Early Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
In honor of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month we want to spread the word and educate about the cause. Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are warning signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, don't ignore them. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
Although there is no cure, it’s important to be aware of the initial signs of Alzheimer’s. Early detection allows patients and their families to get the most benefit out of available therapies. It also gives them a chance to take an active role in their healthcare plans before the disease has progressed too far.
Individuals could experience one or more of these early warning signs:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life – During early stages, people may forget recently learned information and important events. They may ask for the same information repeatedly during the same conversation.
Issues solving routine challenges – People may have problems concentrating on tasks, and solving routine challenges might take a much longer time. They may not be able to execute a plan of action or work with numbers.
Losing track of time – Alzheimer’s patients have issues tracking the passage of time. They may confuse dates, seasons, and even location.
Difficulties with vision and spatial understanding – Visual problems can be a warning sign for dementia. Alzheimer’s patients lose the ability to drive early on.
Inability to retrace their steps – People misplace things all the time, but someone with Alzheimer’s lacks the ability to retrace the steps they took. This can cause instances of confusion which lead to fear and even irrational anger at others.
Withdrawal from social interactions or hobbies – Alzheimer’s patients may start to avoid social interactions, hobbies, and work due to the complications or confusion they have experienced.
Please remember that misplacing items or forgetting certain events happen to people all the time. These instances don’t automatically indicate the presence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Get checked. Early detection matters!
If you notice one or more signs in yourself or another person, it can be difficult to know what to do. It’s natural to feel uncertain or nervous about discussing these changes with others. Voicing worries about your own health might make them seem more “real.” Or, you may fear upsetting someone by sharing observations about changes in his or her abilities or behavior. However, these are significant health concerns that should be evaluated by a doctor, and it’s important to take action to figure out what’s going on.
