WK10Assgn2AlfaroM.pptx - ALZHEIMERu2019S DISEASE NURS 6501...

NURS 6501: Advanced Pathophysiology
Marianne Alfaro
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among
older people. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person's
ability to carry out daily activities(Alzheimer’s Association. 2016).

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is diagnosed when the patient has an objective
memory impairment but no significant change in daily functioning.

AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, resulting in a gradual, irreversible
loss of memory and cognitive function (Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia, 2018).
(Alzheimer’s Association, 2016)
Alzheimer’s disease


The risk of developing AD is multifactorial. Preventable risk factors
include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, smoking, sedentary lifestyle,
obesity, and head injury. The nonpreventable risk factors are age and
genetics(Mayeux & Stern,2012)

Approximately 1/3 of people age 85 and older may suffer from
Alzheimer's disease. Impairment is the most common presenting
symptom; however, others may present atypically(Kumar, Singh &
Ekavali. 2015)

Alzheimer Disease is the sixth most common cause of death in the
United States( Barbe, Morrone, Wolak-Thierry, Moustapha,Damien, &
Novella, 2015) .
Etiology of Alzheimer’s Disease

Early-onset and late-onset. Both types have a genetic component.
Differences
Two types of Alzheimer’s:
Late-Onset Alzheimer's Early-Onset Alzheimer's
Signs first appear in a person's mid-60s Signs first appear between a person's 30s and mid-60s
Most common type Very rare
May involve a gene called APOE ɛ4 Usually caused by gene changes passed down from
parent to child
Bekris, L. M., Yu, C. E., Bird, T. D., & Tsuang, D. W. (2010)

•
Forgetful
•
Short Term Memory Loss
•
Irritability
•
Agitation
•
Restlessness
•
Anxious
•
Depressed
•
Decreased Visuospatial Orientation
•
Hostile
•
Mood Swings
•
Decreased Problem Solving
•
Impaired Judgement
•
Dyspraxia
The manifestations associated with AD
and it’s disease process is dependent
upon the type, disease progression, and
individualized. The initial clinical
manifestations are insidious and often
attributed to forgetfulness, emotional
upset, or other illness (Huether and
McCance, 2017).
Clinical Manifestations


In the last stages of AD, brain changes begin to affect different areas of the body.
physical functions-

swallowing

balance

bowel

bladder

These effects can increase vulnerability to additional health problems such as:
aspirating into the lungs ( Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017).

These diseases causes degeneration of brain tissue and nerve cells and it becomes
harder for the brain to communicate with the body and function properly(Huether &
McCance, 2017).

Functional alterations such as activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities
of daily living are also decreased( Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017).