Health & Fitness
What Is Alzheimers ?
Alzheimer's (AHLZ-high-merz) is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It is not a normal part of aging.
It is estimated that as many as 5.4 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer's. In 2050, the number of people in the United States with Alzheimer's could reach 11-16 million. Because 70 percent of the people with Alzheimer's live at home, the disease impacts millions of family members, friends and caregivers.
Gets worse over timeAlzheimer's gets worse over time and ultimately is fatal. Although symptoms can vary widely, the first problem many people notice is forgetfulness severe enough to affect their ability to function at home or at work or to enjoy lifelong hobbies. Other symptoms include confusion, getting lost in familiar places, misplacing things, and problems with speaking and writing.