Alzheimer’s disease is a physical condition that affects the brain and is the most common form of dementia worldwide. A German neurologist by the name of Alois Alzheimer first described the disease in the early 1900’s and was he who the condition was named after.

Alzheimer

When the disease is present in the brain, types of “tangles” develop in the brains structure which kills brain cells. Disease sufferers also have a shortage of a chemical in the brain which is responsible for the transmission of messages. As the disease progresses over time, more areas of the brain are damaged and any symptoms then become more severe.

Early stage symptoms include memory lapses and difficulty in finding the right words to speak or describe something. The progression of the disease brings confusion, forgetfulness, mood swings and frustration and withdrawal due to communication and confidence issues.

Up to the present time, no one has been able to pinpoint one particular factor that contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease but it is widely agreed that it is probably a combination of factors including age, genetic makeup, diet, environmental factors and general health. Some people may even have the disease for years before any symptoms appear.

Unfortunately, presently there is no known cure for the condition, but certain drugs have been produced that can help alleviate some of the symptoms or slow down the diseases progression.