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What is the sixth-leading cause of death in Americans? You might be surprised that it's Alzheimer's disease. We don't think of Alzheimer's disease as fatal. Perhaps that's because it takes several years to claim its victims; less time for younger patients who are afflicted. But when do you reach that terminal stage, and what happens in the years up to that point?
We have a couple of ways to quantify the stages of Alzheimer's. A simple method is to break it down to mild, moderate and severe.
The mild stage can last from two to four years. The patients have word-finding difficulties and trouble learning new information. They lose interest in activities, find it difficult to make decisions, and have a hard time completing tasks if interrupted. They have difficulty with paying bills, or even paying for groceries in a checkout line. They lose things or hide them in odd places. Depression, paranoia and hoarding behavior are common.
The moderate stage can last from two to 10 years. The patients display poor judgment, and are at risk for self-neglect or exploitation. They are uninhibited and behave inappropriately, often cursing, screaming or hitting. They need assistance with bathing, dressing and maintaining a healthy diet and environment. They often have their days and nights mixed up, and tend to become very agitated in the late afternoon or early evening (sun downing).
The severe stage can last one to three years. The patients don't recognize their family. Speech may be difficult to understand or repetitive. They need assistance with all basic needs. They sleep more. They forget how to walk safely and have frequent falls. They become incontinent and lose control of bowels and bladder. They often refuse to eat. They can be hypersensitive to touch, and cry out when moved. They forget how to swallow safely and may choke. Read more: floridatoday.com
Paracetamol (acetaminophen) linked to blood cancers
Regular users of paracetamol have an increased risk of developing blood cancers, researchers have found. Read more: dailymail.co.uk
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