I am citizen from Washington, and data from research indicates that the State has highest mortality rates from Alzheimer disease. Information from the National Vital Statistics System indicates that for every 100,000 people who were tested 46.3 deaths occurred. This rate exceeds the National rate of 25.1 deaths for every 100,000 people (Kang, 2013). Mortality rates rises with an increment in the age of people, but this information as a result of lack of information by the citizens and stigma placed on patients. According to Sandee LaMotte, on CNN (2015), the National Association of Alzheimer released a report to state that, only 55% of patients and caregivers said that, their doctors never told them that they have this devastating disease. This paper, therefore, provides an insight into the general information surrounding this dementia so as to expel any health related misconceptions on Alzheimer disease.

What is Alzheimer disease?

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2014), Alzheimer is one of the most common dementia diseases in the world. It is accompanied by a progressive memory loss, which leads to the loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment. Usually, Alzheimer affects parts of the mind that organizes thought, memory, and language. The brain effect is because of the destruction of nerve cells of the brain called neurons. As a result, the neurons may die and in many cases it seriously affects an individual’s ability to perform normal routines, like walking and swallowing. (The National Association of Alzheimer, 2014)

 Several brain changes result into Alzheimer disease. These changes include: the accumulation of the protein beta-amyloid outside neurons (called beta-amyloid plaques) and accumulation of an abnormal form of the protein tau in neurons (called tau tangles). Data transmission at the synapses starts to be unsuccessful, synapses decline in the number and then the neurons die eventually.

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer disease?

Difficulty in remembering recent conversations, names or events is often an early clinical symptom. Secondly, apathy and depression are other symptoms that are recognizable in early stages. Later symptoms include impaired communication, disorientation, confusion, poor judgment, behavior changes and ultimately, difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking. (National Association of Alzheimer disease, (2014) See also www. Alz.org/10 signs)

What are the known causes of Alzheimer Disease?

According to the center of disease control and prevention, scientists do not know what causes Alzheimer. There are several causes of Alzheimer disease and age is most notable reason of the ailment. Further, a family’s genetics contributes to the disease. In this factor, scientists have associated genetics to the cause of Alzheimer disease in a family. Scientists are also researching to give evidence on the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, like high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, reduced level of vitamin foliate as the risk factors to Alzheimer disease. There is mounting substantiation to verify that communal, physical and mental activities to be protective factors to Alzheimer disease.

Researchers have indicated that lack of formal education increases the risk of Alzheimer disease.

What are the treatment mechanisms available?

Although there is no known treatment for Alzheimer disorder, scientists have maintained that management of the disease can substantially reduce the effects in patients diagnosed. The mechanisms for managing the ailment include: Helping patients maintain their mental functioning, managing their behavioral symptoms, and slowing the Alzheimer symptoms.

            According to Health Day (2015), scientists have indicated that MIND eating plan significantly reduces the risk factors for Alzheimer disease. According to the findings, patients that stuck to this Mediterranean diet, reduced the risk factors of Alzheimer by 53% while those who did remain to the diet “moderately well” had the risk factors reduce by 35%.The eating plan comprises of healthy grains, vegetables, beans, poultry and fish. As they do this, they should make sure that less healthy red meat, butter, and sweets are eliminated or eaten at limited levels. (See also http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_151718.html)

Drug therapies have been initiated from all angles of the state. Some the drugs include, Donepezil (brand name Aricept), Alantamine (Reminyl), Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Tacrine (Cognex) see http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php.

In Washington, the Washington University under the umbrella of Alzheimer Disease Research Center is partnering with local communities to investigate the fundamental biological processes underlying Alzheimer disease and the risk factors that comprise it. They perform various clinical trials like the Nourish AD, the LZAX and much more so as to increase their findings on possible treatments and prevention of Alzheimer disorder. (See also http://depts.washington.edu/adrcweb/)

Further, services from Memory care facility help in training and management of the disease in Washington. A comprehensive treatment mechanism is offered in this service which ensures that Patients get quality care and at reduced costs. There are many more services which provide the same service in Washington. For more details visit http://wwwa.alzheimerslocator.com/form

Who are the most affected people?

The most affected are the elderly women. Out of every 3 American women, aged 65 years and above, 2 of them have been diagnosed with Alzheimer.

Moreover, individuals with a few years of formal education are at higher risk of contracting Alzheimer disease than the most educated. Researchers believe that, people who have several years education, their mind builds a cognitive reserve that enables individuals to compensate for alterations in the mind. The alterations are known to cause the symptoms of Alzheimer disease.

African Americans and the Hispanics are at higher risk of deaths from Alzheimer disorder than white Americans (Alzheimer Association, 2014).According to the National Alzheimer Association 2014, the following data was obtained.

30% of Alzheimer patients have heart disease, and 29% were diagnosed with diabetes. http://www.alzheimers.net/resources/alzheimers-statistics/

Why does Washington register high death rates from Alzheimer disorder?

Lead by North Dakota at 48.9% Washington stands at 45% death rates recorded from death Certificates in the country. There are several attributing factors to the high double digits of deaths. They include:

The unavoidable fear that comes with the diagnosis of Alzheimer, stigma and emotional distress makes doctors to restrain from revealing the diagnostic results to their patients.

Effects of Alzheimer disease

The national death rate as a result of Alzheimer disease stands at an astonishing 68%. The elderly are the most affected with rates rising by 6% by 2014 for people age 65 to 74, 32 percent for age 75 to 84 and 48 percent for age 84 and above (National Association of Alzheimer).

Recommendations for Washington

The public should be encouraged to support the fight against the disease by caring for the Alzheimer patients, and formal education should be practiced from all quarters of the state.

Further research is needed in line with the current guidelines on diagnosis of Alzheimer disease from the National Institute of Alzheimer in Washington with a collaboration of local communities.

Lifestyle changes should be encouraged from all quarter of the state of Washington. In other words, a Mediterranean diet should be encouraged to the patients.