to become affected. As it advances, symptoms can include disorientation, mood and behavior changes, deepening confusion about events, unfounded suspicions about family and friends, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking. Many online questionnaires are available for free to be able to check your memory and determine if you should seek treatment from your primary care physician.

Unique to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, there are many Americans that provide unpaid care for people with the disease because of the impact and severity that it is. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1 in 3 older adults around the age of 65 will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Along with this, earlier diagnoses and intervention methods are improving with drastically more research being performed in the area. Some of the research being done is looking at the role of plaque and tangles in the brain that could be a cause for Alzheimer’s. There are no treatments known to cure Alzheimer’s, but there are drug and non-drug options to help with symptoms such as behavior and mood. With the push in research and the many clinical trials happening, it is promising that we will be getting closer to understanding more about this disease and find treatments available to help improve the quality of life for people suffering from this deadly disease.