Alzheimer's
disease: Know What Signs to Look For
Alzheimer’s disease is a
debilitating disease that evolves in stages. Knowing what signs
to look for can help in being able to recognize the disease at its
onset so that steps can be taken to try to slow the disease progression
down. One of the first things you need to be aware of is your family
history. Alzheimer’s has shown to be very hereditary, so if
you know that someone else in your family has suffered from this
disease it is a good idea to pay attention to the signs.
Some of the first signs to look for are:
- Disorientation – loosing track of
time
- Repetition – people are telling you
that you’re repeating yourself in the same conversation
- Decision making – you have a difficult
time making decisions
- Withdrawing – you’re overwhelmed
by social and/or intellectual challenges so you choose to withdraw
instead of participate
- Planning problems – you are unable
to plan ahead or think in a logical fashion
- Communication problems – difficulty
expressing yourself
- Personality changes – apathy, anger
and anxiety may increase
As the disease progresses the patient will
eventually reach a point where they are unaware of the fact that
they are suffering any sort of memory loss. This is the point where
the disease becomes more difficult for the patient’s loved
ones than it is for them. Depression and Alzheimer’s disease
are linked because it is often the caregivers and loved ones of
the patient that begin to suffer from depression as they watch the
victim begin to careen into the more severe stages where they are
unable to recognize even those closest to them.
Because Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease, and
because of the strong genetic factors involved, it is important
to be on constant look out for the symptoms. There is no cure for
Alzheimer’s disease currently; however, there have been some
promising signs with some of the newer medications. Talk to your
healthcare provider immediately if you feel that you or someone
you know may be showing some of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
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