Introduction
Alzheimer’s ailment is one of the mental illnesses that can cause the death of a human being if not well diagnosed. The ailment was discovered by a physician known as Alois Alzheimer in 1906. During Alzheimer’s research, changes of brain tissue were noticed in about fifty-year-old female patient who passed away due to mental complications (Alzheimer’s, 2015). Before the death of the patient, she expressed various symptoms such as loss of memory, unpredictable behavior and had a language challenge. Doctor Alois Alzheimer made a public announcement about the disease to create awareness to the uninformed individuals. When Alzheimer’s ailment was revealed, many scientists came up to help research for possible treatment and cure. In this perspective, the essay provides discussion behavioral as well as psychological symptoms of Alzheimer.
In the current world, various advances have been made to assist in handling Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, there was the gradual development that took place since the discovery of the ailment. In 1931, the scientists invented the electron microscope that facilitated more research of the brain tissues. The microscope could magnify the cells up to one million times the normal size. The scientists have had an adequate opportunity to conduct their research in more detailed manner. In 1968, the experts invented a cognitive measurement scale that could assess the functionality drop in old adults’ brains. Therefore, the researchers could perform a correlation in the level of the measured impairment with an estimate in the number of brain lesions as well as the volume of the spoiled tissue.
A responsible association was founded in 1974 to aid support of the Alzheimer’s research. One of the most known national federal agency that gave maximum support to the research team was the National Institute of Health. The research yielded various results as neurologist Robert Katzman was able to identify Alzheimer’s disease as the main form of dementia and as a key public health problem. Alzheimer’s association was founded in 1980 to work with the National Institute on Aging and explore the need for a national federal effort on the ailment. In this perspective, an Alzheimer’s disease month was declared to assist in promoting awareness in 1983. The first drug that was tried on the Alzheimer’s disease symptoms was tacrine and was launched in 1987. Remarkable progress on the disease has been made in the early 21st century. However, there is no current cure for the disease, and the research continues hoping to achieve the required remedy.
Before considering the symptoms of the Alzheimer’s ailment, it is essential to highlight the changes that occur in the brain during the first signs of memory loss. The brain is made up of more than 100 billion neurons. The nerve cells create a connection that forms a platform for communication networks. In this perspective, the nerve cells have different functions such as learning, giving a sense of remembrance, allowing proper thinking and assisting individuals in seeing, hearing as well as smell. The brain operation is facilitated by the nerve cells, which work together to generate energy, receive supplies and process information. The coordination of these neurons requires large amounts of oxygen. The Alzheimer’s disease hinders some parts of the nerve cell connection from functioning properly. Nonetheless, the source of this malfunctioning is unknown. The damage to the brains causes a problem in the entire system because the impairment spreads and prevents the cells from performing their usual purposes, leading to irreversible alterations in the brain performance. Precisely, the structures that are suspected to cause damages of the nerve cells are tangles and plagues. Tangles are described as twisted fibers of the protein known as tau, which concentrates on the cells. On the other hand, plagues are fragments of proteins called beta-amyloid, which are deposited between the spaces of nerve cells. The development of these structures takes place during the aging process of human beings. In Alzheimer’s ailment victims, the structures develop much faster. The role played by the tangles and plagues structures in Alzheimer’s victim's bodies is blocking the communication among the nerve cells. The structures are also responsible for interfering with the processes required for the nerve cells’ survival. Thus, the destruction of the nerve cells reveals the numerous symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Agitation
An individual with Alzheimer’s disease may become restless, anxious or easily upset while dealing with specific issues. Verbal and physical outbursts are also a sign that indicates that an Alzheimer’s patient is agitated (Theofilas et al., 2017). The victim moves around from one place to another and gets fixated on particular details. The agitation symptoms are triggered by fatigue, fear or being sensitive to overwhelming situations. Certain circumstances may make an individual more agitated than others such as relocating to a nursing home-based environment especially for the aged. Distinct medical conditions, as well as medical interactions, contribute to increasing the anxiety condition of Alzheimer’s patients. The symptoms interfere with the thinking ability of the human brain. Individuals with this form of dementia experience the loss of ability to give the required information, and thus agitation is viewed as a direct cause of the ailment.
Other situations that may lead to an escalated level of agitation include hospitalization, changes in nursing care arrangements and misperceived pressures. Nevertheless, the agitation symptom can be prevented via various ways. Creation of a calm environment is an essential preventive measure of agitation in Alzheimer’s ill patients. The peaceful environment is achieved when the possible stressors are eradicated, and security is assured. All the environmental triggers such as noise and other background distraction should be eliminated. Individual comfort should be monitored to check the presence of any pain, infections, fatigues, skin irritation, and provision of exercise opportunity should be provided to ensure a conducive environment is created.
Psychosis
An individual with this symptom has sensory experiences of the things that do not actually exist. In particular, the psychosis is described by an impairment affiliation with reality. Hallucinations are one of the characteristics of psychosis symptom where individual experiences or sees things that are not present due to the absence of an actual stimulus. Extraordinary thoughts known as delusions affect the functionary of the normal thoughts that should occur because an individual instead experiences the thoughts that are contrary to the actual evidence. Thus, the victims are less motivated and are forced to withdraw from group discussions. The symptoms can be recognized through various ways. For example, individuals with psychosis sign have difficulties in concentrating. Their mood is depressed, and they sleep for numerous hours without satisfaction. Disorganized speech is another sign where the victims switch the topics of discussion erratically.
Psychosis symptom is triggered by brain diseases such as Huntington’s ailment as well as chromosomal disorders. However, the symptom is an indication that an individual has Alzheimer’s disease. The genes accelerate the development of the sign. People might develop psychosis disorder if a family member had once suffered from the same ailment. Those children who are born with genetic mutation are more likely to develop the disorder. Excessive stress, for instance, the death of a family member may activate psychosis disorder. Alcohol and other illegal drugs such as methamphetamine can also elicit the disorder due to the damage to the brains. Consequently, it is challenging for the individuals experiencing psychosis to take care of themselves thus the need for proper nursing care.
Depression
Individuals with Alzheimer’s experience depression as a common symptom of the disease. The depression in Alzheimer’s patients can be identified through the behavior and the reactions of patients in certain situations (Fauth " Gibbons, 2014). Victims who are depressed have a sad feeling, are restless, and have trouble in making as well as remembering decisions. The depression increased when individuals realize that their memory and capability to function is getting inferior. Depression symptom is viewed as a psychological condition because it affects the mental and emotional health of human beings. The condition lasts for a long period and thus influence individual’s’ life, making it challenging to cope with. Depressed people lose a lot of energy, and their appetite routine is altered. The symptom is unpredictable as it comes and goes even after being diagnosed.
Extreme damage of Alzheimer’s disease leads to intensification the depression level. During the middle stage of the ailment, apathy symptoms are prominent as the depression signs emerge (Theofilas et al., 2017). Moreover, suicidal ideation and failure to experience pleasure are early signs of depression. In the late stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals are unable to articulate the meaning of the depression signs as the ailment initiates the disruption of behaviors such as medical care resistance. Dementia syndrome of depression is famous because it affects the brain by supporting reduced mental performance as well as forgetfulness that suggest the presence of Alzheimer’s disease.
The use of legal techniques can manage the depression condition. For instance, the aged individuals can apply the behavioral psychotherapy to manage the level of depression at the early stages. The strategy assists in coping with mild cognitive decline. Nevertheless, the method is unsuitable for individuals who have a complete loss of the ability to comprehend given information. The longtime planning that is facilitated by the therapists assist the patients in considering the financial management and ethical decision making during treatment. The suitable management approaches that are implemented during the late stage of Alzheimer’s disease include planning of pleasant events and utilization of distraction or redirection. Participating in group activities and exercises are also techniques of improving the understanding of Alzheimer’s victims in the late stages to eradicate depression.
Apathy
Apathy is another highly recognized symptom of the Alzheimer’s ailment. The patients who have increased level of dementia are regarded to have an escalated apathy. Individuals with an apathy condition lack interest in different aspects such as emotional, physical, spiritual and philosophical concerns in life. Thus, apathy is the loss of motivation or persistence while dealing with various activities. The symptom is provoked by the damage to the brain that is responsible for making reasonable judgments, planning events, and initiating particular insights. Most people especially the aged may fail to understand what is happening in their body system because of brain function distortion, thus resulting in the development of apathy. Patients expressing this form of symptom contribute to the distress of the family due to the failure of the patients to take part in useful events in the society.
Responding to apathy conditions involves undergoing specific procedures that would boost the patients’ interest in participating in different activities within the community. The most fundamental method that would motivate Alzheimer’s patients in eradicating the symptom is making them feel valued and productive. Well-trained physicians and family members need to engage the Alzheimer’s victims in activities that they enjoy most and give emphasizes on the processes applied to enhance their understanding. The procedures used should not be complicated or overwhelming to allow flexibility and choice of activities that suit the patients’ needs. Individuals who have Alzheimer’s disease should take part in activities that do not require active involvement such as listening to music. The caregivers need to initiate the activities to strengthen the patients’ motivation to establish a platform that encourages Alzheimer’s patients to feel like part of a group while conducting specific activities.
Managing Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s ailment is a serious health issue that requires close attention and an escalated physician-patient relationship. Controlling the progression of the disease is difficult because of lack of a specified treatment and cure. However, the ailment can be medically managed via a couple of ways. The medical management method implemented aims at optimizing the quality of life for the patients as well as their respective families. Additionally, the management approaches aimed at helping the people living with Alzheimer in improving the performance of their daily activities and maintain their capabilities for a longer period (Kales, Gitlin, " Lyketsos, 2015). The physicians are involved in the selection of optimal treatment drugs for cognitive and behavioral symptoms while considering the potential benefits and risks associated with those drugs. Both the families and patients are informed about the side effects of the drugs and are given essential guidance on how to handle the situation. The strategies developed to help in coping with the changes in cognition and behavior of the patients includes creating a conducive environment free from disturbances and ensuring patients’ safety.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s ailment is a health issue that needs more research to assist in coming up with the right treatment and cure. The disease is triggered by the damage to the nerve cells, which supports the brain’s functions. Alzheimer’s is mostly known to occur in the aging individuals, but the young individuals can as well suffer from the disease. However, people need to learn about the causes, symptoms, risks and preventive measures of Alzheimer’s ailment. Those suffering from the ailment should be provided with the best medical management approaches. The patients require life-related advice to encourage them in coping with the disorders. Although the management strategies are temporary, they are vital to maximizing the functions and maintaining the patients’ potentials for a little longer. Therefore, it is important for individuals to seek supportive services as soon as Alzheimer’s disease signs are detected.
References
Alzheimer’s, A. (2015). 2015 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. Alzheimer's " dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 11(3), 332.
Fauth, E. B., " Gibbons, A. (2014). Which behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are the most problematic? Variability by prevalence, intensity, distress ratings, and associations with caregiver depressive symptoms. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 29(3), 263-271.
Kales, H. C., Gitlin, L. N., " Lyketsos, C. G. (2015). Assessment and management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. bmj, 350(7), h369.
Theofilas, P., Ehrenberg, A. J., Dunlop, S., Alho, A. T. D. L., Nguy, A., Leite, R. E. P., ... " Polichiso, L. (2017). Locus coeruleus volume and cell population changes during Alzheimer's disease progression: a stereological study in human postmortem brains with potential implication for early-stage biomarker discovery. Alzheimer's " dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 13(3), 236-246.
