Alzheimer’s disease Health Article

Support Groups

For additional information and resources for people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers, see Alzheimer's disease support groups.

Expectations (prognosis)

The probable outcome is poor. The disorder is usually progresses steadily. Total disability is common. Death normally occurs within 15 years, usually from an infection or a failure of other body systems.

Complications

• Loss of ability to function or care for self
• Bedsores, muscle contractures (loss of ability to move joints because of loss of muscle function), infection (particularly urinary tract infections and pneumonia), and other complications related to immobility during end-stages of AD
• Falls and broken bones
• Loss of ability to interact
• Malnutrition and dehydration
• Failure of body systems
• Reduced life span
• Harmful or violent behavior toward self or others
• Abuse by an over-stressed caregiver
• Side effects of medications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if someone close to you experiences symptoms of senile dementia/Alzheimer's type.

Call your health care provider if a person with this disorder experiences a sudden change in mental status. (A rapid change may indicate other illness.)

Discuss the situation with your health care provider if you are caring for a person with this disorder and the condition deteriorates to the point where you can no longer care for the person in your home.

Prevention

Although there is no proven way to prevent AD, there are some practices that may be worth incorporating into your daily routine, particularly if you have a family history of dementia. Talk to your doctor about any of these approaches, especially those that involve taking a medication or supplement.

• Consume a low-fat diet.
• Eat cold-water fish (like tuna, salmon, and mackerel) rich in omega-3 fatty acids, at least 2 to 3 times per week.
• Reduce your intake of linoleic acid found in margarine, butter, and dairy products.
• Increase antioxidants like carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C by eating plenty of darkly colored fruits and vegetables.
• Maintain a normal blood pressure.
• Stay mentally and socially active throughout your life.
• Consider taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), sulindac (Clinoril), or indomethacin (Indocin). Statin drugs, a class of medications normally used for high cholesterol, may help lower your risk of AD. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of using these medications for prevention.

In addition, early testing of a vaccine against AD is underway.

References

Rakel P. Conn’s Current Therapy 2005. 57th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2005.

Moore DP, Jefferson JW. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2004.

Goetz CG, Pappert EJ. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003.