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Summary
Alzheimers is a medical condition resulting from progressive neuronal relapse in the brain. The world experiences increased pressure to combat or develop a better understanding of Alzheimers because more and more people continue to suffer from it as they age past fifty years. Many elderly Americans exhibit depression, apathy, and psychosis symptoms crucial for the condition. However, studies investigating the illness do not propose a comprehensive cure. Efforts towards the disorders management thus target a situation that no one understands comprehensively. Medics and the public can only investigate the various aspects of the illness to understand it better based on the available research. The present work thus endeavors to promote such an understanding by covering some of the most current neurological, social, and psychological aspects of the illness.
Alzheimers Facts
Alzheimers occurs when mental functions decline severely enough to disorient a normal humans life. The disease affects an individuals memory, learning capacity, communication, judgment ability, and daily activities undertakings (Cacace et al., 2019). Currently, the condition affects over five million Americans, mostly beyond fifty-five years ( Social Determinants, 2020). The risk of developing Alzheimers also increases with age among Americans, implying an increased threat for the growing Baby Boomers population. Extreme personality change often occurs at the onset of the illness among the aging population and lasts throughout the sickness period until death if not managed (Cacace et al., 2019). Such changes exhibit abnormal trends compared to those of usual aging persons.
People are living with Alzheimers further lack the ability to follow routes they used to without getting lost. Depression symptoms are also prevalent among the victims, leading to an isolated life. Decision-making becomes hard, and many become angry after ordinary gestures such as trying to help (Jia et al., 2021). The inability to recognize close family members and friends, and the loss of physical coordination, further constitute late-stage symptoms of the disease (Kales et al., 2019). Consequently, the victim becomes dependent on the family members during the last stages, with those lacking close help succumbing to the condition.
Neurological and physical exams form part of Alzheimers diagnosis methods. A patients medical history and family health reports also constitute a crucial part of the diagnosis process (Kales et al., 2019). Neurologists often suggest brain imaging to observe brain cell and structure changes, such as inflammations. However, physicians and psychiatrists apply a range of tests to rule out possible other medical conditions with symptoms similar to Alzheimers. Gil Extremera (2019) provides depression, UTIs, drug interaction, and thyroid conditions as illnesses bearing similar symptoms as Alzheimers. The absence of definite symptoms and testing methods to identify Alzheimers makes it one of the most feared age-related disorders in the U.S. and other developed economies (Jia et al., 2021). Some studies suggest both genetics and external factors play a significant role in the illnesss prevalence. However, studies do not offer comprehensive conclusions linking a particular gene, lifestyle, or exposure to some chemical substance to the disease.
Neurological Aspects
Alzheimers affects the brain and can be understood by its connection to the nervous system. The brain of a human being mainly consists of interconnected neurons that operate by passing electric or chemical signals to each other, thus transmitting messages to the different parts of the organ. Neurons also play a central role in disseminating brain information to the muscles, thus helping humans operate normally (Li et al., 2021). Almost all brain-related disorders, including Alzheimers, act by inhibiting the communication activities of the neurons. Busche et al. (2019) report that a standard humans brain shrinks as one ages, though such never leads to illness often. The scholars further mention that the shrinkage results from the fact that the brain cells never die or regenerate as quickly as the other body cells. Usually, the (brain) cells can last for years but keep deteriorating with time (Busche et al., 2019). Alzheimers worsened the wear and tear of the brain cells by making their natural repair, metabolism, and communication impossible, resulting in the cells eventual death or complete dysfunction.
Memory loss forms part of the initial symptoms of Alzheimers. The problem arises from the conditions destruction of neurons connections in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, the two brain sections involved in memory functions (Busche et al., 2019). Other affected parts include the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for reasoning, social behavior, and language ( What Happens, 2017). Neurological investigations, especially majoring in molecular and cellular changes in Alzheimers patients, provide a significantly deep understanding of the disorder. Crucial findings from such research endeavors put amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, chronic inflammation, and vascular issues at the center of the aging disease ( What Happens, 2017). Amyloid plaques refer to a pile of broken amyloid precursor protein deposits that inhibit the communication between neurons. The protein precursor naturally exists in the brain cells but becomes inhibitive during Alzheimers. Studies focusing on the protein molecules currently seek to determine whether the deposition occurs as a result or a cause of the disorder.
Social and Psychological Aspects of Alzheimers
Social issues touching on Alzheimers involve at least two broad subjects. Scholars investigating the aging condition focus on the disorders social triggers and consequences. The connection between Alzheimers with genetics partly implies that some people may exhibit an increased risk of the same relative to others (Busche et al., 2019). The argument further presupposes the role of social determinants of triggers among persons with vulnerable genes. The Social Determinants (2020) provide education, healthcare access, a built environment, and social isolation and loneliness as critical factors that increase the risk of Alzheimers. Education levels in the U.S. determine the quality of life lived by an individual and the potential to meet specific basic needs such as medical care.
The levels of education also determine peoples psychological stability and exposure to stress-related conditions. The Social Determinants (2020) purports that Alzheimers frequency in the U.S. is higher among people without a college degree than in educated citizens with elevated employability chances. The disorder is also more prevalent among Americans older than fifty years who live in loneliness and isolation. Being alone and impoverished with a weak, aged body often induces fear and depression among Baby Boomers. The issue increases the risk of depression and cardiovascular complications such as atherosclerosis, which is directly linked to Alzheimers.
Furthermore, the availability of training grounds and fitness facilities constitute the built environment facet. Kales et al. (2019) note that individuals assessing fitness elements experiencing reduce Alzheimers risk. Similarly, healthcare access allows Americans to receive preventive care and early diagnosis of medical conditions, thus allowing them to lead better life. Therefore, aging individuals lacking access to medical care encounter increased chances of conducting the illness (Kales et al., 2019). Looking at the social aspects provides crucial information on possible ways to reduce the disorders prevalence in the growing population of Baby Boomers.
In conclusion, Alzheimers is a medical condition that affects the aged by deteriorating their brain cells and making them dependent. The disorders risk increases with age; most victims show symptoms after fifty years. The relationship between ill health and age causes substantial fear and concern among U.S. scholars and researchers. The matter is related to the rising population of Baby Boomers, whose risk of Alzheimers threatens the nations health situation. Alzheimers has social, psychological, and neurologic aspects that gradually help scholars demystify the problem with time.
References
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