This Weeks Conversation: Confronting Alzheimer's Disease & the impact of opening research
Download MP3There has been some evidence linking the disease to the genetic make up of the individual. This week our panel discusses the reality of dealing with Alzheimers disease.
Some family members who suffer from a cardiovascular disease are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimers, as are those with a history of cardiac problems. Another common factor that has been proven to increase the risk of Alzheimers is depression. However, there is no solid proof linking the two. Stress and high levels of anxiety are also known to trigger cognitive decline in some people.
Symptoms of Alzheimers are varied and often vague. The most common symptom is a slowed mental process that usually starts in middle age. This is also known as 'neuropsychological amnesia'. This means the sufferer's cognitive functions become deteriorating. In more severe cases, patients can have trouble remembering even their own name. The symptoms of Alzheimers include loss of memory, verbal skills, slow thinking, and poor judgment, along with other cognitive impairments.
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