Alzheimer’s Disease Essay, Research Paper
Colin Tennebar
Psychology 10:00
Dr. Jennifer Griffin
First off, I’d like to apologize for using Alzheimer’s disease as my Internet article because you used it in the syllabus as your example. This topic is very important to me because I watched my grandmother rot in bed for eight years due to this disease.
The Internet article(s) I have dealt with the latest treatments and helps of prevention for this incurable disease. The first article I have deals with estrogen. Studies show that women who take estrogen after menopause have an unexpectedly low incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Estrogen is a product produced by a female’s body that boosts the production of acetylcholine, a key component that keeps away Alzheimer’s disease. The greater the amount of estrogen being absorbed into the body, the greater the mental improvement. Studies are still being done on estrogen, but the results that are in are positive for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. There is not one known cause that can be linked to Alzheimer’s, in fact, it’s not known for a fact if you have Alzheimer’s until after you die and an autopsy is done. One hypothesis is that high “bad” cholesterol or LDL is connected to Alzheimer’s because it favors deposition of beta-amyloid. Beta-amyloid reacts with cells that line blood vessels in the brain that produce free radicals that damage brain tissue. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E, mineral selenium and beta-carotene can help cut the risks, other than that “cut the risks”, there is no real prescription in the world that can prevent it. The new agent in the market is a pure substance called gingko biloba. It is now sold on the shelves at a local grocery store commonly found in tea. Research has indicated it is a memory-boosting herb. Some people swear by it, but when I bought some it made me more “alive”, but I didn’t feel a sense of memory being restored when I was studying for my accounting test. Another alternative treatment is aromatherapy massage. It’s when you burn a smelling stick of some kind and you inhale letting it soak into the brain. This practice is by far inconclusive, so the results are mixed. Honestly, what I think is there is a lot of money being made out there from this disease and everyone who can make money off it will. My mom does aromatherapy and she says it makes her sinuses feel much better. I probably have to try it out sometime. These are the current and latest treatments according to the health library. I didn’t know about any of them until you told our class how the effect of estrogen is a positive one after menopause. Also, you told us about the drug called acetylcholine. This too has a role in Alzheimer’s disease, which you also did mention in class. I also think if there is millions to be made on any disease, don’t expect a cure anytime soon. The society is based on wealth today, whether you want to believe it or not- doctors, government, nursing homes, or whoever doesn’t want to lose money.
The research I found this material was at the health library located in the web browser yahoo! This is of fact and can be reached by any given individual. I’ve seen the first hand effects of this disease and I hope it passes my family, as along as myself. I know for a fact I won’t live with it.