ClassX Video Lessons Alzheimer’s Disease for Kids | What is Alzheimer’s disease? | Causes, symptoms, and prevention
Alzheimer’s disease is a complicated condition that affects the brain. Scientists and doctors study the brain to understand how it works and to learn more about diseases like Alzheimer’s, which is a type of dementia.
Dementia includes symptoms like memory loss, trouble solving problems, and physical difficulties. You might have heard of Alzheimer’s or know someone who has it. Sadly, it’s the fifth leading cause of death for people over 65, especially women. About one-third of people over 85 have some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Getting older is one reason people might develop Alzheimer’s, but genetics also play a part. Genetics is the study of genes, which are passed down from parents to children and determine traits like hair and eye color. Unfortunately, some genes can increase the risk of health issues, including Alzheimer’s. This doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get the disease if a parent has it, but it does raise the chances.
The disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German neurologist. In 1906, he studied the brain of a woman with memory loss and behavioral issues. He found unusual spots called plaques and tangles, which disrupt the brain’s ability to send messages to the body.
As people age, some tangles in the brain are normal, but researchers are still figuring out if plaques cause Alzheimer’s or if it’s the combination of plaques and tangles. While some memory loss is normal with aging, Alzheimer’s causes consistent memory loss, especially of recent events and new information.
People with Alzheimer’s may ask the same questions repeatedly, forget where the bathroom is, or have trouble with simple tasks. Over time, they might not recognize loved ones or remember where they are. Other symptoms include forgetting how to dress, repeating stories, difficulty learning new things, trouble finding words, making poor decisions, wandering away from home, depression, social withdrawal, personality changes, and an inability to care for daily needs. Not everyone will experience all these symptoms.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s can be confusing and scary for both the person and their loved ones. There’s no cure yet, but medications can help relieve symptoms, much like cold medicine helps with a cold.
If you know someone with Alzheimer’s, you can support them by treating them with kindness and respect. Here are some activities you can do together:
Remember, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s can start small but may worsen over time, so some activities might not be suitable for everyone. Always get permission from an adult when helping.
Learning new things creates connections in our brains, which might help prevent Alzheimer’s as we age. Just like physical exercise strengthens muscles, mental exercise strengthens the brain. Engage your mind by learning new things, solving puzzles, playing word games, or doing math problems. Spending too much time in front of screens isn’t the same as exercising your brain.
People with dementia or Alzheimer’s want to be engaged and interacted with, just like anyone else. This interaction is good for their well-being and can create feelings of love and connection for both you and them.
Thank you for exploring this topic with us. Keep learning and stay curious!
Using clay or playdough, create a model of the human brain. Label the different parts and discuss how Alzheimer’s disease affects each part. This will help you visualize and understand the brain’s structure and the impact of Alzheimer’s.
Gather items that are meaningful to you and place them in a box. Share the stories behind each item with a classmate. This activity will help you understand the importance of memories and how Alzheimer’s can affect them.
Research your own family traits and create a family tree. Identify any traits that have been passed down through generations. Discuss how genetics can influence health conditions like Alzheimer’s.
In pairs, role-play scenarios where one person is experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s and the other is a supportive friend. This will help you develop empathy and understanding for those living with the disease.
Participate in a series of brain exercises, such as puzzles, memory games, or math challenges. Reflect on how these activities can help keep your brain healthy and potentially reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s in the future.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
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Alzheimer’s disease is a complex condition that affects the brain. To understand how it works, scientists and doctors explore, dissect, and study the brain. One of the reasons for this research is to understand diseases that occur within it, including Alzheimer’s disease, which is a form of dementia.
Some symptoms of dementia include memory loss, difficulties with problem-solving, and physical disabilities. You may have heard of Alzheimer’s before or even know someone who has it. Unfortunately, this disease is the fifth leading cause of death for people over age 65, most of whom are women. About one-third of people over the age of 85 have some form of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Old age is one reason people can develop the disease, but genetics also play a role. Genetics is the study of genes, which determine various physical traits, such as hair and eye color. Genes are inherited from our parents, and if your parents have certain traits, you are likely to have them as well. However, it’s not just physical characteristics that are passed down; talents and abilities can also be inherited. Unfortunately, some genes can lead to health issues, including Alzheimer’s disease, which can be passed from parent to child. This does not mean that if a parent or grandparent has Alzheimer’s, you will automatically have it, but it does increase the likelihood.
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain, and the name comes from a German neurologist named Alois Alzheimer. In 1906, Dr. Alzheimer examined the brain of a woman who had memory loss and behavioral problems. He noticed abnormal microscopic spots, which he called plaques and tangles. These plaques and tangles interfere with the brain’s ability to send messages to the rest of the body.
As people age, it is normal for some tangles to form in the brain, but researchers are still investigating whether the plaques cause Alzheimer’s or if the interaction between plaques and tangles contributes to the disease. While some memory loss is normal with aging, one of the key symptoms of Alzheimer’s is consistent memory loss, particularly of recent events and new information. This frequent and worsening memory loss is a noticeable trait of the disease.
Individuals with Alzheimer’s may repeatedly ask the same questions, forget where the bathroom is, or struggle with basic tasks. Over time, they may not recognize loved ones or remember their location. Other symptoms can include forgetting how to dress, repeating stories, difficulty learning new things, trouble finding the right words, making poor decisions, wandering away from home, depression, social withdrawal, personality changes, and an inability to care for daily needs. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and not everyone will experience all of them.
Coping with Alzheimer’s can be confusing and frightening for both the individual and their loved ones. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but many individuals are prescribed medications to help alleviate their symptoms, similar to how medications can relieve cold symptoms.
If you know someone with Alzheimer’s, there are ways you can support them. It’s important to treat them with kindness and respect, as they do not choose to have this condition. Here are some activities you can do with a grandparent, friend, or others who have Alzheimer’s:
– Look at family photographs together.
– Talk about past vacations or experiences from their youth.
– Read the news to them.
– Involve them in small chores around the house.
– Help them bake cookies or prepare a meal and enjoy it together.
– Take a walk and talk with them.
– Play board games, paint, draw, make crafts, or sing together.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s may start off minor but can worsen over time, so some activities may not be suitable for everyone with the disease. Always ensure you have permission from another adult when assisting.
Learning new things creates connections in our brains, which may help prevent Alzheimer’s as we age. Just as physical exercise strengthens our muscles, mental exercise strengthens our brains. You can engage your mind by learning new things, solving puzzles, playing word games, or tackling math problems. Spending excessive time in front of screens is not the same as exercising your brain.
Remember, individuals with dementia or Alzheimer’s want to be engaged and interacted with, just like anyone else. This interaction is beneficial for their well-being and can foster feelings of love and connection for both parties.
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Alzheimer’s – A progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. – Example sentence: Scientists are working hard to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, which affects many elderly people.
Dementia – A group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life. – Example sentence: Dementia can make it difficult for people to remember recent events or recognize familiar faces.
Memory – The ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. – Example sentence: Studying regularly can help improve your memory and make it easier to remember facts for a test.
Genetics – The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. – Example sentence: Genetics can play a role in determining a person’s risk for certain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
Brain – The organ in the head that controls thoughts, memory, feelings, and activity. – Example sentence: The brain is a complex organ that processes information from our senses and controls our movements.
Symptoms – Signs or indications of a condition or disease. – Example sentence: Common symptoms of a cold include a runny nose, sore throat, and coughing.
Plaques – Clumps of protein fragments that build up between nerve cells in the brain, often associated with Alzheimer’s disease. – Example sentence: Researchers study plaques in the brain to understand how they contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
Tangles – Twisted fibers of another protein that build up inside cells, often associated with Alzheimer’s disease. – Example sentence: Tangles in the brain can disrupt communication between nerve cells, leading to memory problems.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury. – Example sentence: Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise are important for maintaining good health.
Exercise – Physical activity that is done to become stronger and healthier. – Example sentence: Regular exercise can improve brain health and reduce the risk of developing dementia.
