Research is ongoing and weekly headlines outline new theories and discoveries but the cause for Alzheimer's disease has not been defined. There is no permanent cure and very little besides the standard rule to eat well, exercise, and strive to stay mentally active are given as preventative measures.
What has been established however, is the pattern of decline in cognitive and physical abilities. Although the progression is different for each individual, seven years is the average life expectancy after diagnosis. Alzheimer's disease has four defined stages.
More about the Four Phases of Alzheimer’s
Predementia is the first definable stage. The difficulty to remember recently learned information is probably the most noticeable display of failing brain function. A variety of small struggles with planning, abstract ideas and attentiveness can be witnessed in the course of daily living during this early stage of the disease.
The inability to remember the meaning of words and understanding the relationship between concepts are also symptoms of predementia. It is in this stage that apathy is first seen in patients.
Early dementia is when the patient's impairment meets the clinical definitions and measurements of Alzheimer's disease. Individuals can still take care of most tasks by themselves, but do need help with activities involving decision making. Memory issues and difficulty executing a series of movements become more apparent in this stage.
Language skills begin to suffer as the patient's vocabulary gets smaller but can still communicate basic thoughts. It is not understood when and what memory areas the disease will effect, since Alzheimer’s disease does not impact all areas of the brain equally in a predictable manner.
More on the Phases of Alzheimer’s
The name “moderate dementia” is misleading as it is in this phase that an individual's independence is lost. Speech, reading, writing and gross motor skills deteriorate progressively. The patient may no longer recognize family or friends and long term memory begins to fade.
Behavioral and mental disorders that must be dealt with include: uncontrolled laughing or crying, sudden aggressive outbursts, wandering, and sundowners syndrome. Extensive caregiving is required.
Advanced dementia is the final and heartbreaking stage of Alzheimer's disease. Bedridden, and eventually completely without speech, patients can sometimes only communicate through emotional signaling. Apathy and extreme fatigue usually replace the aggressive behaviors displayed previously.
Patients literally wither away and most often expire from some other medical condition. Alzheimer's disease is very seldom the sole cause of death itself.
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References:
National Institutes of Health
About.com Health
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