Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease

“I had no idea that someone that young could even get Alzheimer’s. The speed and aggressiveness with which it attacked was something I really didn’t have any context for… My image of it was like, You forgot stuff. But that is really the tip of the iceberg. You forget how to walk and move and talk.” - Seth Rogen
Alzheimer’s is a disease that many people have heard of, but few really know much about. Imagine not being able to remember your loved ones and friends or even how to do simple tasks like dressing yourself and brushing your hair. Now imagine having to dress your mother, who rarely remembers you anymore. This is the reality of life for millions of older people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease and the families that care for them. Alzheimer’s causes cognitive function to decrease gradually overtime. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia - affecting around 5 million Americans (alz.org). It is the most fatal disease affecting older people and needs to be taken seriously.
As with any disease there are factors that may put one at more risk for developing the disease. The most common risk factor is age. After 65, the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every 5 years - this means as you age you are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Although, in early onset, people can be diagnosed as early as in their thirties - there are 500,000 people in America living with early onset Alzheimer’s. Being female is another risk factor. Women are more likely than men to be living with Alzheimer’s. Two-thirds of people living with Alzheimer’s in America are women. Another risk factor is genetic predisposition or family history. Some avoidable risk factors involve head injury and heart health...

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...re for the disease.
In conclusion, Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide. It strips people of, not only, their memories, but of their dignity and independence as well. It is also a huge drain on the families of the people with the disease. This disease is deadly and there is no known cure. We can only hope that in the future scientists find a cure for this horrible disease.

Sources

"Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association." Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia | Alzheimer's Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2014.

"Alzheimer’s & Dementia Prevention." : How to Reduce Your Risk and Protect Your Brain. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.

"Alzheimer's Disease." Alzheimer's Stages: How the Disease Progresses. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 May 2014.

"Alzheimer's Disease Stages: Mild, Moderate, and Severe." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 29 May 2014.