Alzheimer's Disease

-Sudharsan

What? 

Alzheimer's disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. It is a form of memory loss that affects memory, thinking and behavior.

It is a progressive disease, that worsens with time. People in India live up to an average of 5 years after diagnosis.

When? 

Though majority affected are 65 or older, it sometimes strikes as early as 40.

How? 

In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but later they even lose the ability to converse.

The problems are due to the breakdown of proteins in the neurons (functional unit of brain).

Who? (Fiction)

When Gary a father of four was becoming more moody, anxious, and confused, his family attributed it to old age, but when he forgot their names they knew something was wrong

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 72, he would undress in public, eat 5 breakfasts, slowly lost all memory of himself, in his final days in the nursing home he even lost control of his toilet habits. 

And so

Alzheimer's does not have a cure, but we can treat its symptoms like depression, aggression etc..

And no real ways have been found to prevent it but a healthy lifestyle can help.

Alzheimer's wrecks the soul of families, seeing a loved one slowly lose everything is worse than death.