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Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s Age

Dementia Is Depressing But You Dont Have To Be Depressed

Alzheimers Disease – Early Signs

Dementia isnt a specific disease, but rather a general term to describe any decline in brain function that affects memory, language, and other cognitive abilities, and that is serious enough to interfere with daily life.

Alzheimers disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases.

Getting Lost While Driving

This type of getting lost behavior is especially relevant if the person gets confused or disoriented in a place where theyve driven many timesfor example, if they had to take a slightly different route home from a local store and had trouble getting back to a familiar destination. One study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine in 2017 linked GLB and poor working memory in patients with mild Alzheimers disease, while another published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease found that difficulty using a map was also an early indicator of Alzheimers. Find out the real difference between dementia and Alzheimers.

Diminished Sense Of Smell

You used to be able to smell those fresh-out-of-the-oven chocolate chip cookies immediately, and now you hardly notice them. According to the National Institute on Aging, losing your sense of smell can be a symptom of Alzheimer’s, so it’s crucial to bring it up to your doctor if you notice any changes. Loss of smell and taste is also a symptom of coronavirus. And for more concerning COVID-19 signs, check out 13 Coronavirus Symptoms That Are More Common Than a Sore Throat.

Also Check: What Happens To The Neurons In Alzheimer’s

Duration Of Alzheimers Disease

The brain changes that result in Alzheimers disease may begin a decade or more before the first symptoms appear, as amyloid plaques and tau tangles start to form, neurons die, and other toxic changes in the brain begin to occur.

After diagnosis, a person with Alzheimers will live, on average, from 4 to 8 years, though some survive for as long as 20 years.

Confusion About Location And Time

5 Early Signs of Alzheimer

The person may experience confusion about places or times. They could have difficulty keeping track of seasons, months, or times of day.

They may become confused in an unfamiliar place. As Alzheimers disease progresses, they could feel confused in familiar places or question how they got there. They may also start to wander and get lost.

Read Also: How To Talk To A Parent With Dementia

Withdrawal From Work Or Social Activities

Whats a typical age-related change?

Sometimes feeling uninterested in family or social obligations.

A person living with Alzheimers disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities or other engagements. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite team or activity.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dementia

  • What are the early signs and symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s?Some of the most common early signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s symptoms include trouble remembering recent events, difficulty concentrating, increased mental confusion, changes in behavior or personality, apathy or withdrawal, and depression or anxiety. While these first signs of dementia may seem somewhat unassuming it is important to notice when these symptoms are occurring on a regular basis.
  • Is short-term memory loss a sign of dementia?Changes in memory is a normal sign of aging, but significant memory loss may be a sign of dementia. Additionally, having trouble remembering recently learned information can be an early warning sign of dementia.
  • What is the life expectancy of someone with dementia?Life expectancy depends largely on the patient’s age and health, and can range anywhere from 1 to 26 years, according to one study. Every case is different, and it depends on the type of dementia the patient has. The general life expectancy for an Alzheimer’s patient is 8 to 12 years from the date of diagnosis. Patients diagnosed around the age of 60 tend to decline more slowly than those diagnosed over the age of 80.
  • Can dementia be cured?There is no curative treatment for dementia currently available and no vaccination to prevent it. Medication is available to help relieve symptoms, and certain lifestyle changes may slow the progression of the disease.
  • Read Also: Alzheimer’s Disease In Women

    Why Early Detection Matters

    Seeking an explanation for cognitive decline can be scaryno one wants to hear that they have early symptoms of Alzheimers disease. However, according to the Gerontological Society of America, there are many reasons early detection of Alzheimers is important to a persons overall well-being.

    First, it allows the person with the condition and their loved ones to understand whats causing any observed decline in the persons cognition, mood and behavior. They can then have important conversations with their loved ones about their wishes for their future care, including financial decisions, medical treatments and living arrangements. They can also start to think about how to prevent financial losses and susceptibility to scams due to impaired decision making, avoid accidents and injuries from unsafe use of tools, appliances, firearms and motor vehicles, and prevent instances of wandering and getting lost.

    With early detection, the person with dementia and their loved ones can benefit more from dementia-specific support groups and other forms of counseling, peer mentoring, disease education, socialization, exercise and recreation programs available in their community. Meanwhile, family members have more time to receive training on how to manage difficult caregiving situations in a healthy manner.

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    What Changes Can I Expect

    Early onset dementia
    • The first signs of young-onset dementia can be similar to those of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, although the sequence in which signs appear varies from person to person. Typical signs include:
    • Personality changes, such as abruptness and insensitivity
    • Frequent lapses of memory, particularly involving recent memories
    • Forgetting appointments or the names of colleagues at work
    • Unsettling moments of disorientation in previously familiar places
    • Being unable to find the way home
    • Becoming confused about familiar tasks such as handling money or placing a call
    • Difficulty finding the right words
    • Difficulty with voluntary movements or physical coordination
    • Struggling to learn new things and adapting to changes at home or at work
    • Losing interest in activities that were enjoyed previously
    • Withdrawing from social contact

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    Early Signs Of Dementia

    Its not easy to spot the early signs of dementia in someone we are caring for. If a person is struggling to remember a name, follow a conversation or recall what they did yesterday, many of us may put it down to the fact that the person is getting older. But it may well be a warning that they are in the early stages of dementia.

    Family, friends and care workers are likely to be the first to see the signs and play a key role in encouraging a person receiving care to see a GP.

    Because I was with my wife continuously, I think I was less likely to recognise some of the changes that were taking place than people who saw her less regularly.

    A carer speaking about his wifes early signs of dementia, healthtalk website

    A doctor can help establish whether a person has dementia or a treatable illness or condition that can cause dementia-like symptoms, such as depression, a urinary infection or nutritional disorders.

    Mood And Personality Changes

    Sudden changes in personality and mood swings are possible signs of dementia. Your family member could become fearful, paranoid, suspicious, depressed, or anxious.

    Increased anger could also be a warning sign of dementia. If someone with dementia gets frustrated or overwhelmed, they could react with aggression. A normally calm, peaceful person who has dementia might:

    Read:How to Handle Alzheimers Aggression

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    Early Signs Of Alzheimers Disease According To Experts

    Alzheimers disease can initially present as a single, troublesome symptom or as a collection of more than one, according to Harvard-trained neuroscientist Shaun Patel, Ph.D. He explains that in Alzheimers disease, neuroinflammation develops and spreads throughout the brain, disrupting neural circuits that underpin cognitive abilities. Specific cognitive functions like memory or decision-making are affected earlier in the course of the disease due to their proximity to this propagating neuroinflammation, says Dr. Patel. However, since the brain is a highly interconnected network, we often see multiple aspects of cognition, mood, decision-making and beyond that are affected throughout the stages of the disease.

    There are three early warning signs of Alzheimers disease, according to Ryan Glatt, senior brain health coach and director of FitBrain at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute Foundation in Los Angeles: repeated memory challenges, difficulty performing activities of daily living , and changes in decision making ability.

    Medications To Maintain Mental Function In Alzheimer’s Disease

    Stages of Alzheimer

    Several medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat symptoms of Alzheimers. Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine are used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimers. Donepezil, memantine, the rivastigmine patch, and a combination medication of memantine and donepezil are used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimers symptoms. All of these drugs work by regulating neurotransmitters, the chemicals that transmit messages between neurons. They may help reduce symptoms and help with certain behavioral problems. However, these drugs dont change the underlying disease process. They are effective for some but not all people and may help only for a limited time.

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    Early Signs Of Alzheimers Disease

    If you or a loved one have been experiencing memory loss, this may be one of the early signs of Alzheimers or another form of dementia. Since this disease is progressive in nature, it causes a decline in cognition over time affecting memory, reasoning, thinking skills, behavior, and even mood.

    Although there is no cure at this time, an early diagnosis can help you improve the overall quality of life. There are some possible treatment measures to reduce the severity of certain symptoms and help reduce secondary symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.

    Also, its important to receive an early diagnosis so that you have more time to effectively plan for the future. It is a tough topic of conversation and its normal to feel overwhelmed. With that being said, the sooner a diagnosis is reached, the more support you will receive.

    12 Early Signs of Alzheimers Disease

    Memory loss will be the most common symptom and this will be more than forgetting an appointment or where you put your keys. When you are affected by Alzheimers, there are changes occurring in your brain. At this point, you may notice that you are forgetting information that you recently learned, youre repeatedly asking for the same information over and over, or you may forget the name of your friend.

  • Reduced Ability to Problem Solve and Plan
  • Daily Activities Become More Challenging
  • Difficulty with Places and Time
  • Reduced Visual Perception
  • Language Becomes Frustrating
  • Youre Losing Things
  • Changes in Mood
  • Support For Families And Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers

    Caring for a person with Alzheimers can have significant physical, emotional, and financial costs. The demands of day-to-day care, changes in family roles, and decisions about placement in a care facility can be difficult. NIA supports efforts to evaluate programs, strategies, approaches, and other research to improve the quality of care and life for those living with dementia and their caregivers.

    Becoming well-informed about the disease is one important long-term strategy. Programs that teach families about the various stages of Alzheimers and about ways to deal with difficult behaviors and other caregiving challenges can help.

    Good coping skills, a strong support network, and respite care are other things that may help caregivers handle the stress of caring for a loved one with Alzheimers. For example, staying physically active provides physical and emotional benefits.

    Some caregivers have found that joining a support group is a critical lifeline. These support groups enable caregivers to find respite, express concerns, share experiences, get tips, and receive emotional comfort. Many organizations sponsor in-person and online support groups, including groups for people with early-stage Alzheimers and their families.

    Read about this topic in Spanish. Lea sobre este tema en español.

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    Difficulty Finding The Right Words

    Another early symptom of dementia is difficulty with communicating thoughts. A person with dementia may have a hard time explaining something or finding the right words to express themselves. They may also stop in the middle of a sentence and not know how to continue.

    Having a conversation with a person who has dementia can be challenging, and it may take longer than usual for them to express their thoughts or feelings.

    What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimers

    Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease

    Memory problems are often one of the first signs of Alzheimers. Symptoms vary from person to person, and may include problems with:

    • Word-finding, or having more trouble coming up with words than other people the same age.
    • Vision and spatial issues, like awareness of the space around them.
    • Impaired reasoning or judgment, which can impact decisions.

    Other symptoms may be changes in the persons behavior, including:

    • Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks.
    • Repeating questions.
    • Trouble handling money and paying bills.
    • Wandering and getting lost.
    • Losing things or misplacing them in odd places.
    • Mood and personality changes.
    • Increased anxiety and/or aggression.

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    How Does Alzheimer’s Disease Affect The Brain

    Scientists continue to unravel the complex brain changes involved in Alzheimers disease. Changes in the brain may begin a decade or more before symptoms appear. During this very early stage of Alzheimers, toxic changes are taking place in the brain, including abnormal buildups of proteins that form amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Previously healthy neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die. Many other complex brain changes are thought to play a role in Alzheimers as well.

    The damage initially appears to take place in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex, which are parts of the brain that are essential in forming memories. As more neurons die, additional parts of the brain are affected and begin to shrink. By the final stage of Alzheimers, damage is widespread and brain tissue has shrunk significantly.

    Becoming Totally Uninterested In Everything

    One of the most common changes those with Alzheimer’s go through is no longer being interested in things they used to loveor no longer being interested in anything, for that matter. A 2001 study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society revealed that, while disinterest is a frequent symptom among those with Alzheimer’s, it’s also one of the most under-recognized signs. Researchers at the University of Exeter conducted a study in 2019, and they found that nearly half of all people with dementia experience apathy.

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    Trouble With Speaking And Writing Words

    People with early signs of Alzheimers disease struggle with finding the right words in conversation and on paper, according to the Alzheimers Association. These people may stop mid-conversation to find the right words. They could also struggle with vocabulary or repeat themselves. Make sure you know these 16 everyday habits that can seriously increase your dementia risk.

    Withdrawing From Work And Social Life

    Warning signs of Alzheimerâs disease

    People with early onset Alzheimers, who were once industrious and focused at their challenging jobs, may begin noticing a drop in concentration, motivation or productivity thats out of character for them. They may also find themselves isolating from family, friends, coworkers or hobbies that they used to previously enjoy.

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    Early Signs Of Dementia And How To Spot Them

    Spotting the early signs of Dementia can make all the difference as if it is diagnosed early, there is a chance that medication will slow down the diseases that cause the damage to the brain.

    Weve put together a handy list of the early signs of dementia for you to look out for and some specific symptoms you can monitor.

    Early Signs Of Alzheimers Disease In Young Adults

    Aging is a natural process of human life. As we age, we experience subtle and gradual changes in our bodies and brains however, it is important to understand which changes in your brain are not caused by normal aging. Some of these changes may be early signs of Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia. Here are some of the most common early signs of Alzheimers disease in young adults.

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    Loss Of Daily Life Skills

    A home that may not be as well kept as usual may be a sign that the person living there has dementia. They may lose the ability to do many of the things they normally do themselves, such as preparing meals, household chores and eating and drinking properly.

    They may also struggle to maintain their personal hygiene and getting dressed. Deciding what to wear, how to put things on and in the right order may become increasingly difficult. Getting around the house without walking into furniture and other items may also be a problem.

    What To Do If This Sounds Like You

    Dementia: what are the early warning signs?

    If youre experiencing any of these symptoms, especially in conjunction with memory loss, you should see your doctor. For starters, it may not even be Alzheimers but, instead, another treatable illness. But if it is Alzheimers, early detection is important for a number of reasons: It gives you the ability to get medication that could lessen or slow symptoms of Alzheimers like memory loss and confusion it gives you the option of participating in clinical trials it lets you make lifestyle changes that may benefit cognitive function and it also can help you stay safe and plan for the future. Check out these 50 habits that can reduce your risk of Alzheimers.

    • Reisa Sperling, MD, director of the Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston
    • A4 Study: Welcome to the A4 Study
    • EurekAlert!: “First-of-its-kind Alzheimer’s disease prevention study extended”

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