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Building an Alzheimer Proof Body

On May 19, 2012, in Alzheimers, by alzheimers

Dementia is a term commonly given to people who show symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease such as memory loss, diminished intellectual capacity, and changes in personality. Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people each year in the United States and has a devastating impact not only on the patient but everyone who is close to that person. Seeing a loved one slowly fade away from society and inevitably lose all recollection of one’s and identity is a tough pill to swallow. What many are not aware of though is that a deficiency of DHA, an essential fatty acid that most of us don’t get enough of, is frequently linked in patients with Alzheimer’s. In today’s world of nutrient depleted and severely processed foods it is vital that we get the proper amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in our diet every day. But what has happened in our society that is causing deficiencies in essential nutrients to pop up more and more during one’s life span?

Let’s think for a moment about the standard American diet of today. When you think about the average breakfast, lunch, and dinner, what pops into your mind first? High in fat? High in sodium? High in sugar? All of the above? Sure of course! The “standard American diet” (SAD) of today consists of approximately one half the caloric intake in FATS, twenty times the recommended daily intake for SODIUM (salt), and as much as five pounds of SUGAR consumed per week (65% of our diet in the form of sugar). Compare this to the mere three pounds of sugar that we consumed per year back in 1960. Almost seven out of every ten people in America are overweight and one half of those are obese (30 or more lbs. overweight). With those facts it is easy to see why a simple little Omega-3 fatty acid is commonly lacking in our diet. But can it help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s? Many health experts say yes.

Every piece of fat that we digest, saturated or unsaturated, contains one or more fatty acids that consist of a fat particle and an acid particle. Two of these fatty acids, Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) and Omega-6 (linoleic acid) are considered “essential” because our body is unable to manufacture them. It is the two derivatives of the Omega-3 fatty acid, EPA and DHA that our diet frequently lacks sufficient amounts of. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an Omega-3 fatty acid that our brain is comprised mostly of. Supplying the brain with proper amounts of DHA helps collectively promote healthy brain function and combat memory loss, dementia, and other health problems. DHA comes from our food in the form of a fatty acid compound that is found in cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines. Unknown to many though, are the seeds of the flax plant that contain the most Omega 3 fatty acids per ounce and a perfect balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 quantities.

Flax seeds may be the answer to Omega-3 deficiencies and resolve the problem of DHA deficiencies in patients with Alzheimer’s. Will a daily intake of flax seeds or flax oil help delay or mitigate the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s? Let’s just say there isn’t a brain doctor around that recommends against a daily flax supplement, especially in older men and women. Let’s take a quick look at this wondrous plant.

The flax seed comes from the flax plant, botanical name “Linum usitatissimum”, also known as; “common flax”, “linseed”, “lint bells”, and “winterlien”. Flax is classified as an annual herb that grows in the northwestern United States, Canada, and Europe. The plant produces two blue or violet-blue flowers per branch. These flowers turn into the fruits that house the seeds with approximately eight to ten seeds per fruit. The smooth flax seeds are shiny brown and partially flattened on each side. There is also a golden flax seed that a similar flax plant yields. Both the gold and brown flax seeds have similar nutritional values. The amazing thing about flax seeds are their unusually high levels of Omega-3 essential fatty acids. Flax seeds consist of approximately fifty-four percent Omega-3 fatty acids and five percent Omega-6 fatty acids making them the best foods in the world to eat for proper fatty acid balancing. The fact that so many studies have found Alzheimer’s patients deficient in Omega-3′s makes flax a crucial part of one’s daily nutritional needs.

Taking one tablespoon of organic flax oil per day or two tablespoons of organic seeds will fulfill this need. If the seeds are used then they must be chewed thoroughly for proper absorption. Grinding flax seeds just before using them is beneficial too, but one should only grind up what they need for the day otherwise the extra ground seeds will quickly lose their nutrients due to oxidation from heat, light, and air. Adding flax to your daily diet is a healthy decision by anyone and should be made mandatory for folks over sixty years of age. Flax seeds also provide additional health benefits due to the high fiber content and other healthful nutrients such as vitamins, lignans, minerals, and more.

Others tips for building an Alzheimer Proof body are to avoid eating anything with aluminum as an ingredient or cooking with any type of aluminum cookware. Recent studies have shown increased levels of aluminum build-up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. Avoid all foods and products that contain aluminum. This also includes body hygiene products such as deodorants that contain aluminum additives. Choosing natural made products will address this problem swiftly. Remember to always read the ingredients label thoroughly on all products before making a purchase. Any ingredient that contains the word “aluminum” should be avoided.

A vitamin B supplement should also be considered as an addition the one’s daily diet. Multiple studies done over the last decade have revealed low levels of vitamin B12 in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s. Interestingly, vitamin B12 requires a unique two step process to be absorbed and digested properly and as people age this two step process can be worn down which results in less and less B12 being absorbed eventually leading to a deficiency. Using a quality B complex supplement may help delay or deter any deficiency. Remember to consult a health expert before beginning any type of exercise or nutritional program.

For more information on this article or any other Green Gossip articles by the folks at Florida Herb House, please visit http://www.FloridaHerbHouse.com or http://www.SharpWebLabs.com.

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Coffee as an anti-aging therapy? It wakes us up in the morning, it’s the midafternoon pause that refreshes, and it’s the ideal accompaniment to after-dinner everything, from dessert to discussions. We know it makes us feel better … but can it actually help our brains function better?

It looks like the answer is yes. A University of North Carolina study on the effects of drinking coffee concluded that caffeine is a safe and reliable drug that could potentially play a role in the therapies against neurological disorders. It is even believed that drinking coffee could help prevent Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most wide-spread and devastating of all age-related disorders.

How coffee protects the brain

Coffee’s protective powers center on what medical experts call the “blood brain barrier”, a natural filter that guards the central nervous system against potentially dangerous chemicals that may be carried through the rest of the bloodstream. It is believed that high cholesterol levels in the blood have an adverse effect of this filter, weakening the barrier against these chemicals and leaving the brain vulnerable to damage.

The University of North Dakota study showed that after three months of a high-cholesterol diet, the blood brain barrier in rabbits that had ingested the equivalent of just one cup of coffee per day was far more intact than the barrier in those that had been given no caffeine.

Research on Alzheimer’s disease indicates that a weak or “leaky” blood brain barrier that makes cholesterol damage to the brain possible is among the factors that can trigger or contribute to the disease.

Caffeine shown to reverse Alzheimer’s symptoms

A recent University of Florida study even suggests that caffeine could actually reverse some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The study used mice bred to develop symptoms of the disease, which were tested to confirm that they were exhibiting the same kind of memory impairment that human Alzheimer’s sufferers experience.

Half the mice were then put on a daily regimen that included the caffeine equivalent of five cups coffee added to their drinking water, while half the mice had no caffeine added to their water.

After two months both groups of mice were retested, and it was found that the mice that had been drinking the caffeine-added water performed significantly better on memory and thinking skills, actually testing as well as mice that had not been bred to develop dementia. The mice that had been drinking non-caffeinated water showed no improvement in the tests.

Even more encouragingly, it was found that the brains of the mice given caffeine showed as much as 50% reduction in levels of beta amyloid protein, which is the basis of the destructive plaque that builds up in the brains of dementia patients. The research suggested that caffeine had this effect because it suppresses brain inflammation that leads to over-production of the protein.

Experts warn that while these results are extremely positive, more research is needed to determine whether caffeine has the same effects on people.

Coffee is just one of many surprising new tools in the anti-aging arsenal; did you know that vitamin D plays an important role in protecting brain health and fitness? Find out more at Anti-Aging Therapies – http://your-health-now.info/anti-aging/anti-aging-therapies-vitamin-d-for-the-brain. And something as simple as taking a nap can help you stay young – read more at Better Over 50 – http://betterover50.info/napping-the-all-natural-anti-aging-therapy.

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This morning I watched an inspirational movie by Dan Pink on “What truly motivates human beings”. I couldn’t help relating it to my husband, Dave, with Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), or to anyone with Alzheimer’s & related dementias.

Dave was officially diagnosed with FTD 4 years ago. For the first few months after the doctor’s visit, he progressed quickly. Maybe the studies were right about the life expectancy being 3-8 years after diagnosis. I didn’t want to believe it.

So here we are 4 years later, and I am happy to report that Dave is doing extremely well. Except for losing his driver’s license, he has stabilized. Dave is able to do his own personal care, take the dogs for different hikes every day, make his own breakfast and lunch, and can participate in most conversations.

I have my theories about why he is doing well, and Dan Pink’s video covers a few of them. He talks about studies showing that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the chief motivators for people. In other words, they are critical for thriving; for living your best life.

How does this relate to Alzheimer’s and dementia? With a decline in mental and physical abilities, people with dementia are having many things taken away–ability to remember, communicate, dress, eat, drive, and the list goes on. They are losing their autonomy because other people are deciding when they bathe, what they wear, and what they eat. I agree there are many times when it is safer and necessary to make decisions for someone with dementia, but I feel it is important to give them as much autonomy as possible. For instance, Dave has a pair of black ‘clodhopper’ shoes that he likes to wear with his jacket and tie for weddings and other social events. Although I would love for him to wear another pair of shoes, I have to remember to keep this in perspective, and let him decide what clothes are best for him. It certainly doesn’t matter in the big scheme of things, so I am working on not wasting my energy on it.

Mastery or learning something new, and having fun is another important motivator. It is similar to someone learning to play golf on the weekends. Why would someone spend so much of their precious free time trying to sink a little white ball in a hole? Because it is fun and there is the challenge of getting better. This reminds me of Dave and his duck carving. About 6 years ago, he was a beautiful carver on his way to becoming a Master Carver. But with his hand tremors and his inability to remember how to carve the fine details of the wings, the quality of his work has dropped below a novice level. Yet he continues to subscribe to duck carving magazines, and looks forward to the next carving competition. It isn’t easy for me to see how much the quality of his work has diminished, but again, I have to remind myself that Dave is having fun and it gives him a reason for getting up in the morning. Besides, he isn’t bothered that he no longer wins ribbons.

All of us have a purpose for being here on earth–regardless of our physical, mental or emotional health. I will never forget one night when Dave was heading off to bed and I asked him how his day went. He said it was excellent. I was surprised and asked him what was so good about it. Because I washed your car. Can you imagine? Dave is doing me a favor, yet it makes a great day for him. Every day I give him a simple list of things to do. The only difference from his previous ‘honey-do’ lists are they change, as his abilities change. It’s a win-win.

If you remember 3 keys–autonomy, mastery, and purpose when you are caring for those with dementia, then you will be doing your best–to help them live their best.

4 years ago Holly Eburne’s husband, Dave, was diagnosed with Frontotemporal dementia. Holly’s focus is shifting from travelling with Canadian National athletes, as a Sport Physical Therapist (29 years), to teaching and coaching care-givers and families with dementia. Holly has discovered tools and systems for living a balanced, happy life regardless of the circumstances. Sign up for her free newsletter: Dementia Hope Tips for Caregivers on her website, http://www.hollyeburne.com.

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Forgetfulness is an illness of our time. With so many things to think of and remember, our lives are controlled by diaries and high-tech cell phones to help us remember. Forgetting things is also a normal part of growing older and is evident in the aging process. Instances of forgetfulness are not necessarily the start of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is good to know what the symptoms are.

There difference between being forgetful or absent minded and Alzheimer’s disease is in the severeness of the condition.

Memory Loss

People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease forget recently learned information. They find it impossible to remember any of the information at any later stage. If this happens regularly it can be a sure sign of the disease.

Daily Tasks

Alzheimer sufferer’s will stop in the middle of a task, such as preparing a meal, brushing teeth or even walking, without being able to continue. These are not strange or difficult tasks, but things they have done for years without any difficulty. We all sometimes walk into a room with no idea why we went there. Usually when you retract your steps, you will remember the reason for going there in the first place. This is not the same thing. An Alzheimer sufferer will, many times, not be able to continue without help.

Time and Place

Not knowing where they are or what day of the week it is and not being able to recall it, is another very typical symptom. It can easily happen that the sufferer can’t find the way back to his or her own home where they have been staying for years.

Other symptoms that might be an indication of Alzheimer’s are changes in personality, serious misplacement of things, mood changes, the inability to think abstract and passiveness. Sufferer’s can sometimes sit for hours in front of the TV without any interest in doing anything else. They also tend to sleep more than normal.

Until now numerous studies have been done to find out what causes Alzheimer’s and to find possible cures. No cure has been found and the only possible cure is to prevent it. Alzheimer’s is closely connected to brain activity and people who regularly exercise their brains might have a better chance to prevent it.

After retirement people should find alternative methods to stimulate their brains. Crossword puzzles or board games that are stimulating and require decision making techniques will keep the brain active. A healthy lifestyle, which includes healthy food choices and enough physical activity, also proofs to prevent or at least slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s.

Jared Wright is a passionate writer who has been sharing his articles online for five years. He has many interests including a new website that shares reviews about Motorized Wheel Chair and Used Wheel Chairs.

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When Dead Relatives Come to Visit

On May 19, 2012, in Alzheimers, by alzheimers

When people are approaching death – maybe weeks, even months sometimes – it’s not uncommon for them to experience dead relatives coming to visit. The husband who died years before. Mom and Dad visiting an 88-year-old daughter. People with Alzheimer’s and other dementias also have these visitors.

For family members, who may not know or be involved with other elders as they are with their own parents, can be really upset by these dead visitors. However, there’s no need to be upset. They’re just passing visitors, or visitations, or waking dreams or – you decide. One thing they are NOT is crazy. They’re not even unusual manifestations.

They’re so usual that someone like myself, who spends a fair amount of time being with elders who are dying, or going to get there, are familiar with the phenomenon. Ask any hospice nurses – they’ll tell you the same.

Now I don’t really even try to define what the phenomenon is, because how would I know – other than that these are normal around-dying events. People are very comforted by these visits.

I have a dear friend of 92 who was seriously ill in hospital, from which she recovered – thank goodness. When she returned home, she told me her late husband had been sitting in the chair beside her bed the whole time.

So should I have called in the psych nurses? Told her doctor she was crazy? Phoned for the exorcist to drop round to her house? Of course not. If you spend time with the dying, you’ll find they often have these experiences and are happy to share them. I’m happy to hear about them I’m happy they still feel so in touch with those who loved them. I happy to hear that the continuing spirits of those who have left their bodies come to help and comfort the living who may soon join them.

I neither believe nor disbelieve in their experiences. I don’t have to, because they’re not my experiences and furthermore, they are clearly helpful, spiritually uplifting and loving experiences, so what the heck?

I’m always amazed that people who purport to be practicing Christians, a religion in which life after death is a big feature, get bent out of shape by accounts of these experiences.

And they do. They get upset, they want Mom medicated out of her visitations – weird huh? It’s as if they just can’t handle that there may actually be life after death. Me> I’m cool with people’s accounts of their experiences.

There’s hardly a culture or religion in the whole world not familiar with such accounts. visitations, experiences. But in the USA, oh my! Actually, in my experiences of talking with a lot of Americans about a lot of personal lives, I find that these around-death experiences probably touch about 70 percent of everyone. They’re just afraid to talk about them in case we think they’re nuts. Isn’t that sad?

So, my dears, if Mom tells you Grandma and Grandpa came to see her – and you know they’ve been dead for 50 years – don’t be spooked. Just smile and nod and be glad that her heart, her mind, her spirit, the drugs or your grandparents, are supporting at a time of greatest need for such visits.

Remember, dead relatives coming to visit – that’s normal.

Frena Gray-Davidson, Alzheimer’s caregiver and author of five caregiving books, including her latest book “Alzheimer’s 911: Hope, Help and Healing for Caregivers”, available at http://www.amazon.com. Frena teaches care families and professionals to decode the language of dementia and achieve successful behavior interventions. Go to her website at http://www.alzguide.com/ and sign up for her free monthly online newsletter for all involved in dementia care. Email her at frenagd@gmail.com

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Alzheimer’s – The Forgetful Disease

On May 19, 2012, in Alzheimers, by alzheimers

Seeing my uncle stricken with Alzheimer’s at the age of 70, was a wake-up call, being just shy of 70 by 11 years. It led me to research the topic a little deeper to see how and if I could avoid it. So I spent hours researching myths versus reality, only to realize that it is, and is not, genetics.

It is not because someone in your family has or had Alzheimer’s, that your going to get it. Genetics does play a role in Alzheimer’s, but genetics plays a role in every disease. Here is where the confusion lies. People accept the typical statement ‘it’s in my genes’ as to mean they inherited the disease (heredity). This is simply not true.

Genetics has to do with a lot of things, but if you pay close attention, the science of genetics which grew out of the union of biochemistry and genetics is widely known as molecular biology. The term “genetics” is often widely confused with the notion of genetic engineering, where the DNA of an organism is modified for some kind of practical end, but most research in genetics is aimed at understanding and explaining the effect of genes on phenotypes and in the role of genes in populations. Genetics have been studied since 1859, and they still don’t fully understand it.

The reality of genetics in association with ‘Alzheimer’s disease’, is that it only represents about 10% of cases ever deriving from genes. Also, it is looked on as an old person’s disease. Yes, you are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s as you get much older, but it doesn’t mean you will get it. in addition, people in their 40s and 50s have been known to be affected.

There’s an old myth, that the moment you have episodes of forgetting things, you’re on your way to having Alzheimer’s. People even joke about it. That’s how strong the belief is. The reality is, that many people have problems with memory but this does not necessarily mean Alzheimer’s. Of course, when your day-to-day functions, your judgement, your reasoning is affected, you should at the very least visit a doctor or request a brain scan.

One thing you should know is that a lot of research is showing that Alzheimer’s may develop from a combination of risk factors which unclude your lifestyle, diet, environmental etc. Remember that the body is made up of molecules, proteins etc…of which simply makes common sense. If for years you have been abusing your body with all sorts of toxins, then doesn’t it make sense that in time all these toxins will affect your health profoundly. This is what doctors with no financial motives, are trying to warn the public about.

So can one avoid it and prevent it? Absolutely. There is a growing amount of evidence, that lifestyle choices that keep mind and body fit may help reduce the risk. These choices include physical exercise, a healthy diet including fresh fruits, vegetables and fish, as well as keeping your brain active. It is that simple. I didn’t make this up, this is doctors telling you.

When are people ever going to listen? You have the doctors doing the research to find a chemical cure, for the multinationals in the pursuit of more money, and you have the doctors telling you to go back to nature, fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. And if you can’t do that because of whatever reason, vitamins, supplements, immune system boosters, to kill the toxic foods we eat every day. But yet most choose to ignore. They choose more toxic chemicals, in the form of pills, to help them with their memory loss. How sad. Why?

Alzheimer’s is progressive, degenerative, and destroys your vital brain cells! Alarming statistics reveal that one in every 13 people in North America, over the age of 65, suffers from Alzheimer’s. Don’t let it be you!

Jon G. Michel is publisher of http://www.cancer-help-treatment.com and a strong advocate af alternative medicine for a better health. Remember to take your Omega 3-s daily, in combination with a powerful immune system booster, and watch your health make make a complete turn around naturally!

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Tips to Help Alzheimer’s Patients

On May 18, 2012, in Alzheimers, by alzheimers

Alzheimer’s disease is one of nature’s cruelest inventions to date. Our memories of ourselves and our loved ones make up the fabric of our lives; we are our memories. To have them taken away in small segments over the course of years is a terrible way to live for both patient and their family. For the patient, they are living in a constant state of fear and anticipation. Not having lucid memories of events and people, they spend every moment frightened of their own children whom they see as strangers. For the family and friends of Alzheimer’s patients the realisation that your parent does not remember you is heartbreaking. It’s also terrifying to realise that many missing persons cases are actually Alzheimer’s disease patients who have wondered away from their home not knowing the dangers they may encounter on their own.

At the present time there is no cure for this terrible disease but there are some ways to help the patient to fight against it and retain many of their precious memories.

Many researchers all over the world are encouraging their Alzheimer’s patient to take up swimming as a way to boost their memory. When a person swims or performs other activities in the water their brain and body work in unison to perform the task. Older Alzheimer’s sufferers also seem to have many strong memories associated with swimming such as long summers spent by their local beach or teaching their own children to swim. Researchers are also looking at the effects of playing music to Alzheimer’s patients, particularly their favourite songs or ones from their past. Family members are encouraged to sit down with the victim of Alzheimer’s and to create a play list of their favourite tunes. This can be the anchor to the victim who can listen to this album whenever they want. As the disease progresses this music will help them to remember times in the past and will also help to give them a stronger grip on the present.

Other memory games include creating mnemonics and word lists. Mnemonics are short poems or phrases that are also great memory aides, such as the phrase “Roy G Biv” to help people to remember the colours of a rainbow where every letter in the name corresponds to the colour: Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet. Lists are also great ways to help to improve the memory of a person suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Want to play interesting memory games? Just click memory games now!

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Alzheimers Treatment: Hope Goes Ever On

On May 18, 2012, in Alzheimers, by alzheimers

Azheimer’s treatment is something that is very in demand nowadays as a result of the fact that so many folks are undergoing from this illness. It is rather significant and has been researched by some of the world’s leading scientists as well as medical specialists.

There is a worldwide consensus that this challenge if left unchecked will grow to a scale that will truly be mind numbing. Alzheimer’s disease affects many individuals over the age of 65, and as the population of many nations reaches these more elderly stages, it becomes more crucial that investigation finds new ways to deal with this growing threat.

Those who are above the age of 65 more often than not are considered to have a ten percent chance of developing Alzheimer’s, and the percentages keep going higher as one ages beyond that which can be a huge factor in the burgeoning of dementia within the elderly populace.

Some of the consequences of Alzheimer’s is memory reduction, though it also comes with other serious disabilities including personality changes, lack of cohesiveness when speaking or understanding, feeling of disorientation, and reduced mobility in some areas.

One of the untold stories of this challenge and why it needs treatments produced instantaneously is that it costs society a lot of money to care for these individuals with some estimates as high as a hundred billion dollars in some places. That is only the tip of the iceberg, as there are even more heartaches that affect surrounding family members, as well as puts stress on the health care system. If there is good news in any of this, it’s that progress is being made urgently at all levels of the vitality system, and the drug development sector is making big inroads consistently.

If you are seeking Alzheimers care, there is growing hope in the sector and hopefully some day we can put out this predicament permanently.

Alzheimers symptoms and supplementary significant [http://www.learnalzheimers.org/alzheimers-symptoms] Alzheimer’s data are to be had at [http://www.learnalzheimers.org/alzheimers-symptoms] Feel free to pay us a visit!

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Alzheimer’s Disease: 2nd Stage Symptom

On May 18, 2012, in Alzheimers, by alzheimers

Changes in the brain of Alzheimer’s sufferers may begin 10 to 20 years before

any visible signs of dementia or any symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear.

Alzheimer’s disease progresses through three main stages:

The first stage is mild. The symptoms at this stage can be observed by

family members and considered as part of normal aging. The family

member starts to forget places or things. Sometimes, the family

member forgets their address. At this stage, it seem a little matter

of “mom or dad , they’re just getting older”.

However by the time the second stage appears, family members

began to sense that there may be something serious happening.

As the memory continues to deteriorate, there is a sense

that ther is a more severe problem.

During the second stage of Alzheimer’s disease there is evidence that

the damage to the brain has progressed. At the second stage of Alzheimer’s

disease there are some language problems. Family members fear that the

patient has had a stroke. The ability to speak is slow and labored.

There is a strain to articulate feelings or request. There may be an inability

speak clearly.

During the second stage of Alzheimer’s the person’s reasoning ability is

hampered. The person may decide to go to the grocery store at 2:00 am in

the morning. The person will not understand why this does not make sense.

Some individuals become combative or emotional over perceived injustices.

The processing of sensory information such as reacting to heat or cold

becomes impaired during the second stage of the disease. The brain is not

connecting or interpreting sensory messages from the body. Alzheimer’s

patients have been known to not feel the heat from a stove or not react to cold.

In the second stage of the disease, the symptoms and signs of Alzheimer

have become more obvious. As the disease progresses, family members can

see that other regions of the brain have been affected. There are

pronounced changes in behavior and there is a pronounced attention deficit.

The progression of Alzheimer’s disease can vary. The individuals who

have been studied shows that the duration of the disease may vary from

3 to 20 years. Early detection is critical to controlling and slowing

the progression of the symptoms. Finding the right Alzheimer’s treatment

plan is important at this stage. The disease can be slowed at this stage.

There are medications approved by the FDA to treat Alzheimer’disease. There

is no cure. However, some medication have been tested that delay the progression

and possibly the onset of new Alzheimer’s symptoms, Many of the drugs that are

prescribed for Alzheimer patients are designed to help with the emotional or

the behavioral changes that occur.

When the individuals starts to experience any of the symptoms associated

with the various stages of Alzheimer’s, they should seek medical help immediately.

Don’t confuse the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease with the changes that take place

in normal aging. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging.

Some studies indicate that some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s may be due to

other conditions that impact the diagnosis. Depression, some of the side effects

of other medications, excessive use of drugs or alchohol or even nutritional

imbalances may be disorders that can impair memory and other

functions.

If these problems are identified early on, individuals can sometimes

stave off the progression of the disease by being reactive to the symptoms

early.

For more information on alzheimers statistics, treatment, caregiving, and support resources, please visit http://www.alzheimersdiseasetips.com for helpful tips. Be sure to read the article on alzheimers disease early symptom detection.

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An Alzheimer Patient Opens My Heart

On May 18, 2012, in Alzheimers, by alzheimers

Fifteen years ago I was a greenhorn in terms of connecting with the dead and dying. As a fairly new Holistic Health Practitioner, I had already become comfortable asking and receiving guidance from the angelic realm. What I “heard” was that I should become a docent at the local hospice in the Acute Care Center, where people can choose to live out the last few weeks of their lives without excessive medication.

My duty was every Monday morning from 9 -1:00. Sounds easy enough. The extremely busy nurses gave me a two-minute rundown of, “Just go into any vacant room and be with the patient.” I did. Many appeared to be comatose. I sat with them doing what I do, which was just praying for an easy releasing of their body, loving them with all I had within me, touching them gently to let them know someone was there with them, and giving them permission to leave their body behind. Even then, it was obvious to me that the body is just a vehicle for our consciousness.

After I returned home on my first Monday, I received a call from a hospice nurse, saying, “What did you do? Several passed on after you left.” All I had done was pray over them, love them, and give them permission to let go into the arms of God. This nurse did her best to reassure me that this was a positive thing, but she frightened me no end.

I was definitely more than a little nervous over my apparent life and death power, no matter how much reassurance the nurse gave me. On the last Monday of my first and only month, most of the patients seemed to have family visitors. After awhile I was told to walk an Alzheimer patient outside (in her stretcher-like chair) until lunch and then bring her back in to feed her in about 30 minutes. She appeared to be in a sleep-like state with her energy in tightly around her. I talked quietly to her as I wheeled her outside under the Arboretum where we stayed until lunch. I had my hand on hers and spoke with her as if she was my best friend. My heart was filled with love for her.

This woman, who supposedly was unable to connect, opened her eyes and looked right into my soul, and in case I missed it, smiled the smile of the angels. Our hearts had joined. Words were not necessary. We spoke the language of the dead. We “spoke” heart to heart.

By now it was lunchtime. I wheeled this beautiful woman back into the lunch room where a nurse covered my new friend in towels and explained that she liked to feed herself, but I was welcome to try. The food was liquefied so that she could swallow it. I began feeding. She grabbed hold of the spoon and began to shovel in a few drops of lunch while the majority of it spilled over her chest covered in towels.

Here’s the kicker. At the very end of this mess of splashed and spilled food everywhere, my soul friend took a corner of her food-covered towel and daintily patted the corners of her mouth. She was still the lady she had always been. That did it for me. I was never able to get myself to go back. She still lives in my heart!

Suzy Morgan, B.A., H.H.P, is a Spiritual Intuitive, a Medium, an Energy Healer, and a Channel for the Angels offering Angel Readings. http://www.AskYourAngels.com

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