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How Alzheimer's Affects People’s Lives

Author: Vincent Guo

Editors: Justin Tai, Lillian Dong

Artist: Emily Hu


Memory is crucial to everyday life. We retain memories of our family, daily activities, and our identities, but what if we suddenly forget all this information? Imagine if one day you just woke up with no recollection of who you are and where you are. What would you do? Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that renders individuals unable to remember events. It can also impair a person’s ability to recall a conversation they had even just a minute ago. Memories are stored inside the Hippocampus, which is located in the temporal lobe (a part of the brain). Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible process, and a direct result of the deterioration of brain cells. Alzhimer’s disease is very common among adults over the age of 75. 

Beside memory loss, Alzehimers can also damage the performance of everyday tasks, cause constant confusion, and struggle with language and cognitive processes. People diagnosed with this disease may have trouble identifying people’s faces, and even their own family members. Concerning the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, it is evident that environment and genetics play a huge role. Some genes, like the APOE4 gene, will increase an individual’s chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore,  environmental influences that affect the chances of developing this disease include an unbalanced and unhealthy diet. Smoking and alcohol consumption also increase the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease. There are ways to lower your chances of getting Alzhimer - such as exercising regularly and taking care of your health by maintaining a proper diet. There are 3 main stages of Alzheimer’s disease. The early stage of Alzheimer’s disease is when people often tend to forget names, appointments, or conversations. During this early stage, they can be independent and live a normal life without anyone’s assistance. The second is the middle stage, where the condition becomes more severe. Memory is greatly affected; they can struggle significantly with recognizing the names or faces of close family members. They may also need assistance with everyday activities, such as getting dressed, eating, and managing their money. During this stage, the affected individuals’ behavior may change; they are often on edge, getting angry or upset more frequently. Finally, the  late stage of Alzhimer’s is when those with the disease are unable to communicate. Their memory loss worsens greatly - to the point where they aren’t able to recognize themselves. During this stage, they are completely unable to take care of themselves and need someone to look after them daily. It may take around several years to go from the first stage to the last.

The process of diagnosing Alzeheimer’s is a very complicated task. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are very similar to the symptoms of depression or other diseases. It is very tedious work, and specialists need to look into family history to make an accurate diagnosis, along with conducting numerous tests. Moreover, There is no one single test to determine if someone has Alzheimer’s or not. Doctors must do multiple cognitive tests, physical examinations, and neurological examinations before coming to a conclusion and diagnosing someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Some of those tests include brain scans, cognitive, neurological, and behavioral tests. Despite the fact there is no cure for Alzheimer's, there are some treatments. These treatments help manage symptoms of the disease and also reduces the rate at which the disease worsens.  Medications like Donepezil and Rivastigmine are also used - using these cholinesterase inhibitors which can help improve memory and thinking abilities. The cholinesterase blocks and stops the breakdown of acetylcholine, which plays a significant role in memory and cognitive function. There are also treatments for people who do not want to take medications, like cognitive therapy, memory aids, and behavioral interventions.

Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease. It can be very stressful, mentally and financially, for the people affected and their family members. Families of someone who has Alzheimer’s may feel like they are losing a loved one, as the illness can render someone unable to identify the faces and names of close family members. It also changes a person’s personality, making them completely different from their previous state. However, there are many researchers looking into Alzheimer's, and hopefully, they will find a cure for Alzheimer’s to help grieving and struggling families who suffer from this condition. 

Citations:

Mayo Clinic. “Alzheimer’s Disease.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education

and Research (MFMER), 30 Aug. 2023, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-

‌“Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia.” Dementia Society, 2025,

www.dementiasociety.org/alzheimers-disease-dementia?

‌National Institute on Aging. “Alzheimer’s Disease Fact Sheet.” National Institute on Aging,

National Institutes of Health, 5 Apr. 2023, www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-

‌“Alzheimer’s and Dementia.” Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, 2020,

‌Cleveland Clinic. “Alzheimer’s Disease.” Cleveland Clinic, 10 Dec. 2022,

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