While most people know Alzheimer’s disease can significantly affect memory and cognitive functions, not as well publicized is that Alzheimer’s is actually the number six cause of death in America. It’s also the only medical condition that’s currently incurable that’s on the World Health Organization’s top ten list of causes of death.
Currently, Alzheimer’s cause is known to be associated with proteins in the brain, beta-amyloid proteins. When these protein deposits appear on neural tissue, it blocks the ordinary function of neural cells. And, as the disease progresses and the deposits remain in the brain, cells in the brain begin to die. As this is happening, the patient will experience the memory losses and interruption of proper mental function. While they start mild, they get worse as time goes on. Many patients may have the condition for many years, two or three decades in some cases, before it becomes apparent they’re suffering from it; or until it’s diagnosed.
While medical research into Alzheimer’s continues, it’s early and treatment options are limited. New diagnostic techniques are coming into practice though thanks to recent discoveries, and there are some promising new treatment options that are beginning to be more widely available. None of them are a silver bullet yet, but patients are better off then they once were.
Here’s the current state of Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment; learn the signs and have hope. #HealthStatus
Key Points:
- 1Clinical trials are required for all new drugs to be released.
- 2Phases of clinical trials ensure drugs are safe for the public.
- 3The trials make sure that they can halt AD and that they are safe for human use in the long term.
See the original at: https://www.alzheimers.net/new-diagnostic-and-treatment-options-for-alzheimers/
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