What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that Alzheimer’s disease is NOT a normal part of aging. It is, however, the most common form of dementia and currently has no cure. It was named for German physician, Alois Alzheimer, who first described the disease in 1906 after one of his patient’s died of this disease.
Alzheimer’s disease destroys brain cells, which causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. The problems eventually become severe enough to affect work, social life, family. lifelong hobbies – every aspect of life. However, Alzheimer’s isn’t just about losing your memory, it’s a progressive and fatal disease. Worse, the incidence of this brain disorder is growing rapidly.
Alzheimer’s Statistics In Health News
Here are some facts about Alzheimer’s:
- Every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.
- As many as 5.2 million people in the United States are already living with Alzheimer’s.
- 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s in their lifetime.
- The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.
Perhaps the most surprising fact is that people are getting diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at much earlier ages now. Just last year, over 500,000 people under 65 years of age were diagnosed, and even more startling, some of those were in their 20’s and 30’s.
It is also especially sobering to learn that Alzheimer’s disease has surpassed diabetes to become the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
Clearly this is important news in health, and it’s worth learning more about Alzheimer’s Disease, no matter what your age.
* Alzheimer’s Association
* National Institute On Aging
* www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp
