Alzheimer's disease is a topic surrounded by different myths. Recent research indicates that the number of people living with Alzheimer's in the United States is 6.5 million. It is a disorder that starts mild and becomes more severe as time passes.
What is Alzheimer's Disease All About?
Alzheimer's disease is denoted by a protein build-up around and in the brain cells. This implies an inevitable and gradual reduction in mental functioning. The proteins form plaques around the brain and tangles within brain cells.
The study of risk factors for this disease is a rapidly developing area of research. There are many explorations, so there is always something to reveal. A curious student may write an essay about Alzheimer's disease for their thesis or personal research. When students have to write an essay, they can find a free sample online. An in-depth analysis of research paper examples on Alzheimer's disease can provide valuable insight into recent discoveries and advances in the field for college students who are writing essays on the topic. Free paper examples make up a template for a well-written assignment.
Decreased cognitive functioning means the disease negatively influences comprehension, reasoning, memory, etc. It gradually impairs different brain parts. It is a progressive disorder that begins with symptoms such as:
- Forgetting events
- Misplacing items
- Forgetting and repeating discussions
- Having difficulties expressing thoughts in words
- Forgetting names of familiar objects, people, and places
The impairment of brain cells also leads to behavioral symptoms like depression, aggression, social isolation, loss of inhibition, delusions, mood swings, and changes in sleep patterns.
At first, the symptoms of it appear to be insignificant or just normal. As people go through the stages of Alzheimer's disease, they experience more noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, people with such an illness need help with regular activities like dressing and eating.
Why Should You Study The Alzheimer's Disease?
Especially for young students, studying the causes and risk factors of Alzheimer's disease seems unnecessary. Still, it is important to know about the underlying causes for these reasons:
Risk Reduction
Knowing about the causes is the first step to reducing the chance of being ill. Understanding Alzheimer's disease risk factors is the only way to know how to avoid it.
Wider Knowledge
Studying the disorder's possibilities widens your scope of knowledge. There are several essays on the topic to aid research. You could also lay your hands on a research paper example to guide you in writing your essay.
Better Treatment of Patients
When you know about the main causes of Alzheimer's disease, you tend to know how to treat people living with it. Understanding the disorder's factors enhances your empathy for people affected by it.
Main Causes and Risk Factors of Alzheimer's
There is no scientifically proven cause of Alzheimer's disease. The lack of a particular cause is why potential risks are highlighted in the research. However, risk factors and circumstances increase the chance of getting Alzheimer's.
The risk factors include:
Age
It is the greatest risk factor for developing Alzheimer's. A great number of people living with it are 65 and older. Once an individual attains age 65, the tendency doubles every five years. The possibility of the disorder becomes about one-third from age 85. While aging is a risk factor, it does not cause the illness. It’s necessary to understand that a disorder is not a part of aging. So, considering it a regular aging process is a mistake.
Genetics
Everyone has two gene categories: risk and deterministic genes. Risk genes increase the probability of acquiring a disease, while deterministic genes are responsible for having a disease. Through genetic testing for Alzheimer's, scientists have discovered its genes in both gene categories.
People who have close relatives (siblings, parents, etc.) with Alzheimer's are in the risk group to have the disorder. Similarly, having more than one family member with Alzheimer's increases the chances of having it.
Down Syndrome
For people with Down syndrome, they have genes that give them higher chances of developing Alzheimer's. People with Down syndrome have three replicas of chromosome 21, increasing beta-amyloid production. Elements of beta-amyloid can become plaques in the brain. People struggling with this syndrome usually have Alzheimer's.
Typically, people with Down syndrome show symptoms between 45 and 55. They get to the severe stages of Alzheimer's 10 to 20 years earlier than people without the syndrome.
Sex
Women are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease compared to men. The higher tendency is simply because studies indicate that women generally live longer than men.
Reducing The Risk of Developing Alzheimer's
While the above-mentioned factors are not controllable, other things can be controlled. Even though it isn't preventable or curable, paying attention to these factors is essential to reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer's.
- Alcohol consumption: Overall, excessive alcohol consumption causes brain changes. Since it is dementia, excessive alcohol consumption causes the disease.
- General lifestyle: Research has proven that factors related to heart illness also increase the chances. Such lifestyles include high cholesterol, lack of exercise, exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and unmanaged type II Diabetes.
Closing Thoughts on the Causes and Risk Factors of the Disease
A clear understanding of the risk factors answers the question, 'Why is Alzheimer's increasing?' Age and genetics are the most critical elements for developing it. Yet, those determinants don't guarantee that it will grow. For instance, the higher chance of Alzheimer's by age only means aged people are vulnerable, not that they would surely have it.
Similarly, a genetic marker for Alzheimer's does not, in any way, imply the certainty of the disease. Risk factors are just chances that individuals will develop them. They are not specific predictions. Furthermore, the controllable factors should be improved to reduce the possibility. There are cases when people cannot improve some due to underlying health issues. The best option in such cases is to consult a doctor.