The symptoms of corticobasal degeneration:
1) 1) Movement. One side of the body can be hard to move because of muscle stiffness, spasms, and tremors. Balance problems can lead to falls. A lack of coordination can cause a shuffling gait. Jim had what is known as an “alien” limb and balance problems later in the disease.
2) Speech. Halting speech and difficulty forming words. Jim had aphasia.
3) Cognition. The damaged and shrinking brain causes a person to have memory loss, confusion, difficulty performing daily tasks, and problems finding correct words. Jim often used to say the exact opposite of what he meant and used repetitive phrases instead of meaningful conversation.
4) Personality. Jim’s personality changed drastically. Sometimes he would be extremely agitated or aggressive, especially if he wasn’t feeling well. When he could walk unassisted, he tended to pace or wander. Other times, he was docile and quiet.
You can probably see how corticobasal degeneration could be mistaken for Alzheimer’s. An inherited gene is usually the cause of younger or early-onset Alzheimer’s. Corticobasal degeneration is not considered an inherited disease, but can run in families. The most common cause is a buildup of the protein tau. The hallmarks of Alzheimer’s are beta-amyloid protein plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles that form when tau protein accumulates inside the neurons and impairs the communication between cells.
I recently read an interesting article about Alzheimer’s and a related dementia in elderly persons. Three studies have focused on HS-Aging (hippocampal sclerosis in aging people), a type of dementia typically found in persons 85 and older.
HS-Aging is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. The reason for the misdiagnosis is simple—Alzheimer’s is the most common of the hundreds of types of dementia. A large study disclosed that at autopsy, about 20% of elderly persons with dementia had HS-Aging. Almost none of the study group had received a diagnosis of HS-Aging during life.
Arteriolosclerosis is a form of hardening and loss of elasticity of small arteries in the brain. Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and aging are risk factors. People used to refer to this disease as “hardening of the arteries.” Persons with HS-Aging generally have higher cognitive ability than those with Alzheimer’s disease and are more fluent verbally than those with frontotemporal degeneration.
A healthy lifestyle reduces your risk of developing dementia and/or cardiovascular disease. Change is never easy, but implementing some healthy habits can help you physically and mentally.
Physical Activity: Get up out of your chair and move! Aerobic activity can be a brisk walk, riding a bike, doing yard work, or getting a workout at the gym. Lifting small weights or resistance training can strengthen your muscles.
Healthy Diet: Follow the Mediterranean diet guidelines and increase vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and beans. Eat moderate amounts of poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. Limit sweets and sugary beverages.
Social Engagement: People who are socially active are healthier and happier than loners. Play cards, enjoy outings with friends, volunteer, or join a club. Spend time with people who raise your spirits.
Health and Safety: Get a checkup annually and visit your doctor when you notice a new condition or symptom. Watch your numbers: blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight. Clear your home of tripping hazards and use grab bars or walking aides as needed.
You may have celebrated 70, 80, or 90 birthdays, but your spirit can be as young as you want it to be. The power of positive thinking can overcome the negatives that life may throw at you.
sources: https://alzheimersweekly.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3946156/
Copyright © July 2024 by L.S. Fisher
http://earlyonset.blogspot.com
#ENDALZ
No comments:
Post a Comment