alzheimer's
- Noun:
- A progressive neurological disorder: Alzheimer's is a specific, progressive form of dementia that leads to the deterioration of memory, thinking, behavior, and social skills, severely affecting a person's ability to function independently.
- A disease of the brain: It is characterized by the build-up of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, which disrupt communication between nerve cells and cause them to die.
- Noun:
- Her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last year.
- Research into the causes of Alzheimer's is ongoing.
- The early signs of Alzheimer's can be subtle and are often mistaken for normal aging.
"Alzheimer's disease": The full medical term, often used interchangeably with "Alzheimer's."
- He is participating in a clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease.
"In the early/late stages of Alzheimer's": Used to describe the progression of the condition.
- Support needs change significantly in the late stages of Alzheimer's.
- Alzheimer's disease (n): The complete term for the medical condition.
- Dementia (n): The general category of symptoms affecting memory and thinking, of which Alzheimer's is the most common cause.
- Presenile dementia (n): An older term for dementia that begins before old age; Alzheimer's is a form of this.
- Senile dementia (in a general, non-specific sense): A broader term for dementia in the elderly.
- Neurodegenerative disease: A category of diseases that includes Alzheimer's.
"To battle/fight Alzheimer's": To actively cope with or seek treatment for the disease.
- The family is committed to fighting Alzheimer's together.
"Alzheimer's care/caregiver": Referring to the support system for someone with the disease.
- She found a support group for Alzheimer's caregivers.
(Note: As a medical condition, Alzheimer's is not typically used in idiomatic expressions. The following phrases describe the experience or impact of the disease.) - "To lose someone to Alzheimer's": To experience the progressive cognitive and personality decline of a loved one with the disease, even while they are physically present. - It's heartbreaking to slowly lose a parent to Alzheimer's.
- a progressive form of presenile dementia that is similar to senile dementia except that it usually starts in the 40s or 50s; first symptoms are impaired memory which is followed by impaired thought and speech and finally complete helplessness