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Alzheimer's


Therefore, doctors can diagnose Alzheimer's Disease only after they have ruled out all other possible causes of dementia. No one test can determine whether Alzheimer's actually exists, which is also the reason why a physician must administer an exhausting battery of tests before making an Alzheimer's diagnosis. A detailed patient and family history will be taken; a physical exam will be conducted; mental status test will be administered; neurological exam will be completed; laboratory tests will be performed; and an extensive psychiatric exam conducted before a diagnosis can be made. Some doctors may order brain scans to rule out strokes or tumors that could be causing symptoms of dementia. Memory and task-related tests used to diagnose Alzheimer's Disease measure the level of impairment or stage of the disease. Alzheimer's Disease is usually characterized as mild, moderate, or severe, depending upon the severity of symptoms (Weddington, 1994, p. 4-10). .
             Alzheimer's Disease exacts a terrible price, both in human and monetary terms. "It is estimated that costs for treating Alzheimer's Disease in the U.S. alone are at least $100 billion annually. A study release last month estimated the cost to U.S. business - in lost productivity and absenteeism of employees who care for family members with Alzheimer's disease - to be $61 billion a year" (Alzheimer's Association, 2002). .
             There is nothing yet available that can stop the deterioration associated with the disease. "Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the rate of decline of functions in patients with Alzheimer's Disease" (Cummings & Cole, 2002, p. 4) While no one understands exactly why this positive result occurred, the logic for testing Vitamin E has a sound scientific basis. Vitamin E is in a class of molecules called antioxidants, such molecules have the ability to fight free radicals. Some symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease may be caused by an overabundance of free radicals.


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