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| |  | |  | | | | The information on these pages is intended for general knowledge purposes only. If you have or think you have any of these conditions, you should contact your physician immediately. If you do not have a physician, contact:
Hartford Hospital's Health Referral Services: Phone: 860.545.1888 Email: CLICK HERE | | | |  | |  |
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Diseases/Conditions
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Select one of the following:
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Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) disease is a progressive brain disorder that
gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make
judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s
progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior,
such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or
hallucinations.
Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new treatments are on the
horizon as a result of accelerating insight into the biology of the disease.
Research has also shown that effective care and support can improve quality of
life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease from
diagnosis to the end of life.
Dementia
Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia, a group of conditions that all
gradually destroy brain cells and lead to progressive decline in mental
function. Vascular dementia, another common form, results from reduced blood
flow to the brain’s nerve cells. In some cases, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular
dementia can occur together in a condition called "mixed dementia." Other causes
of dementia include frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies,
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease advances at widely different rates. The duration of the
illness may often vary from 3 to 20 years. The areas of the brain that control
memory and thinking skills are affected first, but as the disease progresses,
cells die in other regions of the brain. Eventually, the person with Alzheimer’s
will need complete care. If the individual has no other serious illness, the
loss of brain function itself will cause death.
For more information about Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis and treatment,
contact your physician, or:
On the Web:
National Institute of Health:
www.nihseniorhealth.gov
Alzheimer's Disease Education & Referral Center:
www.alzheimers.org
Alzheimer's Association:
www.alz.org
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