Can You Recognize the Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease?

Let's face it! We're all forgetful from time to time and forgetfulness can become more pronounced as we age. This certainly doesn't mean we're destined to develop Alzheimers Disease. When does normal forgetfulness cross the line and become a symptom of Alzheimers Disease? It's important to remember there's no definite line drawn between what's normal and abnormal in terms of memory changes which can make the diagnosis of Alzheimers difficult.

When Alzheimers Disease initially starts to exert its effect on the brain, there may be no Alzheimers symptoms at all. Gradually, you may start to see the appearance of mild memory lapses such as:

1. Inability to recall familiar names, although they still recognize familiar faces.

2. Inability to locate objects used on a routine basis.

3. Inability to recognize a place visited before.

4. Difficulty in finding the right words to describe something.

5. Repeating particular words, phrases, or stories.

6. Inability to make decisions.

7. Difficulty learning new tasks.

8. Appearing more apathetic and withdrawn.

At this early stage, most Alzheimers sufferers are able to compensate for their symptoms and lead a relatively normal life.

Eventually, more advanced Alzheimers symptoms will start to develop such as:

1. Forgetting addresses or phone numbers.

2. Inability to identify time, day of the week, season of the year, the year etc.

3. Problems with speaking and writing.

4. Withdrawing even more with possible appearance of delusions and hallucinations.

5. Exhibiting strange behaviors such as wandering, repetitive motions, hiding things, inappropriate sexual behavior.

6. Starting to develop occasional urinary or fecal incontinence.

During the very advanced stages of Alzheimers Disease, even more devastating Alzheimers symptoms develop with almost complete destruction of the previous personality. Not only do memory and learning problems become more pronounced, but physical
symptoms become apparent due to loss of brain cells and shrinkage of the existing brain tissue. Sadly, enough, many Alzheimers sufferers progress to the point where they become rigid with the inability to stand or even sit up in bed.. Eventually, speech disappears along with the ability to swallow easily and the patient becomes completely incompetent of bowels and bladder. The Alzheimers patient is now withdrawn and needs constant assistance with activities of daily living and round the clock care.

Over what time frame do Alzheimers symptoms advance? The average length of time from diagnosis to death is around eight years.

It's important to remember that occasional memory lapses happen to us. It's normal for us to occasionally:

1. Forget what we entered a room to get.

2 Have trouble finding the right word to describe something

3. Forget a name or an appointment.

4. Forget the date.

5. Misplace items such as sunglasses, umbrellas, keys, or your pocketbook

6. Find it challenging to perform certain tasks such as writing a difficult letter.

7. Show a lapse in judgment and do something silly.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you are most likely experiencing normal, garden variety forgetfulness. Alzheimers symptoms are different in that they tend to be more pronounced and they progress more rapidly to more serious memory and cognitive related problems.

Stay tuned for a future article on the treatment and prevention of Alzheimers Disease.