Identify Distinctions Among MCU, Dementia, and Alzheimer's
1. Topic

· Distinctions Among MCU, Dementia, and Alzheimer's

2. Information about medical conditions you are addressing

Dementia: Dementia is a syndrome characterized by diminished cognitive abilities, memory loss, and reduced thinking capacity. Dementia-related symptoms affect the day-to-day activities of the victim. Alzheimer's, a condition that causes brain cells to degenerate, is the leading cause of dementia. A slow decline of memory destroys thinking skills, and it translates into disrupted daily life. Inability to live an independent life affects the relationships, and as a result, the victims feel neglected by close family members or friends. Dementia can also occur due to other diseases such as thyroid or lack of essential vitamins in the body, but the good thing is this kind of condition can be reversed (AA, 2017).

Dementia can manifest different signs, but common ones include: Patients Being forgetful, losing track of personal belonging such as a wallet, Getting late in paying bills, Problems planning and making meals, Skipping booked appointments, and difficulties spending time in the neighborhood.

(AA, 2017)

Dementia symptoms are not an overnight thing but a progressive change that happens over time. It is possible to notice the condition early, especially if it's from a close person. Any change in cognitive capabilities should be taken seriously, and it is advisable to seek help from a doctor. Seeking professional assistance at the early stages allows the doctors to diagnose treatable cases. Dementia-related to natural causes such as old age may not be treated but presenting the issue at an early stage allows the victim to have management sessions. Memory therapies can help improve the situation, and victims can also participate in clinical experiments, which may help manage the condition (AA, 2017).

Causes

The root cause of dementia is damaged brain cells and their connections. Broken connections affect the normal way cells communicate, and as a result, normal brain functioning is affected. The condition is noticed in victims' life through a change of behavior and cognitive capacity (AA, 2017).

The brain is entrusted with different human body responsibilities, including making judgments, thinking, remembering, and solving problems. Damage to the brain affects all these functions, and it's no longer possible to live a normal life (AA, 2017).

Alzheimer's: Alzheimer's is an irreversible brain condition characterized by a damaged brain. It happens progressively, and an indication of having the disease is a decline in thinking capacity to the extent of being unable to live a normal life. The condition is prevalent in people aged 60 years and above(late-onset-type). Young people can also be affected by the condition, and for victims between 30-60 years, we term the state as early-onset-Alzheimer's. Many cases of dementia are linked to Alzheimer's diseases, especially for older adults (NIA, 2017).

Alzheimer's disease may also exhibit in the form of neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain. Neurons connection disruption is also considered a sign of Alzheimer's disease. Nerve cells(neurons) acts as the massager between different sections of the brain. It also sends signals to other organs in the body, including muscles. Alzheimer's disease can be caused by various brain changes, with some being difficult to explain because of their complexity (NIA, 2017).

Signs of Alzheimer's:

Alzheimer's diseases affect the victims' productivity in a big way, and surviving without help becomes very difficult. Doing everyday tasks, such as cooking or driving, becomes a problem. Living with victims demands higher understanding since they keep asking the same questions, getting lost at times, misplacing items, and getting confused over and over. As the condition worsens, victims feel isolated, and many get stressed (NIA, 2017).

Causes and risks

· Old age is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. A significant percentage of older adults suffer from the condition but not all. This means it is not a normal process of aging but a disease that attacks older people more.

· Alzheimer's disease is also linked to some genetic factors. Coming from a family with several cases of the condition should worry...…that come with strange symptoms. When individuals learn they have Alzheimer's, they are advised to join different programs, and many positive changes happen (AA, 2018). 

Cost Savings

· Managing disease at an early stage is always cheaper compared to an advanced stage. It is challenging to manage victims who have lived with Alzheimer's disease for years. A study on the cost of treating Alzheimer's disease-related symptoms in the US showed that if an early diagnosis is made, a total of $7 trillion to $7.9 trillion would be saved (AA, 2018).

5. Intervention/help available for the affected person

Management procedures for helping individuals with untreatable cases should be put in place. Victims showing severe symptoms should receive first attention, but it is essential to help people with mild symptoms to stop advancement. A combination of the following measures can help in the management of dementia:

· Communication is on its psychological therapy. Having discussion helps the support team notice any changes in behavior to help in good time. Communication is also a way of testing whether other vital organs such as ears and eyes are functioning (BPS, 2007)

· people living with dementia should keep refreshing the everyday skills such as washing and dressing to promote self-reliance.

· Support technology can be used to improve the lives of people living with dementia. A good example is the use of reminder gadgets. Gadgets such as mobile phones can be set to remind people of different activities at different times.

· The family should adjust the environment to favor the victims. People living with dementia might face some challenges living in a normal environment, and therefore, it is important to make necessary modifications to ensure they are safe. Adaptive aids, such as sensory deficits, can make the victim's life easier.

· Promoting fitness is essential in dementia patients' life to ensure their body parts are active and strong. Being strong means a victim will be self-dependent, and they will only seek help where it is essential (BPS, 2007).…