Alzheimer s Free Essay Example, 1250 words

Alzheimer can be best defied as a pandemic disease. This is because approximately 1 million cases are found annually and the number is expected to accumulate in the coming years (Lu & Bludau, 2011). Lu and Bludau point out that, â€Å"by 2050, it is expected that there will be 11 to 16 million people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States† (2011, p. 4). These are however mere estimates. In order to completely comprehend this physiological disease, the human race needs to put certain facts into consideration. Lu and Bludau’s study (2011) found that some people do not seek medical help hence making the number of cases higher, Alzheimer’s disease may be more common in western industrialized nations compared to countries in Africa and Asia, and lack of knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease on the part of those it is presented to makes it go undiagnosed. Additionally, the length of survival of Alzheimer patients, especially the elderly, i s shortened by lack of advanced medical care. Discussion The brain is able to carry out most of its functions through a complex system called the limbic system. We will write a custom essay sample on Alzheimer 's or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now It also contains certain lobes which are accountable for most of the behavior carried out by the human race and they include: 1. The Hippocampus and the Temporal Lobe According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, verbal and visual memories are processed in the hippocampus (2014). Here, verbal memories are composed of words read, spoken or heard, while visual memories are composed of objects, places and faces seen. Short term memory and new learning are controlled by the temporal lobe. 2. Parietal Lobe Activities such as putting clothes in the right order or starting a car and driving would not be simple tasks if it were not for the parietal lobe. This lobe helps people to put activities in an orderly manner and also helps people in controlling their ability to judge positions and sizes of objects. The Alzheimer Society of Canada study found out that, depending on which side of the brain is affected, problems vary† (2014). 3. Frontal lobe This lobe is responsible for setting any activity into motion and enables people to plan and organize their actions. It also helps in control of individual’s social behavior and judgment. If this part of the brain is affected by the Alzheimer’s disease, the person tends to lose interest in any activity, stops hobbies and repeats an activity several times. There is also another lobe referred to as the occipital lobe, this lobe does not have a huge impact on Alzheimer’s as opposed to the other lobes; this is because it is normally responsible for visual representation of objects (Alzheimer Society of Canada, 2014).