Med surg 2 exam 1.

Med surg 2 exam 1. EXAM 1 NEURO Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, irreversible, degenerative neurologic disease that begins insidiously and is characterized by gradual losses of cognitive function and disturbances in behavior and affect. It is important to note that AD is not a normal part of aging. Although the greatest risk factor for AD is increasing age, many environmental, dietary, and inflammatory factors also may determine whether a person suffers from this cognitive disease. AD is a complex brain disorder caused by a combination of various factors that may include genetics, neurotransmitter changes, vascular abnormalities, stress hormones, circadian changes, head trauma, and the presence of seizure disorders. AD can be classified into two types: familial or early-onset AD (which is rare, and accounts for less than 10% of cases) and sporadic or late-onset AD. Clinical Manifestations Symptoms are highly variable; some include the following: • In early disease there is forgetfulness and subtle memory loss, although social skills and behavioral patterns remain intact. Forgetfulness is manifested in many daily actions