Alzheimer’s Disease Malpractice

Alzheimers Disease Malpractice
Brien Roche

A Washington Post article of October 1, 2013 stated that approximately five million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Misdiagnosis is common. The disease is frequently confused with dementia.  The symptoms are similar. The treatment is different.

The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is the deposit of protein fragments called beta amyloid in the spaces between the nerve cells.  The diagnosis is typically through an autopsy.  However with increased scan capability, there are PET scans which with the use of radioactive dye show the presence of amyloid plaques.  The FDA has approved this dye.  However Medicare does not cover the scans.  The scans are expensive.    If the scan is negative that does rule out Alzheimer’s.  If the scan is positive as to the presence of the amyloids, that does not  mean that the person has Alzheimer’s.  But it suggests a tendency to develop it.  Therefore the physician must coordinate the results with the clinical findings. Call, or contact us for a free consult.

Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s

There are several signs/symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease:

  • Memory loss disrupting daily life that is more than just sometimes forgetting names or appointments.
  • Changing ability to plan or solve problems that is more significant than occasionally making errors when balancing a checkbook.
  • Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
  • Confusion with time or place.
  • Unable to understand visual images and spatial relationships.
  • New problems with words either in ability to speak or write.
  • Frequency of misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps.
  • Decrease in judgment that is more serious than making that one bad decision once in a while.
  • Withdrawing from work or social activities.
  • Also changing mood and personality.

Alzheimer’s Disease Malpractice-Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is simply a hardening of the arteries which restricts the blood flow. That blood flow restriction means that less oxygen makes its way to the brain. Less oxygen to the brain creates symptoms that mimic those of Alzheimer’s and dementia. If the patient’s condition is simply arteriosclerosis, that may require diet changes or medication. That is entirely different than what a doctor prescribes for Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. For info on medical malpractice see the pages on this site

If there is any evidence of a recent head injury that needs to be factored in. That may cloud any diagnosis of alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Disease Malpractice-Drug Treatments

Also there are several different Alzheimer’s disease drugs.  However they treat the symptoms of cognitive impairment.  They only stave off the decline.

Call, or contact us for a free consult. Obtain more information on diagnoses and personal injury matters on the other pages on this site and for information on Alzheimer’s.  Also see the pages on Wikipedia.

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Brien Roche

Brien A. Roche has been an attorney since 1976. Mr. Roche is admitted to practice in Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. In addition to his busy law practice, Mr. Roche is also a published author of several books & articles relating to the practice of law.

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