Usually around the age of 60, symptoms of Alzheimer’s will start to manifest themselves if indeed the disease is present. Sometimes, these symptoms are dismissed as part of the ageing process but unfortunately in many cases, it is not just a question of getting old.

The first alarming signal is when the person affected has marked difficulty in doing simple tasks which previously they performed with ease. These can range from opening a car door to getting a meal ready or using a simple household appliance. As the disease progresses into the later stages, the person will display behavioural symptoms. Loss of memory and a failure to grasp new things together with anxiety and depression are common symptoms. Some persons suffer from hallucinations.

Diagnosis of this disease is never simple or straightforward and will start by excluding other possibilities. The patient will be asked to take a number of laboratory tests such as medical tests and laboratory measurements. The actual diagnosis can take up to several weeks in some difficult cases although sometimes just one day will be sufficient.

The brain contains a vital chemical compound called acetylcholine which preserves the neurons in the brain. When the disease starts to take hold, another enzyme starts to attack - this is called acetylcholinesterase and will destroy the healthier enzymes. The drugs are aimed to stave off this attack and preserve the healthy enzymes. But these drugs have some side effects and the results vary a lot but in many cases, they do slow down the disease.

Other drugs too have been tried with mixed success. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs ), the most common ones being aspirin and ibuprofen have been found to offer some protection. Another potential preventative drug is estrogen, but this can give rise to strokes. Gingko biloba, a popular plant extract associated with improving brain function, can have dangerous side effects too.

Medication combined with care giving is the most common treatment for Alzheimer’s at the moment as there is no known cure yet. The disease will progress and worsen resulting in a debilitating severe dementia in the final stages. About 70% of the 4 million Alzheimers sufferers live at home with their families so very often these family members need counselling.

While the disease progresses, the patient and family members will be traumatised and emotionally drained especially as in the very late stages, the patient just cannot communicate with his or her loved ones. This is very often hard to bear and adds to the trauma for the carers.

Many people ask abut prevention as they worry about their old age and wonder if the same thing could happen to them. Prevention is key and reserach now shows that diet can play a very important role. The Mediterranean Diet has been studied for a very long time and the people who follow it have a low incidence of heart disease and senile dementia. Research shows that fruit, vegetables, fish and whole grains with little red meat are decisive in prevention of this disease - even by as much as 60%!

Usually around the age of 60, symptoms of Alzheimer’s will start to manifest themselves if indeed the disease is present. Sometimes, these symptoms are dismissed as part of the ageing process but unfortunately in many cases, it is not just a question of getting old.

The first alarming signal is when the person affected has marked difficulty in doing simple tasks which previously they performed with ease. These can range from opening a car door to getting a meal ready or using a simple household appliance. As the disease progresses into the later stages, the person will display behavioural symptoms. Loss of memory and a failure to grasp new things together with anxiety and depression are common symptoms. Some persons suffer from hallucinations.

Many people assume that diagnosis is simple and easy. If only it were ! First of all, other possibilities have to be excluded. Before the diagnosis is confimed the patient is put through various laboratory tests and asked to take medical tests as well. Sometimes the diagnosis can be confirmed in one day but in other cases it may take up to several weeks.

What treatment options are there ? Medication now consists of various drugs which try to protect a chemical compound called acetylcholine, which is important for the functioning of neurons in the brain. These drugs help to preserve these essential enzymes which are damaged by another enzyme called acetylcholinesterase.There are considerable side effects of these drugs and the results are not significant is many cases but they can slow down the disease.

Some doctors prescribe the NSAIDs which are the nonsteroidal inflammatory drugs which are very well known, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. They have had mixed results too but do offer some protection from the nasty enzymes mentioned above. Gingko biloba is a well known plant extract used for many purposes but again, this has dangerous side effects although it has been shown to improve some brain function. Estrogen, a hormonal substance, is prescribed but there is a risk that it may cause strokes

The disease can last from 5-10 years or even longer. The disease will progress from simple forgetfulness to debilitating severe dementia. Most sufferers (about 70% in the USA) will live with family members at home. There is no cure for the disease at the moment and care consists of medication mentioned above and care giving.

Patients and families both go through a traumatic time during the progress of the disease. The fact that the disease is a degenerative one provides challenges for all carers. When the final stages occur, the patient will not be able to communicate at all with his or her loved ones which only increases the stress on the health care proxy.

Many people ask abut prevention as they worry about their old age and wonder if the same thing could happen to them. Prevention is key and reserach now shows that diet can play a very important role. The Mediterranean Diet has been studied for a very long time and the people who follow it have a low incidence of heart disease and senile dementia. Research shows that fruit, vegetables, fish and whole grains with little red meat are decisive in prevention of this disease - even by as much as 60%!

Mental diseases like Alzheimers and senile mental conditions have been the subject of much research recently. The latest study shows if that elderly people consume omega-3 foods, their chances of developing these diseases are considerably less. Another report recently found that carrots and other beta-carotene foods could also reduce the possibility of contracting these diseases.

The American Academy of Neurology published the report which detailed a study over several years based on 8,000 men and women. All the subjects of the research were 65 years or over. They found that those who consumed more Omega-6 foods such as sunflower oil and other oils used in the preparation of food were at greater risk of developing these diseases.

Let us not forget that omega -6 is an essential Fatty Acid (EFA) and therefore essential for our well being. Most people on a typical Western diet consume far more omega-6-rich foods - especially American and Israeli diets. Researchers have discovered that the so-called omega-6 to omega-3 ratio should be about 1/5 for optimal health.

Oily fish such as tuna, mackerel and salmon are rich in Omega-3 and should be included in our diet. The American Dietetic Association states that we should eat at least two servings (4 ozs) a week. The other Omega -3 foods are walnuts, flaxseed and cod-liver oil.

What are the Omega-6 foods we should try to reduce ? We should try to reverse the balance of omega-3 fatty acids with omega-6 fatty acids in the diet. The Omega- 6 foods we should reduce are corn oil,sunflower oil,cottonseed oil and egg yolks, red meat and margarine. If your salad dressing contains these oils, you will need to change it.

In another study recently, apparently the maternal link in Alzheimers disease is significant. Nobody knows yet why this should be so but those people whose mothers are or have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimers have a greater chance of developing the illness. There is no greater risk for those whose fathers have been diagnosed with the disease.

There is hopeful news in that a vaccine has now been developed and tested although actual testing on humans will not start until 2010. Results so far have been very promising and the idea is that the vaccine will stimulate our immune sysytem to fight dementia in the brain.

Which diet has the correct balance between Omega -3 and Omega -6 foods ? It is the Mediterranean Diet which has been studied the world over as an ideal healthy diet. you will find lots of whole grains, fish, olive oil, garlic and tons of fruit and vegetables. Meat is consumed in small quantities. This could be the way forward in defeating debilitating mental diseases in old age.