HEALTH AND MEDICINE ENGLISH FA-1

ON

Alzheimer's Disease
Done by: Thejas, Nehal, Sachin, Sidharth, Nigel, Likhit, Yashit

What is Alzheimers Disease?

Alzheimer's disease, is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death. It was first described by German psychiatrist, Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, AD is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer's is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.

The disease course is divided into four stages:

1) Pre-Dementia 2) Early 3) Moderate 4) Advanced

FACTS ABOUT ALZHIERMERS

Alzheimer's disease is the and the 5th leading cause of death for those aged 65 and older.
It is the only cause of death among the top 10 in America without a way to prevent it, cure it or even slow its progression.

Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease.

Deaths from Alzheimer's increased 68 percent between 2000 and 2010, while deaths from other major diseases, including the number one cause of death (heart disease), decreased.

1 in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer's or another dementia.

In 2012, 15.4 million caregivers provided more than 17.5 billion hours of unpaid care valued at $216 billion.

By Thejas Sathish X-F

The

oldest theory concerning the cause of this destructive disease is that of Cholinergic hypothesis. It states that Alzheimers is caused by the lack of production or synthesis of a nuerotransmitter named Acetylcholine Also, the large scale activation or aggretion of amyloid (a protein), leads to general inflammation.

This

hypothesis postulates that the beta amyloid deposits are the fundamental cause of Alzheimers. An experimental vaccine was found to clear the

In

this idea, the tau protein abnormalities initiate the disease. The protein intertangle and pair with the other threads. Consequently, they form neurofibrilarlly tangles When this occurs, the microtubles disintergrate and this collapses

SYMPTOMS
OF
Alzheimer's Disease

BY: SACHIN BHATIA

SYMPTOMS
Memory loss that disrupts daily life. One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids Difficulty completing familiar tasks People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. Changes in mood and personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.

 Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. New problems with words in speaking or writing. Withdrawal from work or social activities.

Precautions against Alzheimers DiseAse

Studies show that you can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by exercising, and keeping stress in check. Leading a brain-healthy lifestyle, may prevent its symptoms and slow down, the process of deterioration.

While some factors, such as genes, are out of your control, many powerful lifestyle factors are within our influence such as:
Regular exercise Regular exercise can also slow further deterioration in those who have already started to develop cognitive problems. Healthy diet The brain needs a nutritious diet to operate at its best. Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats are vital. Mental stimulation People who continue learning new things throughout life and challenging their brains are less likely to develop the disease .

 Quality

sleep The brain needs regular, restful sleep in order to function at optimum capacity. People with sleep deprivation have a greater risk of developing Alzheimers disease. Stress management Stress that is chronic takes a heavy toll on the brain, leading to shrinkage in a key the memory area of the brain, hampering nerve cell growth.

ALZHEIMER DISEASE REMEDIES

BY LIKHIT

Take Basic Safety Precautions to Protect an Alzheimer's Patient Who Wanders

Don't let the patient go out alone Don't leave the patient in the car Make the house safer for walking Install nightlights Consider childproof locks for dangerous doors Try new locks

SAFETY MESURES TO BE TAKEN AT HOME

Look into alarms that signal movement. Bed pads or chair pads with wireless remote alarms aren't inexpensive, but they offer an immediate alert that a wanderer is getting up. Other devices include floor mats with remote alarms, motion detectors that go off only on a portable receiver the caregiver can carry around, and conventional door chimes that sound when a door is opened and are installed by an electrician. Disguise dangerous doorways. A gentler alternative to door locks is to lead the person away from certain doors with visual cues that convey that the door is something else. Camouflage possibilities include painting the door to match a surrounding wall or hanging posters, mirrors, or murals on the door that are especially designed to make it look like a bookshelf or pantry shelf. DO NOT KEEP SHARP OBJECTS NEAR THEM. EG KNIVES , BLADES ETC

OTHER REMEDIES
Life-abiding friendship, trusting relations to be enjoyed by patient and family alike despite this illness.
Playing with patients mental games such as chess, Sudoku, Snakes and Ladders are some of them

Alzheimers is a disease that refers to the developing deterioration of the brain. Slow and steady loss of memory, poor cerebral ability, mental deterioration and change in personality are generally the predominant symptoms connected to the disease. Ayurveda carries the ability to treat Alzheimers, though the treatment does not promise a complete cure. As a matter of fact, no field of medicine has a complete cure to offer Alzheimers patients, as of today. In fact even this treatment for Alzheimers through Ayurveda is in a progressing state, with Ayurveda scientists looking for effective curative properties in herbs like the Brahmi. Ayurveda approaches diseases with the viewpoint that all diseases occur on account of an imbalance in the human body. The foundation of the science of Ayurveda is based on the concept of Tridosha in accordance to which a persons daily food, actions and thoughts have to be in composition with the Tridoshas. According to the principles of Ayurveda, Alzheimers is caused as a result of the imbalance in vata this imbalance is quite common as a person begins to grow in age. Alzheimers disease affects the vata in the tissues of the central nervous system of the body mainly the brain which then slowly becomes imbalanced.

Ayurveda therapy treatment in Alzheimer patients begins with a vata balancing diet. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in the powdered form along with either ghee or milk is included in the patients daily diet. This helps charge and soothe the vata. An oil massage daily, prior to a bath is also considered significant in this form of treatment. Ayurveda specialized preparations for Alzheimers treatment that are made from rice have proved highly beneficial to the patients besides providing the required nutrients to the old age person. Herbs such as Brahmi and Ashwagandha that serve as nerve tonics are mainly used in treating Alzheimers disease through the science of Ayurveda

Ayurveda treatment for Alzheimers disease would concentrate on rectifying and restoring the vata imbalance as ayurveda considers vata imbalance to be the primary cause of alzeimers disease. Vata imbalances are common in old age. Treatments for Alzheimers disease would include medicines to prevent degeneration and strengthening of the brain. Panchakarma treatments, rasayana therapies and diet regulations would all form part of the treatment. Ayurveda therapies like thalam, siro dhara and siro vasti are commonly prescribed for Alzheimers disease patients. Brahmi and aswagandha are the two main herbs used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Take nutritious diet including milk & ghee to strengthen the mind and body. Avoid fast food Take daily oil massage before bath Regulate life style Avoid mental stress and stain; be happy and cheerful always. Be free from all malice and be friendly and compassionate towards all beings. Avoid coffee, tea and alcohol

As Alzheimers disease is a result of vitiation of vata dosha they are advised to consume vata pacifying foods. A diet of basmati rice, dal, well cooked vegetables etc are all thus recommended. Ayurveda uses medicinal herbs in the several formulations that it makes for treating epilepsy patients. The medicinal herbs used commonly are brahmi, sanku puspam, malkagni, and jata manzi. These medicinal herbs are used in the preparation of kashayams, lehyams, choornam and aristams for epilepsy patients.

How to cure Alzheimers disease in ayurveda : Brahmi, Sankha pushpi, vacha, Jatamansi are main herbs used to treat effected brain. Instead of buying individual herbs and preparing medicines at home, one can buy Aswagandharistha, Saraswatarishta, Smriti Sagaram, Maanasa Mitravati, Brahmivati, Kalyanaka Ghruta etc medicines and try any one of them in limited dose (20-50 gms per day). Pomegranate juice also helps curing this disease faster. Also, kerala ayurveda pancha karma massages like Nasya Karma, Sirovasthi, Dhara chikitsa work well and fast on patient.

Specific treatment for Alzheimer's disease consists of the use of herbs which act upon the majja dhatu and mano vaha srotas. Chiefly, these are brahmi, vacha, jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi; ssp: grandiflorum), and Akar karabha (Anacyclus pyrethrum). Generally, the most useful remedy for Alzheimer's disease is sarasvati churna, which is highly effective in presenting and enhancing memory and intellect. Sarasvati churna can be taken in doses of one quarter to one-half teaspoon twice daily after meals. In severe cases, it can be taken three times daily. In cases where there is a bleeding disorder, ulcer, or bleeding hemorrhoids, brahmi and jatamansi may be used, but vacha should be omitted completely, since it is contraindicated in bleeding disorder. Akar karabha, which contains the active ingredient anacycline, is extremely important in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Unfortunately, it is currently unavailable outside India. It may be used as a medicated milk: 1/2 teaspoon Akar karabha 1/2 teaspoon Brahmi I cup milk Boil together and drink at bedtime. It may also be used as a tea, using 1/2 teaspoon Akar karabha and 1/2 teaspoon shankapushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides). Steep 10 minutes in I cup boiling water and drink 2-3 times daily.

Despite the great usefulness of these general and specific measures in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, regularity and stability remain the most important factors in treating this condition. Meals and remedies must be given at regular times, treatments such as oil massage must be administered according to a fixed schedule, whilst familiar faces and familiar surroundings are also of great importance. Any conditions that are haphazard, irregular or unexpected will serve only to provoke the vata still more. To be useful at all, Ayurvedic treatment of this condition must be both regular and prolonged.