Most people have heard of Alzheimer’s, but very few understand what it is. Some people think that Alzheimer’s is “what happens to us when we get old” or that it is “a disease that doctors invented.” The truth about Alzheimer’s disease is this:
Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects the brain.
- Symptoms tend to appear after age 65.
- The first symptom is usually difficulty remembering everyday things, such as forgetting important conversations or events.
- It progresses gradually and typically affects memory, reasoning, language, personality and, over time, the ability to complete even the simplest tasks.
We are often asked, “Why is it important to learn about Alzheimer’s disease?”
Our answer is usually as follows:
- There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are ways to treat some of its symptoms and projects appear to be moving closer to a cure.
- There are other diseases that can cause memory problems similar to Alzheimer’s disease and can be cured. Some of these conditions include depression, vitamin deficiencies and thyroid problems.
- If you have memory problems that worry you, contact your doctor.
- Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that affects the entire family, not just the person with the symptoms. In general, it is very difficult for family members to cope with the changes that this disease causes in their loved one. Understanding these changes and learning to cope with them can be of great help to everyone.
If you are interested in advancing science in the Latino community, learning more about our projects, or participating, please call 619-373-4735 or email salud-techucsd@health.ucsd.edu . Our bilingual staff will contact you shortly. You can also contact us via our website saludtech.info. Our bilingual staff will contact you shortly.
Dr. Maria Marquine and Dr. Raeanne Moore – on behalf of the SALUD Tech research team.
