Alzheimer's Symptoms
From LoveToKnow Seniors
Older adults often worry that mild memory problems are Alzheimer's symptoms. This article will help you recognize the symptoms and distinguish Alzheimer's Disease from other memory problems and normal aging.
Who Gets Alzheimer's Disease
Most Alzheimer's sufferers are over the age of 65. Occasionally, younger adults develop the disease too. It can affect anyone, but having a close family member with the disease increases a person's risk. About four million people in the U.S. have this disease.
Types of Memory Loss
You've just walked into the kitchen and you have no idea what you were looking for. Your friend's phone number has dropped right out of your head. Is your cousin's birthday January 21 or 22?
These occasional memory lapses can be annoying, but they're usually harmless. They happen to everyone at some time, and they do seem to increase with age. But on their own, they don't necessarily signal disease.
Other types of memory loss are more serious. People with true memory problems might forget experiences they've just had. They might forget not only why they opened the refrigerator, but what the refrigerator is for. They might have trouble doing simple arithmetic or other tasks that used to be easy. Additionally, they might forget names, places and dates so often that it interferes with everyday interactions.
Early Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. Patients are often quite good at covering up memory lapses. Even if a person is honest about what's happening, the early symptoms resemble many other types of disease. For example, small strokes can create a similar set of problems.
Early Alzheimer's symptoms may include:
- Having trouble remembering names of family members or friends
- Having difficulty with naming familiar objects
- Forgetting recent events
- Having trouble doing simple math, such as making change or balancing a checkbook
Increasing Alzheimer's Symptoms
Later, the disease becomes more pronounced. Memory problems become more obvious and more debilitating. At this stage, Alzheimer's symptoms include:
- Forgetting how to do familiar tasks like combing hair or brushing teeth
- Forgetting how to get home after everyday errands
- Failing to understand conversations
- Having trouble reading and writing
Friends and family members may also notice a personality change, increasingly poor judgment, or the development of paranoia.
Late Symptoms
The late stages of Alzheimer's are troubling for both the patient and his or her caregivers. Alzheimer's patients may become frustrated because they can not remember where they are and can not understand others or make their needs known. They may become agitated, upset, or aggressive, and have a hard time calming down.
In late-stage Alzheimer's, a patient may not recognize loved ones. He or she may not be able to eat, use the toilet, or bathe without help. Alzheimer's sufferers sometimes wander away from home and do not know how to get back. Late-stage sufferers usually need ongoing care, such as adult day care or a live-in facility.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms which may appear in the course of Alzheimer's disease include:
- Sleep disturbances
- Repetitive speech or actions
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
Other Memory Diseases
Alzheimer's is not the only disease that causes memory problems. A doctor can help sort out the reason for a memory or personality change. Changes similar to Alzheimer's symptoms can occur with other medical problems, including:
- Tumors
- Strokes
- Severe depression
- Thyroid disease
- Overmedication or unusual reactions to medication
When to See the Doctor
Check with your doctor if memory problems are interfering with your daily life. Encourage a loved one to see a physician if you've noticed memory loss, personality changes, mood changes, or new and inappropriate behaviors. People with early Alzheimer's may be very successful at covering up symptoms, so if you're worried about your spouse, parent, or other loved one, it's a good idea to accompany them to the appointment. If they're uncomfortable having you in the room, ask if you can talk to the doctor separately. That way, you can tell the doctor what you're seeing.
Occasional forgetfulness, such as misplacing your keys or forgetting why you entered a room, probably doesn't require a visit to the doctor. However, if you're worried, tell your physician. Even if it turns out to be nothing, your doctor can keep a closer eye on your health in the future.
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