Something Learned Within the Last Year That I Now Know A Lot About: Alzheimer's Disease - Term Paper Example

Alzheimers Disease Table of Contents I. Research 3 A. Background 3 B. Symptoms and Signs 4 C. Treatment Options, New Research 5 II. Importance, How ICame to Learn About the Disease 7 III. Reflection 10 References 13 I. Research A. Background Alzheimers Disease is a brain degeneration condition, where the progression is gradual but whose symptoms become evident on the sixth decade in the life of a person, and which is characterized by the slow erosion of the thinking capacities and memory capacities of the person, to the point of total loss of ability to perform the most fundamental bodily tasks. In the elderly, the most prevalent form of dementia is Alzheimers. As a generalization of the condition of Alzheimers, the umbrella condition dementia is a range of diseases affecting human cognition, degrading behavior, general thinking, capacity for reasoning, and memory, to the point where such degradation comes to hinder the persons abilities to function normally on a day to day basis. In the most severe form of Alzheimers and dementia, the afflicted person develops total dependence on the care of other people in order to continue living. The disease owes its name to the discoverer of the disease, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who diagnosed the condition in a woman who had died with the mental condition, and found, on examination, the presence of two of the three physical hallmarks of the disease, in fibrous tangles known as neurofibrillary tangles, and abnormal brain matter clumps called amyloid plaques. The third hallmark is the loss of neural connections in the brain (National Institute on Aging, 2012; Alzheimers Association, 2014; Emanuel, 2013; Kolata, 2012; Callaway, 2012; Gates, 2013; Monblot, 2012; Hamblin, 2013). The literature describes Alzheimers as a disease whose onset is quiet and often undetected, occurring at least a decade before the actual symptoms as described above manifest themselves. In the beginning, the symptoms are mild, and the damage to brain cells is minimal, but over time the damage spreads and as it does the brain shrinks in the damaged areas, causing progressive declines in the cognitive and physiological capabilities of the afflicted persons. When the degradation spreads to the hippocampus, the memory starts to degrade as well, and in the terminal stages of the condition the brain is a ravaged and shrunk organ (National Institute on Aging, 2012; Alzheimers Association, 2014; Emanuel, 2013; Kolata, 2012). B. Symptoms and Signs The literature details several signs and symptoms of Alzheimers. Among the most notable symptoms is the loss of memory leading to a disrupted life, most pronounced in areas of newly-acquired information, in the remembrance of key events and dates, the constant need to review and to ask about dates and other vital information, and the elevated reliance on aids for memorizing information, such as the use of prompts. Degraded computational abilities is another hallmark of the disease. Routine tasks, such as driving and playing favorite games, become problematic. The loss of ability to track the seasons of the year, the day of the week, and the time of day signify the condition too. Another symptom is a reduced ability to process visual cues and images. Conversational skills are impaired as language skills degrade. People with Alzheimers also start losing the ability to keep track of things. They become less able to manage money, as a symptom of impaired judgment, alongside such things as loss of ability to care for their physical selves in terms of grooming and basic hygiene. They withdraw from social interaction because of impaired abilities. Their personalities and moods undergo transformation, and become marked by such conditions as depression, anxiety, fearfulness, heightened suspicion, and an inability to work and function even in familiar and comfort zone environments. The condition is also noteworthy for not being the province of just old people, as it has been noted that people below 60, and those in their 40s, have been found to also have the disease in varying stages of progression (Alzheimers Association, 2014; Alzheimers Association, 2014b). C. Treatment Options, New Research The average prognosis is for people to die within eight years from the surfacing of symptoms, even as life expectancy has come to range anywhere from four to twenty years. Cures are unknown in western medicine, even as treatment modes include pharmaceutical medications to deal with the various symptoms, from loss of memory to sleep loss and behavior modifications (Alzheimers Association, 2014; Alzheimers Association, 2014b). On the other hand, it is interesting to note that there is some excitement over new and emerging research with regard to alternative treatment modes for Alzheimers, as well as prevention and research relating to genetics and their links to the disease (National Institute on Aging, 2012; Emanuel, 2013; Kolata, 2012; Monblot, 2012; Callaway, 2012; Gates, 2013; Monblot, 2012; Hamblin, 2013. Academic literature from respected journals and publications, such as those found in the US National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information, note that some key ancient substances, such as turmeric, have been found to be effective in halting the disease, reversing progression, and improving health outcomes for those suffering from the condition. Studies from these peer-reviewed journals have come to note that not only is turmeric highly effective in treating the symptoms, but even in healthy people turmeric has a protective effect on the human body, in terms of shielding people from Alzheimers and other degenerative diseases, and in terms of promoting the preservation of memories and cognitive faculties into old age (Hishikawa et al., 2012; Mishra and Palanivelu, 2008; Weil, 2014; Ji, 2013). The available research is proliferating in numbers, is compelling and often have very dramatic results in terms of improving the health conditions of those with Alzheimers., and made more compelling and dramatic for the way turmeric, which is ancient and cheap, and used for thousands of years, apparently trump more modern and expensive pharmaceutical medications. For instance, where the standard literature prescribes pharmaceutical medications specialized for various symptoms of the disease, the academic studies on turmeric signify that turmeric acting alone has the ability to act as a kind of magic bullet, dramatically improving outcomes and addressing all of the key symptoms simultaneously and effectively. In some of the studies too, the proponents conclude that the improvements in cognition and mood, and life outcomes, from the use of turmeric to address Alzheimers is permanent, and that those who improve do no relapse into more severe forms of the disease once improvements have been achieved. Moreover, a sweep of the literature suggests that turmeric works in many ways to improve the condition, attacking various physical processes that contribute to Alzheimers, and in so doing prevent its occurrence or reverse its progression in ways that specialized and targeted pharmaceutical drugs cannot (Hishikawa et al., 2012; Mishra and Palanivelu, 2008; Weil, 2014; Ji, 2013). Moreover, apart from turmeric, other natural substances, notably virgin coconut oil, have shown dramatic effects in improving health outcomes for people with Alzheimers. Testimonies and formal studies on coconut oil, reinforce the findings with regard to the ability of ancient, natural substances to treat a debilitating and costly condition that has wreaked havoc on the emotions and finances of countless millions of families in modern times (CTVNews.ca staff, 2013; Burne, 2013; Ji, 2013b). II. Importance, How I Came to Learn About the Disease I learned about the disease from anecdotal reports that I would come across in the news and in social media about the large emotional and financial pains that families undergo when parents, brothers and other members go into terminal decline from Alzheimers. These anecdotal stories became very personal when the mother of a good friend also contracted Alzheimers. Suddenly it was not something that I just heard in the news, as something that happened to other people, but something that is very relevant and pressing in my life. Putting myself in my friends shoes, and in the shoes of those who are suffering and who will suffer from the condition, I was filled with a sense of dread and later with a sense of mission. I had to do something, if only to learn more about it, so that I may know what to expect if I or someone in my family developed Alzheimers. Looking at the medical literature, one would conclude that the condition is hopeless indeed, and that the only hope for people is medication from the pharmaceutical companies. The problem I saw with the pharmaceutical approach is that there are so many medicines for so many different symptoms. They are costly too, and as far as I can tell the medications have not helped in terms of addressing the condition itself, alleviating the suffering of the families, and in really stemming the decline. It was a long and torturous road where families seemed to fight a battle they could not win, with everything that they have got financially and emotionally. This sense of dread that I feel, hearing about my friend and the fate of his mother, and recalling the news and the medical literature, made we wonder if there was something more that the medical community seem to be not keen on looking, for understandable profit and self-preservation motives. Luckily there is the Internet, and in the same way that the Internet has brought about revolutions in distant parts of the world, the available testimonies and studies on natural substances for Alzheimer’s, such as turmeric and coconut oil, seem like a godsend and very liberating. Here we are getting the news from mainstream media that there is nothing apart from the conventional pharmaceuticals that are used by mainstream medicine to treat Alzheimers, and on the other hand we have this wealth of scholarly, peer-reviewed research and very compelling personal testimonies with regard to the almost miraculous powers of ordinary, cheap natural substances to effect recovery in people with Alzheimers (National Institute on Aging, 2012; Alzheimers Association, 2014; Emanuel, 2013; Kolata, 2012; Monblot, 2012; Callaway, 2012; Gates, 2013; Monblot, 2012; Hamblin, 2013; CTVNews.ca staff, 2013; Burne, 2013; Ji, 2013b). The things that I know now are important related to Alzheimers because of the potential of this information to alleviate suffering, and in the most optimistic cases to transform suffering into happiness and well-being for the millions of families who can benefit from turmeric and from coconut oil. These are very cheap substances that have been known to work for thousands of years. The modern academic studies confirm their value, and it seems more studies are on the way to further validate the excellent findings. To augment my knowledge I keep myself abreast of new research and discussions related to Alzheimers too. Credible sources from the Internet further bolster my confidence with regard to the value of my knowledge and of natural substances to cure many modern degenerative conditions too. Looking at the state of the disease in 2013, for instance, the pharmaceutical industry still has not come up with effective treatments for Alzheimers and for other forms of dementia, and governments continue to be burdened by very high costs for procuring treatments that are unable to arrest the terminal decline. Other new conventional information look to food sources that contribute to Alzheimers, such as gluten, but do not mention turmeric and coconut oil. Some of the mainstream studies focus on biological mechanisms of the spread of the disease, but again do not look into the thousands of studies that point to turmeric in relation to Alzheimers. Still others look at genetic links and likelihood for acquiring Alzheimers from having two parents with the disease, but again are silent about obvious and natural cures. This points the way for heightened research and information dissemination on the value of natural substances such as turmeric and coconut oil for Alzheimers patients (National Institute on Aging, 2012; Hishikawa et al., 2012; Mishra and Palanivelu, 2008; Weil, 2014; CTVNews.ca staff, 2013; Burne, 2013; Ji, 2013b). III. Reflection Having learned so much about Alzheimers over the past year, I am struck by how much suffering there is around me, and how important information is in alleviating that suffering. Alzheimers is something that strikes fear in the hearts of many people, especially those who have a family history of the disease. It presents a long-term burden to many families, debilitating not only those who contract the disease but also those who are younger and who have the responsibility to care for their sick parents and siblings. It is a large burden on government, who has to spend a large share of its budget on medications and medical bills to cover the costs of treatment. Society suffers too from the loss of ability on the part of those who are unnecessarily burdened by the disease. Alzheimers patients are doctors, lawyers, workers of all kinds, breadwinners, writers, professors, fathers, and mothers. Communities who need their services lose them to Alzheimers too. The grief and the suffering that Alzheimers causes is unimaginable. What is more unimaginable is that natural treatments are effective, but are not getting the proper attention and airing that they deserve. As a result families are trapped in a kind of skid row. Information about turmeric and coconut oil allows people to pierce through all that pain and reverse the downward spiral that many families now face when one of their members develop Alzheimers (National Institute on Aging, 2012; Alzheimers Association, 2014; Emanuel, 2013; Kolata, 2012; National Institute on Aging, 2012; Hishikawa et al., 2012; Mishra and Palanivelu, 2008; Weil, 2014; CTVNews.ca staff, 2013; Burne, 2013; Ji, 2013b). This whole undertaking also leaves me with a profound sense of gratitude and a sense of personal power, that I hold my well-being in my hands, armed with knowledge about these things. This also leaves me wanting to know more about how turmeric and other natural substances can address other health conditions that at present likewise bring so much unnecessary suffering to so many people. It is true what they say that the truth will set you free. I am left feeling grateful for the Internet and for its power to cut through misinformation, to make sure that people have alternative ways to cure themselves and to keep themselves healthy. I am astounded by how much positivity and power such new knowledge can bring to people. More than the informations potential power, what this kind of knowledge does to people, in my opinion, is to give them hope and a profound sense of self-confidence that after all the medical profession may not have the final word on disease. Old knowledge from ancient societies may have information that is useful in addressing present-day conditions such as terminal illnesses . I can also see that over time, with the Internet opening the floodgates of suppressed knowledge about ancient cures that work, that things will change, and that more and more people will be empowered too, like me, with these kinds of knowledge (National Institute on Aging, 2012; Alzheimers Association, 2014; Emanuel, 2013; Kolata, 2012; Monblot, 2012; Callaway, 2012; Gates, 2013; National Institute on Aging, 2012; Hishikawa et al., 2012; Mishra and Palanivelu, 2008; Weil, 2014; CTVNews.ca staff, 2013; Burne, 2013; Ji, 2013b). References Alzheimers Association (2014). What is Alzheimers? ALZ.org. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp Alzheimers Association (2014b). 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimers ALZ.org. Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp Burne, J. (2013). Can coconut oil ease Alzheimers? Families whove given it to loved ones swear by it. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2258665/Alzeimers-Can-coconut-oil-ease-Families-whove-given-loved-ones-swear-it.html Callaway, E. (2013). Gene mutation defends against Alzheimers disease. Nature. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/news/gene-mutation-defends-against-alzheimer-s-disease-1.10984 CTVNews.ca staff (2013). US study looks into the benefits of coconut oil on patients with Alzheimers. CTV News. Retrieved from http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/health-headlines/u-s-study-looks-into-the-benefits-of-coconut-oil-on-patients-with-alzheimer-s-1.1491406 Emanuel, E. (2013). Alzheimers Anxiety. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/opinion/sunday/alzheimers-anxiety.html?_r=0 Gates, S. (2013). Alzheimers Smell Test Uses Peanut Butter to Sniff Out the Disease. Huffington Post. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/09/alzheimers-smell-test-peanut-butter_n_4072892.html Hamblin, J. (2013). This is Your Brain on Gluten. The Atlantic. Retrieved from http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/12/this-is-your-brain-on-gluten/282550/ Hishikawa, N. et al. (2012). Effects of turmeric on Alzheimers disease with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Ayu- An International Quarterly Journal of Research on Ayurveda 33 (4). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3665200/ Ji, S. (2013). Turmeric Produces Remarkable Recovery in Alzheimers Patients. GreenMedInfo. Retrieved from http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/turmeric-produces-remarkable-recovery-alzheimers-patients Ji, S. (2013b). MCT Fats Found in Coconut Oil Boost Brain Function In Only One Dose. GreenMedInfo. Retrieved from http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/mct-fats-found-coconut-oil-boost-brain-function-only-one-dose Kolata, G. (2012). Path is Found for the Spread of Alzheimers. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/health/research/alzheimers-spreads-like-a-virus-in-the-brain-studies-find.html Mishra, S. and Palanivelu, K. (2008). The effect of curcumin (turmeric) on Alzheimers disease: An overview. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology 11 (1). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781139/ Monblot, G. (2012). Alzheimers could be the most catastrophic impact of junk food. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/sep/10/alzheimers-junk-food-catastrophic-effect National Institute on Aging (2012). Alzheimers Disease Fact Sheet. Alzheimers Disease Education and Referral Center. Retrieved from http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet Weil, A. (2014). 3 Reasons to Eat Turmeric. DrWeil.com. Retrieved from http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03001/Three-Reasons-to-Eat-Turmeric.html Read More