How is Alzheimers Diagnosed? Doctors to See and Tests to Have
by Gary Addams

Alzheimers disease is a complex and complicated illness, and its symptoms are frequently indicative of other disorders as well. As a result, the diagnostic process for the disease can be messy and complicated.

Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose Alzheimers disease is to examine brain tissue for plaques and tangles. Unfortunately, so far, this can only be done in an autopsy. So you might be wondering how is Alzheimers diagnosed?

Well, doctors must conduct a thorough examination so that they can rule out other possible causes of the symptoms you are experiencing. A diagnosis can be considered possible if all other causes cannot be ruled out. It can be considered probable if all other causes have been ruled out.

Fortunately, specialists with extensive experience working with Alzheimers patients can diagnose Alzheimers with 80-90% certainty.

Early Diagnosis Dont Waste Time Before Seeing a Doctor

According to Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the Alzheimers Research and Prevention Foundation, it is important that you go for a diagnostic examination as soon as symptoms appear. Dr. Khalsa has found that many of the treatments currently available work best when an early Alzheimers diagnosis is made.

There are many other advantages to having Alzheimers diagnosed as early as possible.

First, early diagnosis helps patients and families plan for the future. It gives them time to discuss care options while the patient can still be part of the decision-making process. It also gives the patient time to get financial affairs in order while his or her mental functioning is still at a high level.

Second, early diagnosis allows you to gain access to the Alzheimers medications that are currently available. Several drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimers symptoms, but they are generally more effective when taken in the early stages of the disease.

Third, early diagnosis allows you to participate in experimental Alzheimers drug and treatment studies. Right now, more than 200 clinical studies are underway testing new drugs and treatment methods. Most of these studies prefer to work with Alzheimers patients in the earliest stages of the disease.

Doctors to See and Tests to Have

Most people usually go to their general care physician first. This is understandable we generally feel more comfortable speaking to someone with whom we already have a relationship.

However, it is a good idea to consult a neurologist or someone who primarily works with Alzheimers patients when seeking an accurate diagnosis.

Since there is no one test to concretely determine whether you have Alzheimers disease, most neurologists will conduct a variety of tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms and to more confidently attribute your problems to Alzheimers.

The following should be part of your diagnostic evaluation:

1. Mini Mental Status Examination:

This generally consists of interviews and tests that are aimed at evaluating your level of cognitive functioning: these tests assess learning, attention, language, memory, and reasoning ability. Other family members may also be interviewed to gain additional insight into recent changes in memory, behavior, and personality.

2. Medical History:

A questionnaire is used to understand past medical problems, injuries, illnesses, chronic conditions, and medications you are currently taking.

3. Mood Evaluation:

This assesses the presence of other issues such as anxiety or depression, which can cause Alzheimers-like symptoms.

4. Physical Exam:

This generally evaluates hearing, vision, blood pressure, and pulse rate.

5. Lab Tests:

Blood and urine tests are conducted to rule out other causes and conditions.

6. Neuroimaging:

This is generally done by an MRI or CAT scan. These tests let your doctor identify any abnormalities in your brain. They can help identify changes in brain structure that are commonly exhibited in Alzheimers patients. They can also show the presence of brain tumors, blood clots and strokes this is very useful in helping to rule out other causes of poor mental functioning.

While doctors are still looking for a more conclusive test to definitively answer the question how is Alzheimers diagnosed?, current practices are very accurate, even if they are lengthy and time consuming.

Just make sure that your doctor is thorough and administers all of the evaluations listed above. And make sure your symptoms are diagnosed as soon as you notice them. An early diagnosis will lead to much better treatment of the disease.

Complete Information on Alzheimer disease with Treatment and Prevention

Alzheimer disease is the one of the most average cause of dementia. For Alzheimer disease there is currently no cure. The cause and improvement of Alzheimer’s disease is not well understood, but is associated with plaques and tangles in the brain. AD is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois alzheimer. In its most common form, it occurs in people over 65 years old although a less-prevalent early-onset form also exists. Alzheimer’s disease has been identified as a protein misfolding disease, or proteopathy, due to the accumulation of abnormally folded A-beta and tau proteins in the brains of AD patients. Possible causes and potential cures of thedisease have been conjectured, with varying evidence supporting each claim. There are other risk and protective factor genes that influence the development of late onset Alzheimer’s disease.Due to the incurable and exhausting nature of the disease care-management of Alzheimer’s is vital. The character of the principal caregiver is frequently taken by the partner or a good relative. Carers may themselves sustain from strain, over-work, depression, and being physically strike or struck. Nonetheless, Alzheimer’s disease is not a natural region of aging and is not something that necessarily happens in late living. For instance, many folk lively to over 100 years of age and never produce Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms alter as the circumstance develops, and it may head to disarray, personality changes and an overall difference in behavior. People with this disease normally expect extensive maintenance during the sophisticated stages of the disease. Alzheimer disease are classified as intermittent or nonfamilial, which means they do not seem to operate in families. The disease can start many years before it is finally diagnosed. In its earlier stages, short-term memory departure is the almost popular symptom, frequently initially thought to be caused by aging or emphasize by the sufferer. Later symptoms include disarray, ire, climate swings, word dislocation, long-term memory departure, and the general withdrawal of the sufferer as his or her senses drop. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are mostly reported to a physician when memory-loss causes worry, and on suspecting Alzheimer’s disease, the doctor or healthcare specialists will affirm the diagnosis with a behavioral appraisal and cognitive tests, frequently followed by a mind read. Over moment, folk with the disease suffer their power to believe and cause understandably, evaluate situations, resolve problems, focus, recall helpful data, go maintenance of themselves, and still talk. No treatment has been organize to reverse the disease, and it is not known whether current treatments slow the progression, or simply manage the symptoms. Many preventative measures have been suggested for Alzheimer’s disease, but their value is often uncertain: mental stimulation, exercise and a balanced diet are usually recommended, both as a possible prevention and as a sensible way of managing the disease. Combining memantine with other AD drugs may be more effective than any single therapy. One controlled clinical trial found that patients receiving donepezil plus memantine had better cognition and other functions than patients receiving donepezil alone. Also, other medications may help control behavioral symptoms such as sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, and depression.

How is Alzheimer’s Diagnosed? Doctors to See and Tests to Have

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex and complicated illness, and its symptoms are frequently indicative of other disorders as well. As a result, the diagnostic process for the disease can be messy and complicated.Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease is to examine brain tissue for plaques and tangles. Unfortunately, so far, this can only be done in an autopsy. So you might be wondering “how is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?”Well, doctors must conduct a thorough examination so that they can rule out other possible causes of the symptoms you are experiencing. A diagnosis can be considered “possible” if all other causes cannot be ruled out. It can be considered “probable” if all other causes have been ruled out.Fortunately, specialists with extensive experience working with Alzheimer’s patients can diagnose Alzheimer’s with 80-90% certainty.Early Diagnosis – Don’t Waste Time Before Seeing a DoctorAccording to Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, it is important that you go for a diagnostic examination as soon as symptoms appear. Dr. Khalsa has found that many of the treatments currently available work best when an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis is made.There are many other advantages to having Alzheimer’s diagnosed as early as possible.First, early diagnosis helps patients and families plan for the future. It gives them time to discuss care options while the patient can still be part of the decision-making process. It also gives the patient time to get financial affairs in order while his or her mental functioning is still at a high level.Second, early diagnosis allows you to gain access to the Alzheimer’s medications that are currently available. Several drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms, but they are generally more effective when taken in the early stages of the disease.Third, early diagnosis allows you to participate in experimental Alzheimer’s drug and treatment studies. Right now, more than 200 clinical studies are underway testing new drugs and treatment methods. Most of these studies prefer to work with Alzheimer’s patients in the earliest stages of the disease.Doctors to See and Tests to HaveMost people usually go to their general care physician first. This is understandable – we generally feel more comfortable speaking to someone with whom we already have a relationship.However, it is a good idea to consult a neurologist or someone who primarily works with Alzheimer’s patients when seeking an accurate diagnosis.Since there is no one test to concretely determine whether you have Alzheimer’s disease, most neurologists will conduct a variety of tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms and to more confidently attribute your problems to Alzheimer’s.The following should be part of your diagnostic evaluation:1. Mini Mental Status Examination:This generally consists of interviews and tests that are aimed at evaluating your level of cognitive functioning: these tests assess learning, attention, language, memory, and reasoning ability. Other family members may also be interviewed to gain additional insight into recent changes in memory, behavior, and personality. 2. Medical History:A questionnaire is used to understand past medical problems, injuries, illnesses, chronic conditions, and medications you are currently taking.3. Mood Evaluation:This assesses the presence of other issues such as anxiety or depression, which can cause Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.4. Physical Exam:This generally evaluates hearing, vision, blood pressure, and pulse rate.5. Lab Tests:Blood and urine tests are conducted to rule out other causes and conditions.6. Neuroimaging:This is generally done by an MRI or CAT scan. These tests let your doctor identify any abnormalities in your brain. They can help identify changes in brain structure that are commonly exhibited in Alzheimer’s patients. They can also show the presence of brain tumors, blood clots and strokes – this is very useful in helping to rule out other causes of poor mental functioning.While doctors are still looking for a more conclusive test to definitively answer the question “how is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?”, current practices are very accurate, even if they are lengthy and time consuming.Just make sure that your doctor is thorough and administers all of the evaluations listed above. And make sure your symptoms are diagnosed as soon as you notice them. An early diagnosis will lead to much better treatment of the disease.

Alzheimer’s and Stress – Is There a Link?

Over the past few years, doctors have been finding increasing evidence linking Alzheimer’s and stress. While age is still considered to be the primary risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s, several important studies have identified stress as another main cause to be aware of.Studies Linking Alzheimer’s and StressA recent study conducted at UC Irvine evaluated the effects of stress on the brains of mice. Researchers subjected mice to continuous stress similar to that experienced by humans in their daily lives. The increased stress caused these mice to produce higher levels of the proteins beta-amyloid and tau in their brains. These proteins make up the plaques and tangles found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients.This phenomenon creates a dangerous cycle. High levels of beta-amyloid and tau in the brain cause an increase in the production of stress hormones, which in turn leads to the production of more beta-amyloid and tau in the brain. This sequence drastically speeds up the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.This study has many implications for Alzheimer’s patients. Most importantly, doctors need to be careful when prescribing drugs to elderly people. Many commonly prescribed drugs for the elderly contain glucocorticoids, which produce similar effects to stress hormones. As a result, these drugs could potentially contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.Another study involving humans has backed up the discoveries made at UC Irvine. A long-term study found that people who were more prone to stress were twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as people with lower stress levels. Furthermore, these people were ten times as likely to exhibit deteriorated memory.These studies strongly indicate that the regions of the brain responsible for regulating stress are also our brain’s memory centers. This discovery can be very helpful to doctors as they work towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.Stress Management and Alzheimer’s PreventionBased on the findings of these studies, it has become clear that stress management is an important component to Alzheimer’s prevention.Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the non-profit Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, has been studying Alzheimer’s disease since the early 1990’s. He has determined that the best method of prevention is to adopt healthy lifestyle practices at an early age.Dr. Dharma and the ARPF promote stress management as an important tool for preventing Alzheimer’s. They also recommend other lifestyle practices, such as proper diet, physical exercise, and mental exercise. Additionally, using meditation, hypnosis, deep breathing, massage, or yoga can help reduce stress in your life.The link between Alzheimer’s and stress is becoming clearer by the day. The sooner you take steps to lower the stress in your life, the more likely you are to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s down the road.

Causes of Alzheimer’s: What’s Really Known Today

For years, the causes of Alzheimer’s disease have been somewhat of a mystery. Doctors and researchers have worked diligently to unlock the secrets of this complex and devastating disease. Fortunately, great strides have been made recently in understanding the causes of Alzheimer’s.Post mortem examinations of the brains of Alzheimer’s patients have shown large quantities of plaques and tangles in the brain. Plaques are deposits of the protein beta-amyloid that accumulate in the spaces between nerve cells. Tangles are deposits of the protein tau that accumulate inside of the nerve cells and become twisted.While the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is still yet to be determined, several risk factors have been identified.Age is the primary risk factor for the disease. Alzheimer’s generally develops in people over the age of 65. Furthermore, as you get older, the risk of contracting the disease increases exponentially. While less than 5% of people age 65-74 have Alzheimer’s, the chances of developing it doubles every 5 years after age 65. Almost 50% of the population over the age of 85 has the disease.While researchers have not identified a gene that directly causes Alzheimer’s, there is strong evidence that there is a genetic component to the disease.The APOE-e4 gene, a sub-type of the APOE gene, has been found in the majority of Alzheimer’s patients. The APOE gene provides the blueprint for one of the proteins that carries cholesterol in the blood stream.There are three types of APOE genes: APOE-e2, APOE-e3, and APOE-e4. The most common form of the gene found in the majority of the population is APOE-e3. As of now, only the APOE-e4 gene has been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s.Everyone has two copies of the APOE gene (one from each parent). People with one copy of the e4 gene are 2-3 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s than those who don’t have a copy. The rare person who has two copies of the e4 gene (approximately 1% of the population) has a 9 times greater risk of contracting the disease.Also, if you have a first degree relative (parent, sibling) with Alzheimer’s, your chances of developing the disease are up to 7 times greater. This provides further evidence that there is a genetic component to the disease.So if you have a close relative with Alzheimer’s, monitor your memory functioning closely as you get older. It is much easier to delay the progression of the disease if you catch it in its early stages.Serious head injuries, such as concussions, have also been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.Fortunately, the causes of Alzheimer’s are not entirely out of your control. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the non-profit Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, has found that by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, you can greatly reduce the risk of developing this devastating disease.By lowering your stress levels, eating a healthy diet, and staying physically and mentally active, you can go a long way towards steering clear of Alzheimer’s disease.

Hair loss is problem that is linked to a variety of factors, such as age, genetics, diet, and diseases.
As with most things concerning the body, prevention plays a big role when it comes to health. Caring for your hair, keeping it healthy and avoiding the problem in the first place is to treat hair loss.
Brushing and Styling
You can start by brushing your hair. Brushing is known to help remove the dead hair as well the dirt and debris that collected throughout the day.
Daily brushing, besides helping to remove the dead hair and the dirt and debris, also helps in moving oils and nutrients all around your scalp and your hair.
Keep in mind that it is best to not do this for a prolonged period of time. For longer hair, it is also better to use a comb instead of a brush, as a comb won’t rip out the hair. Even when using a comb, it is best to not use it in excess, but rather, only to style hair or to get rid of extra tangles. This will allow the protective coating (the cuticle) to stay in place and continue to provide protection for your health hair.
Go gentle on the curling irons, blow dryers and curlers. The high heat is not good for your hair. It may look good to you that night, but you may be damaging or killing the hairs or cuticles on your scalp.
When your hair is wet, it will be easier for it to stretch and break.
Be careful with the types of products that you are putting in your hair. While most hair products that are used for dying hair are known to be safe, some will contain extra chemicals that can be detrimental. This will then cause the protective layer to be lost and will leave your hair exposed.
Nutrition Vitamins to Help Hair Loss
One of the major reasons hair losses occurs is the lack of nutrients and vitamins in your body. Besides giving you a healthy and great looking head of hair a change in your diet may go a long way in helping you prevent or delay hair loss.
Make sure that at least half of what you eat every day is fruits, vegetables, whole grains, boiled potatoes or brown rice. These are essential unrefined carbohydrates and are a source of energy and B vitamins that are great for healthy hair.
By the way, this is not just for having health hair, it is the basis for a healthy diet.
Do your best to have 15 %26#8211; 20% of your diet be comprised of fish, nuts, grains, seeds, eggs, poultry or dairy products as a lack of amino acids can inhibit cell growth as well as hair growth.
Vitamins A, C, E, biotin, B5, as well as B6 and B12 are all very beneficial to your hair. They all come from food sources. A, C and E can be food in most fruits and vegetables and biotin, B5, as well as B6 and B12 can be found in yeast, grains, eggs, liver, rice, and milk. Also a good multi-vitamin is an additional source.
Along with protein, zinc and other natural sources will help your hair in looking healthier and may also prevent hair loss. Keeping a balanced diet will also be effective in making sure that your hair stays thicker and healthier.
Washing
It is recommended to not wash your hair more than once a day; however, you should wash it at least once a week.
This will allow the dirt and oils to come out of the hair with the proper washings. It will also allow nutrients to move through the hair in order to allow for protection, as well as growth.
If you have a sensitive scalp, you should consider using a softer type of shampoo or one that has specific medication to help your hair.
Oils Treatments for Hair Loss
Various oils have been proven to provide you with treatments that you can use to help with your hair loss. By knowing which oils are available, and are proven effective, you can help in keeping a healthy hair look.
Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender, and Cedarwood are some of the known oils that are often used. All of these oils have essential nutrients that will react with the scalp and hair to allow for new growth and less strain in the scalp area.
For a different treatment, you can use what is known as carrier oils. These will carry the nutrients from the oil onto your scalp. The two well-known oils for this treatment is jojoba and grape seed oil. They are also a natural source for improving hair growth. For those who are worried about putting chemicals on the scalp, essential, natural oils are a good alternative.
The best way to use these types of oils to help with hair loss is to use a specific amount of the oils on your scalp every day. You can easily rub them into your scalp and massage them into the areas that are not growing as much hair. The oils will tell the area to add more hair and will promote stronger hair growth. Using these oils daily is necessary to achieve the needed results.
Oils are a great treatment that can’t hurt your scalp, slows hair loss, and is easy to apply and use.
Don’t hesitate to speak with an aromatherapist as they will have more information for you.

Hair Loss: one of the most confounding conditions men and women have ever struggled with. People consider their hair as kings consider their crown; an important part of one’s identity, an important part of one’s self. Hair and hair loss are often considered as indicators of one’s youth. That is why people are always appalled whenever faced with the possibility of hair loss. Hence we often do whatever they can and believe whatever we hear just to make sure that we get to keep that precious hair of ours as thick and as healthy as can be.

Hair loss can be common in females and is more common following the menopause; however, alopecia will not manifest in all cases. In many cases the sufferer will simply notice increased hair loss and thinning of the hair; early treatment can improve the outcome. Although alopecia tends to be socially accepted in males it is unacceptable in females and in many cases it can have devastating effects on the sufferer’s emotional state and confidence. But you should not despair - hair loss can be prevented and stopped once you know what causes it and what you should do.

The real causes of hair loss or alopecia, as it is clinically known, have already been explained by science, however, before we proceed to know the real causes of hair loss, let us first see and examine the prevalent myths about why hair loss occur in women.

There are many websites that try to dispel the “myths” of womens hair loss but some of these so-called “myths” do have a basis for truth. Let’s now examine many of these popular “myths” and provide a balanced response.

Myth Number One: Frequent shampooing contributes to hair loss. Many websites say this is “rubbish”, however, in textbooks of trichology it is recommended that “extra care” should be taken for fragile and thinning hair. These measures include using gentle shampoos as heavily medicated shampoos can affect the scalp and brushing should be gentle as well. Any tangles of hair should be separated without pulling of the hair. So, it’s not so much how frequently you wash your hair but what you wash your hair with!

Myth Number Two: We often hear that bad blood circulation starves the hair follicles which make them fall out. Although patients with poor blood circulation do not appear to be more likely to suffer from alopecia, tight fitting hats and wigs may cause hair loss in a very small minority of people. The mechanism is still unclear but if it occurs, this may be due to the impairment of blood flow in the scalp. That is why extreme care should be taken by alopecia sufferers who wear these garments on their heads.

Myth Number Three: Hats and wigs cause hair loss. This is untrue on the whole, all hats and wigs do is just cover your hair. Hats may even help shield your hair against the damaging causes of direct sunlight. However, if you are a sufferer of alopecia you should avoid tight fitting hats and wigs in our opinion.

Myth Number Four: 100 strokes of the hair brush daily will create healthier hair. Brushing your hair does stimulate the glands on your scalp to produce oil that will keep your hair healthy. However, a hundred brush strokes does more damage to your hair than what you wish intend. A hundred brush strokes on thinning and fragile hair will be more devastating than helpful. It is important to look after thinning and fragile hair and gentle brushing should be sufficient to maintain the condition of your hair and can be of benefit. Tangles should be separated by fingers without pulling the hair.

Myth Number Five: Permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors and other cosmetic treatments. Whilst treatments on hair can damage the nutrients and make it less healthy it will not lead to permanent alopecia. However, should hair loss be experienced after perms etc. then you should avoid them. That is why you have to scrutinize whatever you use in your hair since improper use of products may cause potential hair loss.

Myth Number Six: Women are expected to develop significant hair loss if they are healthy. Utter rubbish.

Myth Number Seven: Shaving one’s head will cause the hair to grow back thicker. This is just not true. In fact, if you are suffering from androgenetiic alopecia, this will actually severely quicken your hair loss.

Myth Number Eight: Standing on one’s head will cause increased circulation and thereby stimulate hair growth. We’re afraid not; although poor blood circulation may cause some hair loss, increasing blood circulation just does not stimulate hair growth either.

Myth Number Nine: Dandruff causes permanent hair loss. This is simply not true. Dandruff is a condition of the scalp, not the hair. Dandruff occurs because of the excessive shedding of cells on your scalp skin. For dandruff sufferers, the natural process of scalp-cell renewal is accelerated when fighting off P. ovale, a normal fungus found on every human head.

Myth Number Ten: We often see TV personalities and even some doctors say that stress makes your hair fall out! Although it is unclear whether stress coming from severe life events can cause alopecia, there are case reports indicating that this may be so. It is however very rare and frequently no cause can be found for severe and rapid developing alopecia. Patients who have suffered hair loss following a stressful event may still benefit from specific treatment to assist in hair re-growth.

Myth Number Eleven: Hair loss does not occur in the late teens or early twenties. Whilst fairly rare this is not true. Alopecia or hair loss may happen to anyone regardless of their age.

Now what really causes androgenetic alopecia or hair loss in women?

The most common type of hair loss seen in women is androgenetic alopecia, also known as female pattern alopecia or baldness. This is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the top and sides of the head. It affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as early as puberty. Normal hair fall is approximately 100-125 hairs per day. Fortunately, these hairs are replaced by the mechanisms in the body. True hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not re-grown or when the daily hair shed exceeds 125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss can come from either parents’ side of the family.

There are two different types of hair loss, medically known as Anagen effluvium and Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium or loss of hair that is in the anagen or growing phase is generally due to internally administered medications, such as chemotherapy agents, that poison the growing hair follicles. Telogen effluvium on the other hand, is due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage. The most common causes of Telogen effluvium are: (1)Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, rapid weight change; (2)Emotional stress: mental illness, death of a family member; (3)Thyroid abnormalities; (4)Medications: High doses of Vitamin A, Blood pressure medications, Gout medications; and (5)Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause. When the above causes of telogen effluvium are reversed or altered you should see the return of normal hair growth.

Hair loss in women: androgenetic alopecia, anagen effluvium and telogen effluvium can be lessened and reduced, even stopped. All you need to do is know the right information about alopecia and do the right things to combat these conditions. There are lots of hair loss treatment medicines available out there; all you need to do is to know which one is the right one for you, depending on the extent of the hair loss. Remember, that the longer you wait to treat your hair loss, the harder it will be to achieve good results. So if you want to win this hair loss battle, stand up and do it now! The quicker you take action the easier it’s going to get.

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex and complicated illness, and its symptoms are frequently indicative of other disorders as well. As a result, the diagnostic process for the disease can be messy and complicated.

Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease is to examine brain tissue for plaques and tangles. Unfortunately, so far, this can only be done in an autopsy. So you might be wondering “how is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?”

Well, doctors must conduct a thorough examination so that they can rule out other possible causes of the symptoms you are experiencing. A diagnosis can be considered “possible” if all other causes cannot be ruled out. It can be considered “probable” if all other causes have been ruled out.

Fortunately, specialists with extensive experience working with Alzheimer’s patients can diagnose Alzheimer’s with 80-90% certainty.

Early Diagnosis ‘ Don’t Waste Time Before Seeing a Doctor

According to Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, it is important that you go for a diagnostic examination as soon as symptoms appear. Dr. Khalsa has found that many of the treatments currently available work best when an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis is made.

There are many other advantages to having Alzheimer’s diagnosed as early as possible.

First, early diagnosis helps patients and families plan for the future. It gives them time to discuss care options while the patient can still be part of the decision-making process. It also gives the patient time to get financial affairs in order while his or her mental functioning is still at a high level.

Second, early diagnosis allows you to gain access to the Alzheimer’s medications that are currently available. Several drugs have been approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms, but they are generally more effective when taken in the early stages of the disease.

Third, early diagnosis allows you to participate in experimental Alzheimer’s drug and treatment studies. Right now, more than 200 clinical studies are underway testing new drugs and treatment methods. Most of these studies prefer to work with Alzheimer’s patients in the earliest stages of the disease.

Doctors to See and Tests to Have

Most people usually go to their general care physician first. This is understandable ‘ we generally feel more comfortable speaking to someone with whom we already have a relationship.

However, it is a good idea to consult a neurologist or someone who primarily works with Alzheimer’s patients when seeking an accurate diagnosis.

Since there is no one test to concretely determine whether you have Alzheimer’s disease, most neurologists will conduct a variety of tests to rule out other causes of your symptoms and to more confidently attribute your problems to Alzheimer’s.

The following should be part of your diagnostic evaluation:

1. Mini Mental Status Examination:

This generally consists of interviews and tests that are aimed at evaluating your level of cognitive functioning: these tests assess learning, attention, language, memory, and reasoning ability. Other family members may also be interviewed to gain additional insight into recent changes in memory, behavior, and personality.

2. Medical History:

A questionnaire is used to understand past medical problems, injuries, illnesses, chronic conditions, and medications you are currently taking.

3. Mood Evaluation:

This assesses the presence of other issues such as anxiety or depression, which can cause Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.

4. Physical Exam:

This generally evaluates hearing, vision, blood pressure, and pulse rate.

5. Lab Tests:

Blood and urine tests are conducted to rule out other causes and conditions.

6. Neuroimaging:

This is generally done by an MRI or CAT scan. These tests let your doctor identify any abnormalities in your brain. They can help identify changes in brain structure that are commonly exhibited in Alzheimer’s patients. They can also show the presence of brain tumors, blood clots and strokes ‘ this is very useful in helping to rule out other causes of poor mental functioning.

While doctors are still looking for a more conclusive test to definitively answer the question “how is Alzheimer’s diagnosed?”, current practices are very accurate, even if they are lengthy and time consuming.

Just make sure that your doctor is thorough and administers all of the evaluations listed above. And make sure your symptoms are diagnosed as soon as you notice them. An early diagnosis will lead to much better treatment of the disease.

Causes of Alzheimers: Whats Really Known Today
by Susan Nickerson

For years, the causes of Alzheimers disease have been somewhat of a mystery. Doctors and researchers have worked diligently to unlock the secrets of this complex and devastating disease. Fortunately, great strides have been made recently in understanding the causes of Alzheimers.

Post mortem examinations of the brains of Alzheimers patients have shown large quantities of plaques and tangles in the brain. Plaques are deposits of the protein beta-amyloid that accumulate in the spaces between nerve cells. Tangles are deposits of the protein tau that accumulate inside of the nerve cells and become twisted.

While the exact cause of Alzheimers is still yet to be determined, several risk factors have been identified.

Age is the primary risk factor for the disease. Alzheimers generally develops in people over the age of 65. Furthermore, as you get older, the risk of contracting the disease increases exponentially. While less than 5% of people age 65-74 have Alzheimers, the chances of developing it doubles every 5 years after age 65. Almost 50% of the population over the age of 85 has the disease.

While researchers have not identified a gene that directly causes Alzheimers, there is strong evidence that there is a genetic component to the disease.

The APOE-e4 gene, a sub-type of the APOE gene, has been found in the majority of Alzheimers patients. The APOE gene provides the blueprint for one of the proteins that carries cholesterol in the blood stream.

There are three types of APOE genes: APOE-e2, APOE-e3, and APOE-e4. The most common form of the gene found in the majority of the population is APOE-e3. As of now, only the APOE-e4 gene has been linked to the development of Alzheimers.

Everyone has two copies of the APOE gene (one from each parent). People with one copy of the e4 gene are 2-3 times more likely to develop Alzheimers than those who dont have a copy. The rare person who has two copies of the e4 gene (approximately 1% of the population) has a 9 times greater risk of contracting the disease.

Also, if you have a first degree relative (parent, sibling) with Alzheimers, your chances of developing the disease are up to 7 times greater. This provides further evidence that there is a genetic component to the disease.

So if you have a close relative with Alzheimers, monitor your memory functioning closely as you get older. It is much easier to delay the progression of the disease if you catch it in its early stages.

Serious head injuries, such as concussions, have also been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimers.

Fortunately, the causes of Alzheimers are not entirely out of your control. Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and Medical Director of the non-profit Alzheimers Research and Prevention Foundation, has found that by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, you can greatly reduce the risk of developing this devastating disease.

By lowering your stress levels, eating a healthy diet, and staying physically and mentally active, you can go a long way towards steering clear of Alzheimers disease.

Grooming Tips for Dogs

Bathing a puppy can be a real challenge, especially when your pup uses every resource to thwart your attempts to get them clean. Who wants to sit, all wet, in a slippery bathtub when there are lizards to chase, and trash men to harass? But dont give up on this important bath ritual. The way you bathe your puppy matters because you are teaching them, here and now, exactly what bath time will be like for the rest of his days. If you want a well-behaved adult dog that actually enjoys his bath, follow these steps. First thing; before you even run the bathwater, is to collect all the supplies you will need. Youll need a lot of these the first few times. Nylon collar and leash Coat-conditioning spray (for long-haired dogs) Natural-bristle brush Slicker brush during times of heavy shedding. Large towel for your dog. Now that your supplies are in order, put them all within reach of the tub where you will bathe your puppy. The bathtub works fine for some people, but small dogs fit perfectly in the kitchen sink, and this can be easier on your back if youre no longer a spring chicken. You may prefer to bathe really big using the garden hose on the porch or driveway. Next, put on clothes you dont care about getting soaked. Get a few of those treats ready, along with the nylon collar and leash. The entire affair will work better if your puppy is hungry, so do not feed him 6 hours before the bath. Call your puppy to you and offer a treat, remove his regular collar, put on the nylon collar and leash, a give him a few more treats. Say to him, Were going to have a bath! Wont this be fun? Take your puppy into the bathroom and show him a favorite toy, and play in the bathroom a bit. Remember, you want this to be fun. Now its time for a thorough brush-and-comb. Any knots or tangles in your puppys coat will tighten and become worse when wet, so you want to comb out all tangles before turning on the faucet. Spray long coats with conditioner and brush thoroughly, then comb through, making sure you get all the way down to the skin. Pay attention to the areas behind your dogs ears, where legs meet body, and under the tail, where mats tend to form in long coats. Remember to praise throughout this process and stay happy, keep the treats flowing. When your dogs coat is completely free of tangles and dead hair, put the nonskid mat on the bottom of the tub, sink, or pool, and loop the nylon leash around some thing sturdy like the faucet or, if you are outside, a fence, deck post, or heavy piece of lawn furniture. Now your puppy cant escape and you still have both hands free. Show him his toy and let him play with it a little in the tub before you turn on the water. Remember to do this with each new step, so your puppy gets rewarded instead of being afraid of the bath. If your puppy has sensitive eyes, use a baby shampoo on his head area. Dont let the water touch the dog until you are sure it is the right temperature. If using the garden hose, make sure any hot water sitting in the hose has run all the way out. Now, thoroughly soak the coat with water. Avoid the eyes and ears, and keep praising. Now, put some shampoo in your palms and rub them together, or apply some to the middle of your dogs back. Apply the shampoo to your dogs coat by massaging in circles for short coats, or massaging in long strokes with the growth of hair in long coats, to prevent tangling. Using the scrub brush, work the shampoo in, again using a circular motion on short coats and long brushstrokes on long coats. As you scrub and soap your puppy, he will probably shake his coat and soak you. This is a natural reaction in dogs when they get wet. If he does this, do not scold him! Next, its time to rinse. If you leave shampoo in the coat, it can attract dirt and cause tangles, making your dog look worse than before you washed him. Using the sprayer attachment or a pitcher, rinse out all the soap from along the back, under the belly, between paw pads, ect. When you are sure youve rinsed out all the soap, do it again. Theres always more soap that needs to be removed. Finish with a conditioner for dogs. When the bath is over, wrap your puppy in a big, soft towel and blot the water from his coat. Dont rub the coat as wet hair tangles easily. After you dry your puppy, he will shake again, just to dry himself a little more. Go with it, and stay happy. If you want your dog to air dry a wire crate works best.