|
|||
|
Alzheimer's disease & more
|
|||
|
Facts Alzheimers causes and its devastating effects
Alzheimer's is a debilitating condition that sets in later in life that involves memory loss, loss of reasoning skills and many other forms of mental impairment. We all forget something or the other every now and then. You forget where you left your keys, or why you picked up the phone book. But Alzheimer's goes far beyond the mere forgetfulness that happens once in a while. Decades of intensive research has gone into unearthing the causes of Alzheimer's without definite results. Age is a common factor among most sufferers. Genetics is the other factor thought responsible for the disease. Scientists theorize that an 'Alzheimer's gene' exists. They believe that the way this gene interacts with other components of our genetic makeup is the secret to the disease. However, it appears that age and genetics alone are not able to account for Alzheimer's syndrome. Environment and diet are two other factors being studied for clues to the illness. Still, there is no conclusive evidence on what triggers the illness. Or indeed, on how to cure it. Alzheimer's disease treatment involves a multi-pronged approach. Present-day drugs can help to slow down the progression of the disease, to some extent. Other drugs are used to treat symptoms. For instance, sleep remedies are used to help cases of insomnia and perhaps anti-depressants to cure agitation. There is inconclusive evidence that vitamins may help. Particularly vitamins C and E which act as antioxidants and apparently slow down the disease. Herbal remedies like ginkgo biloba, which is said to be a cognitive enhancer, may help as well. Some doctors favor using estrogen, which can cut down the risk of developing the disease and slow down deterioration. While much yet remains to be discovered about Alzheimer's causes, some progress is being made in recent years. Researchers hope that an effective cure can be found within a few decades.
|
|||
|
|
|||
