TEchnical Writing

As you can see in this photo the Tangles and Plaques (fluffy ball looking objects) get in the way of the neurons communication.

The blue color shows the brain that is first affected in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.

Even though scientists have not been able to figure out why Alzheimer’s exists, they have been able to define what it is that happens when you have Alzheimer’s disease. When you have Alzheimer’s the very important communication that happens between neurotransmitters is disrupted by Tangles and Plaques that are pieces of protein that are supposed to be broken down by other neurons that instead float around and become toxic and eventually kill neurons in the brain. When you have this disease your brain shrinks in size and the parts of your brain that are in charge of planning, thinking, memory, and learning are affected. As neurons in the brain die people experience more symptoms of Alzheimer’s. Scientists have put this showing of symptoms in seven different stages ranging from No Impairment to Very Severe Decline.

Stage one – No Impairment: Alzheimer’s begins in the brain before anyone even recognizes that it happens. These Tangles and Plaques begin to form for 20 or more years before anyone even notices that it is happening. In this time, nerve cell death and tissue loss (shrinking of the brain) are happening over time. Memory and cognitive abilities seem normal.

Stage Two – Very Mild Decline: In this stage, Alzheimer’s is not usually diagnosed. Memory loss is put to growing old as most people at 65 begin to experience some memory loss naturally. A person in stage two may experience losing things around the house but is okay with the everyday tasks of life.

Seven stages of Alzheimer’s

What is Alzheimer’s?

Name, ENC 1102, October 27th 2015

Stages of Alzheimer’s

The blue color shows the brain that is first affected in the mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer’s.

Stage 6 – Severe Decline: From this point on constant supervision is needed for the patient. The patient is almost always confused or unaware of their environments. They often experience a change in personality and behavior, and may only recognize closest friends and family. They also experience loss of bladder and bowel control and can no longer remember details of personal history. This stage usually lasts two and a half years.

Stage 5 – Moderate-Severe Decline: At this stage, patients need assistance with daily life. Patients experience significant confusion and have a hard time remembering simple details about themselves like their phone numbers. They usually can, however, shower and use the restrooms by themselves, and remember family members, friends, and their history Specifically from their youth and childhood. Patients usually remain in this stage for about a year and a half.

Stage 7 – Very Severe Decline: Because Alzheimer’s is a terminating disease; this is the final stage before death. The patient can no longer respond to his or her environment, and speech is extremely limited. In final stages, the patient can no longer remember how to swallow.

Stage 3 - Mild Decline: This stage usually lasts between two-seven years and family, friends or caregivers may begin to notice. If tested If tested doctors would detect impaired memory and cognitive function. The person who has Alzheimer’s may being to struggle planning and organizing even their day, have trouble remembering new people, and even have a hard time finding right words to use when they are having a conversation.

Stage 4 – Moderate Decline: By this stage, symptoms become pretty clear, and it usually last for up to two years. Patients at this stage have trouble with simple math, forget details of their personal history, and have trouble doing things that have a specific order to them like cooking, paying bills, giving directions, etc. They also usually have trouble with short-term memory and have a hard time keeping up with conversations.