Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia
that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.
Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe
enough to interfere with daily tasks.
Alzheimer’s and dementia basics
Alzheimer’s is the most common form
of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual
abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease
accounts for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases.
Alzheimer’s is not the only cause of memory loss.
Many people have trouble with memory — this does NOT mean they have
Alzheimer’s. There are many different causes of memory loss. If you or a
loved one is experiencing symptoms of dementia, it is best to visit a
doctor so the cause can be determined.
Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of
aging, although the greatest known risk factor is increasing age,
and the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. But
Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. Up to 5 percent of people with
the disease have early-onset Alzheimer’s (also known as younger-onset),
which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.
Alzheimer’s worsens over time.
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually
worsen over a number of years. In its early stages, memory loss is mild, but
with late-stage Alzheimer’s, individuals lose the ability to carry on a
conversation and respond to their environment. Alzheimer’s is the sixth
leading cause of death in the United States. Those with Alzheimer’s live an
average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but
survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health
conditions.
Alzheimer’s has no current cure,
but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
Although current Alzheimer’s treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from
progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms
and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat
the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.