Mad cow disease symptoms need clarification as there are types not related to human consumption of infected beef. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is one type, while vCJD is linked to infected cows. Symptoms include psychiatric changes, dementia, insomnia, and impaired cognitive function. There is currently no cure, but medical professionals can provide support.
The symptoms of mad cow disease need to be clarified because there are types of this disease that are not related to human consumption of infected beef at all. This condition may be called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). When there is perhaps a tenuous link between mad cow disease and humans eating infected cows, the condition is called vCJD or a variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. One reason this distinction is important is because it can slightly change the expression of symptom order, and it should be noted that vCJD is still very rare, in many parts of the world. Those most at risk are those who have had repeated exposures to infected beef, or who have had transplants or taken medications that could include bovine matter.
There are a number of symptoms of mad cow disease as it continues on its fatal path. Early symptoms, especially with vCJD, are often psychiatric in nature. They could include severe mood changes, such as developing anxiety and depression. Those with CJD are usually more likely to develop dementia early on, but this could be one of the later symptoms of true cow disease, or vCJD. vCJD could last in this early state of depression or anxiety (or a swing between the two states) for up to a year before memory loss, lack of concentration, and impaired cognitive function begin to emerge.
Other symptoms of this condition include insomnia for some people, which can fuel depression and anxiety. Muscle coordination deteriorates, and one may particularly notice that vision becomes blurry over time. Unfortunately the disease only gets more severe as it progresses. Mental status worsens, forcing people to require comprehensive care.
Other parts of the body also begin to fail, including the heart. The damage to the brain becomes so significant that it can ultimately do little to sustain the body and coma is likely. The respiratory system usually fails at this point, and death is often due to pneumonia or other lung and bronchial infections. The steady march of these devastating mad cow disease symptoms lasts an average of seven years and are incredibly difficult for the person who loses all function and their family to bear.
There is currently no cure for vCJD or CJD, but there continues to be hope of creating one. At best, medical professionals can help a family find the support they will need to care for someone facing devastating illness and eventually death. Continued research in the area is the best hope of finally finding a treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Anyone who suspects they have symptoms of mad cow disease, whether true vCJD or CJD, should see a doctor, because even if there is no cure, much can be done to promote the patient’s well-being, and there is always hope for one. medical breakthrough that could reverse the disease.
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