Take the Alzheimer’s Test

by Kay McDonaldOct 23, 2013Resources

Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that impacts our brains. The disease is poorly understood even today. As a result, Alzheimer’s Awareness has never been so important. My friend Katy Mueller and her husband Mike are actively involved with TGen and their Alzheimer’s program. She sent me this test to do and it was very revealing.

Alzheimer’s begins slowly and gets worse over time. In fact, it is the main reason for many diagnoses of dementia. It is important to realize that Alzheimer’s may be genetic, but that doesn’t exclude people. The disease often begins with memory loss and eventually grows to include many problems. For example, problems with language, mood swings, and behavioral problems. With this in mind, as the disease progresses many people can withdraw from family and social life. After diagnosis, many people have a life expectancy of 3 to 9 years. The disease takes its toll on bodily functions eventually leading to death.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Is Key

In general, there is no cure for this disease. Unfortunately, there aren’t even treatments to stop or reverse its progression. Surprisingly there aren’t even supplements or medications that decrease the risk. Each person is at the mercy of their genetic makeup. Sufferers can often feel as though they are a burden to their caregivers. For this reason, the disease is able to affect more than just the brain it inhabits.

On the positive side, scientists are making great strides with detection and someday a cure. For one thing, a misdiagnosis happens. Often disguised as simple aging. In other words, just something that happens to us as we get older. For this reason, Alzheimer’s awareness is incredibly important. The more we know the better we can help treat and eventually rid people of this disease.

My friend Katy sent me this test to do and it was very revealing. My father had Alzheimer’s and I encourage everyone to educate themselves on their risk factors. Not to mention ways to support research to cure it, as most likely someone in your family could become affected.