Conditions

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurological disorder characterized by the death of brain cells. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that 5.8 million Americans are living with the disease. 5.6 million are over the age of 65, while approximately 200,000 have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, every 65 seconds an American develops Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells (neurons) to degenerate and die. It is the most common cause of dementia, a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that disrupts a person’s ability to function independently. In fact, it accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases of dementia. Additionally, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Contrary to popular belief, it is not only a disease of old age, as almost 200,000 Americans have early-onset Alzheimer’s.

There are more than 100 varieties of arthritis. The term arthritis literally means “inflammation (swelling) of a joint.” Osteoarthritis (OA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are two of the most common types of arthritis, with OA being more common than RA. Both OA and RA are characterized by inflammation in the joints, with RA having more intense levels of inflammation.