CJD Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease

CJD (Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease) is rare disease that causes progressive damage to the brain. There are various symptoms that occur which show signs of such a disease, for example dementia. Dementia is common in the elderly however to show signs of CJD the dementia would need to be fairly progressive also which would then lead to memory loss in the individual. The disease would also show signs physically as they would start to loose their balance and would find their speech difficult also. As the brain controls everyone’s body obviously having a disease which affects the brain can only be fatal for the patient’s condition. The disease may not be something that will be spotted easily as in some people in may takes years for it to develop however in some cases the disease may affect the individual rapidly in maybe a few months.

There are various types of the disease, which are Sporadic CJD, Inherited CJD also known as Familial CJD, Iatorgenic CJD and Variant CJD. Sporadic CJD is probably the most common type of the disease in an individual as it can occur naturally but someone can also catch the disease from another person but also from animals. It would most likely affect people over the age of 50 and would not take long for the disease to affect the body of the individual as it could be months not years. Inherited CJD is as it says inherited from parents, but is not very common as it passed down through a faulty gene but would most likely show symptoms of CJD at a much younger age. Iatorgenic CJD is possibly even more uncommon as people catch the disease during an operation for example so this may occur at any point of someone’s life. Whereas the final type of CJD can only occur after you have eaten beef and life Inherited CJD is more expected in the younger generation however it has been known for the elderly to suffer also.

To be able to identify if you may have CJD there are a number of investigations that need to be conducted in order to establish a correct diagnosis. As there are various different types some may need genetic testing in order to give a full diagnosis. Once the disease has been confirmed there are again various treatments that you can undergo however there is no cure as of yet. There may be no serious pain suffered by the patient however it can be very uncomfortable as they go through the various symptoms and doctors and nurses can only ease the discomfort and for family and friends will be very difficult to watch as their is nothing that can really be done to help the progressive disease. There have been many organisations set up like other critical illness to give support to those who suffer but also their family as it would be a very difficult time and would need all the help and support they could get.