The Ongoing Battle Against Alzheimer's
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2013-01-23/ongoing-battle-against-alzheimers
An estimated 5.4 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. By mid-century, this number could climb to 14 or 15 million. Suffering is immense for both patients and their families and so is the cost. We spend close to $200 billion dollars every year for Alzheimer’s patient care and treatment. Demographic trends together with healthcare cost projections clearly put us on an unsustainable path. As part of our ongoing Mind and Body Series: please join us for an update on public and private research aimed at learning how Alzheimer’s progresses through the brain and the effort to find drugs that can slow or even stop the disease.
Guests
George Vradenburg
co-founder and chairman of USAgainstAlzheimer’s.
Dr. Scott Turner
professor of neurology and director of memory disorders program at Georgetown University Medical Center.
Dr. Neil Buckholtz
director of division of neuroscience at National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health.
Comments
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Has your retirement facility physician (or other practitioner) prescribed Tramadol (or other dope) for your "agitated" older institutionalized loved one? And did the facility then shortly summarily diagnose Alzheimer's (or other dementia, with little or no testing)? Didn't you ever think that disorientation could come from institutionalization combined with disabling prescriptions?
Yes Kiddos, it happens all the time, and more often than anyone might assume. Active and aware retirees are rapidly being inducted to the Alzheimer's disease category for reasons of control and profit. A higher level of "care" (usually less in fact) brings in more reimbursement and revenue. Moving to a different facility may not save your loved one. Capitalist tendencies exist everywhere. You will never meet the "people" who actually run and own these facilities. You will meet the desk jockeys and CNAs who know less than nuttin', Honey, Sugarpie, Darlin'... Shore lookin' cute t-day!
I've seen this syndrome repeatedly in my social work.
I estimate that billions could be saved if we'd support older people staying in their accustomed private homes as long as possible.
Pancake Rankin wrote:
"Yes Kiddos, it happens all the time, and more often than anyone might assume. "
You paint a lovely scenario for which you present absolutely ZERO evidence other than
"I've seen this syndrome repeatedly in my social work."
Really? Then you should be whistle-blowing like crazy. Why don't you call 60 minutes and have them do an in-depth investigation.
If you knew anything you would know there is no positive test for Alzheimer's (other than autopsy), but well-trained, experienced phsyicians can recognize symptons consistent with the disease and in most cases, diagnosis is confirmed at death.
The fact is that modern medicine has prolonged the life of the physical body beyond what humans ever knew. You are bound to see more mental/dimentia issues. Nothing lasts forever. That is why you see more cases of dimentia-related illness. Not because there's some sort of pharmaceutical-driven conspiracy amongst evil doctors and their institutions.
That being said, I agree with your last point. Those affected would often have higher quality of life if they could remain in and eventually die at home as long as the opportunity for care was there. The problem is, our society in its current construct makes that often impossible. Now, why do you think that is?
How many forms of Alzheimer's and how many are prion diseases?
Funding went flat for the NIH in 2002 HMMMM what could have happened!!??!! Maybe those trillion dollar wars of choice paid for with tax cuts to the rich. Oh and the rise of the Right denying science and then all of the sudden also concerned with fiscal responsibility when Obama was elected. Quite a group of ideologues. Always on the wrong side of history
billtmore wrote:
"Funding went flat for the NIH in 2002 HMMMM what could have happened!!??!! Maybe those trillion dollar wars of choice paid for with tax cuts to the rich. Oh and the rise of the Right denying science and then all of the sudden also concerned with fiscal responsibility when Obama was elected. Quite a group of ideologues. Always on the wrong side of history"
Troll: Someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
Is there a connection between concussions and Alitimers?
As a guardian ad litem I've spent many days observing in rest homes. I've helped a few people escape drugged diagnosis. I've complained and testified at the state level but the profit motive is so great I'm being squealched. Several colleagues share my experiences.
How many days have you spent in retirement facilities, ecgberht2? Try some Tramadol and see the effect. (I have, under medical supervision.) What it boils down to is that rest home owners and management find it easier and more profitable to house zombies than sentient clients. I view the killing of the mind as tantamount to murder but District Attorneys seem to be invested in rest homes.
Pancake Rankin asked:
"How many days have you spent in retirement facilities"
More than I care to remember. Some facilities are better than others. I have not seen what you are seeing.
"Try some Tramadol and see the effect."
I've taken Tramadol post-op. I know the effects. I think I might still have a few in a bottle at home. What of it?
But I applaud your work as an advocate. Nevertheless, why would you let yourself be squelched if you really think things are that bad? With all due respect, you have about as much chance of making a dent before government officials as a Kia Soul does of denting a tank. Go to the media - to respected sources - with your evidence. That is the way to be heard. There are plenty of hungry folks out there who would like to make a name for themselves. Start with local TV and newspapers.
The idea that DAs are "invested in rest homes" is ridiculous. Again, you have no evidence for that.
Here's the key, Pancake.
Even if others take you at your word that you have done what you say you've done and seen what you say you've seen, if you mix that with conspiracy theory, you'll be dismissed. Good luck to you.
Have a look at this article on Sports Concussion
http://www.wire-news.com/report-links-sports-concussion-to-chronic-traum...
Richard Dennis
http://wire-news.com
Have a look at this article on Sports Concussion
http://www.wire-news.com/report-links-sports-concussion-to-chronic-traum...
Richard Dennis
http://wire-news.com
Please discuss the essential role of the caregiver ! !
and the reduced life expectancy and effects of stress on the caregiver.
Please mention the interplay of dementia with
geriatric depression and the difficulty of distinguishing between the two.
Spouse was diagnosed at 51 and now 5 years post diagnosis. She had no family history.
I took early retirement to be sole and primary caregiver
What are patterns of decline and longevity analysis for early diagnosis?
What efforts are being made to help caregivers finance this caregiving?
Is there any correlation between ADHD and Alzheimer's?
Both of my parents died with AD; probably doesn't look too good for me and my siblings. I can only hope for patient and compassionate care-givers near the end of my life.
ecgberht2 wrote:
Pancake Rankin wrote:
"Yes Kiddos, it happens all the time, and more often than anyone might assume. "
You paint a lovely scenario for which you present absolutely ZERO evidence other than
"I've seen this syndrome repeatedly in my social work."
Really?
{{How much evidence does she need to satisfy you? Clinical observation isn't good enough?}}
Then you should be whistle-blowing like crazy. Why don't you call 60 minutes and have them do an in-depth investigation.
{{There have been countless reports for years on various TV News Magazines on gross overmedication of Elderly, including mental and dementia Patients.}}
If you knew anything you would know there is no positive test for Alzheimer's (other than autopsy), but well-trained, experienced phsyicians can recognize symptons consistent with the disease and in most cases, diagnosis is confirmed at death.
{{The Panel thought otherwise.}}
The fact is that modern medicine has prolonged the life of the physical body beyond what humans ever knew.
{{There are Societies that have never been touched by modern medicine, the members of which live to extreme ages}}
You are bound to see more mental/dimentia issues. Nothing lasts forever.
{{IMHO, Age Normalization of certain diseases is potentially dangerous and delusional}}}l
That is why you see more cases of dimentia-related illness.
Not because there's some sort of pharmaceutical-driven conspiracy amongst evil doctors and their institutions.
"ecgberht wrote:
. My only concern is if BHO loses too many seats, he may try some kind of coup between 2010 and 2012. And that, BTW is not black helicopter. Don't think, "it can't happen here". This is reality. Know the man's history. Know who is friends are. And know that HE (and his ideology) are the most dangerous threats to freedom and democracy in our nation's history."
January 23, 2013 - 9:43 am
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
"StLouis wrote:
Both of my parents died with AD; probably doesn't look too good for me and my siblings. I can only hope for patient and compassionate care-givers near the end of my life.
January 23, 2013 - 5:41 pm"
As Pancake seems to be implying and as I firmly believe, diseases like Alzheimers and Mental Illness can be partly, even completely self-fulfulling.
I would demand iron-clad proof of any suggestions that I was becoming ill. If you WERE developing Alzheimers, there are still long periods of time during which you are perfectly competent to understand your symptoms, if any, and FORGETTING WHERE YOU LEFT YOUR CAR KEYS IS NOT A SYMPTOM!!!!!!
Don't let anyone talk you into anything, particularly if you are a trusting kind of person. Memory recall is often hard work and if convinced that your memory is failing, you won't put in the effort which can only lead to real memory loss.
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
Here is an interesting article about the chemistry of Aspartame (Nutrasweet) and how it may be contributing to brain disorders: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-...
Also, look into the role of Coconut oil in treating Alzheimer's.
About concussions and dementia: My father fell off a ladder, hit his head on a brick and 1 month later, Kaiser still refused to do a Cat Scan, even after he was having stroke symptoms. A doctor at a different Kaiser that my sister-in-law worked with, ordered one and they found a large hematoma (pool of thick blood) pressing on his brain. It caused mild brain damage which later developed into depression and dementia. He never became aggressive as many Alzheimer's patients develop, but it was very sad to watch a man who was a genius scientist become so withdrawn and unintelligent.
"ecgberht2 wrote:
billtmore wrote:
"Funding went flat for the NIH in 2002 HMMMM what could have happened!!??!! Maybe those trillion dollar wars of choice paid for with tax cuts to the rich. Oh and the rise of the Right denying science and then all of the sudden also concerned with fiscal responsibility when Obama was elected. Quite a group of ideologues. Always on the wrong side of history"
Troll: Someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
January 23, 2013 - 11:06 am"
NOT--- inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic, nor intended to provoke readers into an emotional response or otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion, IMHO.
You deserve an Offensive for that provocative smear of some perfectly reasonable comments, ie. a Troll, but I'm gonna let you off this time.
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
"K.Mrache wrote:
Here is an interesting article about the chemistry of Aspartame (Nutrasweet) and how it may be contributing to brain disorders: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/06/aspartame-..."
Nearly every producer of artifically sweetened sodas has quietly removed Aspartame and replaced it with a combination of Acesulfame Potassium and Sucralose which seems to fool the taste buds into thinking it's tasting a sickening sweetness which persists for hours and hours and is impossible to cleanse from the palate.
I have concerns about Aspartame, but have continued using it for now.
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
"K.Mrache wrote:
"About concussions and dementia: My father fell off a ladder, hit his head on a brick and 1 month later, Kaiser still refused to do a Cat Scan, even after he was having stroke symptoms. A doctor at a different Kaiser that my sister-in-law worked with, ordered one and they found a large hematoma (pool of thick blood) pressing on his brain. It caused mild brain damage which later developed into depression and dementia. He never became aggressive as many Alzheimer's patients develop, but it was very sad to watch a man who was a genius scientist become so withdrawn and unintelligent.
January 23, 2013 - 6:25 pm"
It probably doesn't apply to your Father, but the Father of a College Classmate was involved in something like that.
He was the very successful Head of Research and Development for a major Aluminum Producer. While he was mowing his lawn, he inadvertently turned down a small grade and the riding mower turned over and caused him some fairly serious injuries.
After he recovered from the injuries, he became extremely morose and depressed and lost interest in his Family, Career and such.
His Son-in-Law didn't think there was anything wrong with him mentally, but that he had been a perfectionist all his life and was so chagrined at making that stupid mistake, that he just lost any desire to do anything except curse himself for his moment of inattention.
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
mchaun wrote:
"{{How much evidence does she need to satisfy you? ... blah, blah, blah".
There's only one point worth addressing in this mishmash and that is the positive identification of Alzheimer's Disease. Tracking beta amyloids through PET scans is new and any diagnostic tool that is that new cannot be said to be 100% accurate. Whether you care to accept it or not, still not a perfect diagnostic marker for AD. But (as I said), "well-trained, experienced physicians can recognize symptons consistent with the disease and in most cases, diagnosis is confirmed at death." This is just an additional tool.
As for the BHO non-sequitur, did you hear his innauguration speech?
mchaun wrote:
"NOT--- inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic, nor intended to provoke readers into an emotional response or otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion, IMHO.
You deserve an Offensive for that provocative smear of some perfectly reasonable comments, ie. a Troll, but I'm gonna let you off this time."
First, there's nothing "Humble" about your opinion. Second, NIH funding to war to (mythical) tax cuts for the rich to Right denying science to fiscal responsibility to anti-Obama to ideologues to wrong side of history makes perfect sense and seems "perfectly reasonble" to you! Why does that not surprise me?!
In fact, that post fits EVERY point of the "troll" definition. Eight, count-'em, eight poorly constructed digs at Republicans. It is specifically posted to provoke an inflammatory and emotional response and I'm betting a board moderator would agree with me, so flag my post, see if I care.
"ecgberht2 wrote:
First, there's nothing "Humble" about your opinion. Second, NIH funding to war to (mythical) tax cuts for the rich to Right denying science to fiscal responsibility to anti-Obama to ideologues to wrong side of history makes perfect sense and seems "perfectly reasonble" to you! Why does that not surprise me?!
In fact, that post fits EVERY point of the "troll" definition. Eight, count-'em, eight poorly constructed digs at Republicans. It is specifically posted to provoke an inflammatory and emotional response and I'm betting a board moderator would agree with me, so flag my post, see if I care.
January 23, 2013 - 9:27 pm"
"Funding went flat for the NIH in 2002 HMMMM what could have happened!!??!!
1) Maybe those trillion dollar wars of choice paid for with tax cuts to the rich.
2) Oh and the rise of the Right denying science
3) and then all of the sudden also concerned with fiscal responsibility when Obama was elected.
4) Quite a group of ideologues.
5) Always on the wrong side of history"
You can neither read nor count. I didn't say the comments made perfect sense and I gave you separate credit for 2) and 3) even though it was only one and still got only 5 total.
Five, count-em, five digs at Republicans, all gently critical, plausible opinions of historical facts.
Surely, you haven't put the whole Republican Party off limits too?
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
I forgot the word "inadequate" in my post above. I meant to say: " A huge delay in finding cures is INADEQUATE government funding of the NIH."
Revised post:
Thank you for the wonderful show. Cures for Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and other diseases are obtainable. A huge delay in finding cures is inadequate government funding of the NIH. Private industry cannot compare to what the government can do, and finding cures for diseases that are killing you and your loved ones is NOT a democratic/republican issue. If terrorists were killing us at the rates these diseases are, we'd be funding a major war to fight them. Unfortunately, government is not fighting these diseases enough, because we are not insisting that they do. Scientists need grants to fund their research and move the science forward. Labs of highly trained, competent scientists are closing down DAILY due to lack of funding. NIH paylines are low, and the cost of science is increasing. We need to fund the scientists so that they can figure out the maze of the brain. While there will be many dead ends (which is why we need so many scientists working on these diseases!), breakthroughs will certainly occur. But first we have to recognize that there is absolutely NO need to be dying of these diseases, and that the quicker we fund the scientists, the quicker the cures will be found. Contact your Congressional Representative today.
"mattshira wrote:
I forgot the word "inadequate" in my post above. I meant to say: " A huge delay in finding cures is INADEQUATE government funding of the NIH."
January 24, 2013 - 12:35 am"
I recently read about some Boston Medical Researchers who voluntarily took a $15,000 pay cut so that no one would be laid off.
Monte Haun mchaun@hotmail.com
mchuan,
You can neither read nor count
1) Withdrawal of funding for NIH
2) Wars of "choice"
3) (Mythical) tax cuts for the rich
4) Right denying science
5) Concern for fiscal responsibility
6) Anti-Obama (concern only came after Obama was elected)
7) Ideologues
8) Wrong side of history
Like I said, Eight, count'em, EIGHT digs at Republicans, most of which have ZERO to do with the topic at hand, and most of which are little more than left-wing rhetoric. This was almost entirely a POLITICAL post on a topic about Alzheimers disease and dimentia. That makes it a troll.
Troll: Someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, with the primary intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
And the sarcastic "HMMMM what could have happened!!??!! " identifies it as such.
When the doctor was asked about statins and Alzheimer's he avoided answering the question directly. My doctor said there are many serious side effects now known about statins including a potential connection to the reduction of cholesterol in the brain and alzheimers. She said she will only put someone on a statin if their numbers are in a serious zone. She said changing diet and using red yeast rice works just as well if not better for most of her patients without side effects. She only prescribes statins in extreme cases.
If there is a genetic component to Alzheimers and if one in three of the "baby boom" generation is going to develop this disease, will that mean many more millions developing the disease due to their children and the genetic component? This was not clearly defined.
This disease came to light beginning with my grandparents generation and is now epidemic in my parent's generation. Possibly there is a connection other than coincidence to Alzheimers and factory farms using insecticides, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones in livestock, development of hydrogenated oils and fructose that was introduced to my grandparents generation. So much toxicity in our lives now with what we eat, breath and use daily. Could this epidemic of Alzheimers be the "perfect storm"?
A good program, if a bit depressing.
A rare instance of Diane employing gallows humor: "You are saying that the only way to avoid Alzheimer's is to die young." Diane, I didn't know you had it in you! :-)
Seriously, though - and I speak only for myself here - if given a choice between living with advanced Alzheimer's and euthanasia, I'll take euthanasia. To me, life is more about the mind than the body, and even if I were lucky enough to be stuck in a perpetual, happy childhood, I do not want to be a burden on the people that I love. None of us can escape death, I do not fear it, and I prefer to go gentle into that good night with dignity.