什么是阿尔茨海默病?

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 阿尔茨海默病是一种进行性疾病, neurodegenerative disease that occurs when nerve cells in the brain die. 这种疾病通常会导致以下行为:

• 记忆、思维和行为受损

• 混乱

• 不安

• 性格和行为的改变

• 受损的判断

• 沟通障碍

• 不能听从指示

• 语言恶化

• Impaired thought processes that involve visual and spatial awareness

• 情感冷漠

阿尔茨海默氏症与其他形式的痴呆症有何不同?

Alzheimer's disease is distinguished from other forms of 痴呆 by characteristic changes in the brain that are visible only upon microscopic examination during autopsy. Brains affected by Alzheimer's disease often show presence of the following:

• 神经细胞内的纤维缠结(神经原纤维缠结)

• 成群退化的神经末梢(神经性斑块)

Another characteristic of Alzheimer's disease is the reduced production of certain brain chemicals necessary for communication between nerve cells, 尤其是乙酰胆碱, 还有去甲肾上腺素, 5 -羟色胺, 和生长激素抑制素.

阿尔茨海默病的病因

科学家们还不完全了解导致这种疾病的原因, 尽管年龄, 个人健康, 家族病史, genetics and abnormal protein deposits in the brain are believed to contribute.

The National Institute on Aging says that suspected causes often include the following:

• 年龄及家族史

• 某些基因

• 大脑中异常的蛋白质沉积

• 其他风险和环境因素

• 免疫系统问题

阿尔茨海默氏症的警告信号

第一个, most common warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is changes in short-term memory that may disrupt daily life, 比如忘记单词或名字, 或者如何到达一个熟悉的地方. Familiar tasks, like cooking or paying bills, may become challenging.

根据阿尔茨海默病协会的说法, the following are the most common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. 症状可能包括:

• Memory loss that affects job skills, especially short-term memory loss

• 难以执行熟悉的任务

• 语言障碍

• 对时间和地点的迷失

• 判断力差或下降

• 抽象思维的问题

• 忘记放东西

• 情绪或行为的变化

• 性格变化

• 丧失主动性

• 失去识别他人的能力, 甚至是熟悉的人, 比如他或她的孩子或配偶, 当疾病发展到严重阶段时

阿尔茨海默病诊断

诊断阿尔茨海默氏症没有单一的测试方法. Specialists can rule out other similar conditions and diagnosis Alzheimer’s disease with about 95 percent accuracy. 确认疾病的唯一方法是尸检.

Examination and evaluation are essential in determining whether the 痴呆 is the result of a treatable illness. In addition to a complete medical history and extensive neurological motor and sensory exam, diagnostic procedures for Alzheimer's disease may include the following:

• 精神状态测验. This is a brief and simple test of memory and some other common cognitive or thinking skills; it is usually part of a complete neurological exam

• 神经心理测试

• 血液测试

• 腰椎穿刺(脊髓穿刺). A procedure performed by inserting a hollow needle into the lower back (lumbar spine)

• 验尿. Laboratory examination of urine for various cells and chemicals, 比如红细胞, 白细胞, 感染, 或者过量的蛋白质

• 胸部x光片. A diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, 骨头, 把器官放到胶片上

• 脑电图(EEG). A procedure that records the brain's continuous electrical activity by means of electrodes attached to the scalp

• 计算机断层扫描(也称为CT或CAT扫描). A diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, 或轴向, 身体的图像(通常称为切片). CT扫描显示身体任何部位的详细图像, 包括骨头, 肌肉, 脂肪, 和器官. CT扫描比普通的x光扫描更详细.

• 磁共振成像(MRI). A diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, 射频, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body

• 基因检测. Some genetic testing is available, especially in some research settings. Because there is no cure or effective treatment for Alzheimer's, the decision to undergo genetic testing is one that requires careful consideration and counseling with a specialist in genetics.

阿尔茨海默病治疗

目前，阿尔茨海默氏症还没有治愈的方法. The disease progresses as nerve cells in the brain are damaged and can no longer function normally, 这种恶化是无法逆转的.

Physical exercise and social activity are most important in managing Alzheimer’s disease, 适当的营养也是如此, 健康维护, 还有一个平静有序的环境. Medications can sometimes help with cognitive and behavioral symptoms.

Specific treatment for Alzheimer's disease will be determined by your doctor based on:

• 你的年龄，整体健康状况和病史

• 疾病的范围

• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

• 对疾病病程的预期

• 你的意见或偏好

此时此刻, 阿尔茨海默氏症无法治愈, 没有办法减缓这种疾病的发展, and no treatment available to reverse the deterioration of Alzheimer's disease. 新的研究结果给人们带来了希望, and several drugs are being studied in clinical trials to determine if they can slow the progress of the disease or improve memory for a period of time.

There are some medications available to assist in managing some of the most troubling symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, 包括以下内容:

• 抑郁症

• 行为障碍

• 失眠

在控制疾病方面, 体育锻炼和社会活动很重要, 适当的营养也是如此, 健康维护, 还有一个平静有序的环境.