Does Your Loved One Have Alzheimer’s? Key Symptoms to Spot

Sharon Moore September 11, 2015

Tweet

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia - a group of mental disorders that refer to serious memory loss and other intellectual abilities that interfere with a person’s life. 60-80 per cent of dementia cases are Alzheimer’s disease. While the biggest known factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease is ageing, it is not a disease caused by old age. This debilitating mental disorder can also occur among people in the age of 40-50.

The disease causes the cells and tissues in the brain to die. This harms memory, speech, and comprehension.

Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease. In its early stage, the person would simply have mild memory issues. But as the disease progresses and worsen over a few years, the patient is likely to suffer from major memory impairment, disabling the person to even respond to his or her environment, and to even perform very basic tasks, like taking a bath.

Spotting Alzheimer’s disease in the earliest time possible is the best way to prevent it from worsening. There is no cure for this disease but treatments that alleviate the symptoms are available. In the first few stages, Alzheimer’s may not be obvious to friends and family. But there are several symptoms that can help identify the presence of the disease. Here they are:

Disruption in short-term memory and speech. During the early stages of Alzheimer’s, short-term memories may become sketchy. For instance, your loved one may forget conversations you just had, or repeat questions that were already answered. This disease also causes disruption in speech so he or she might struggle to remember common words.

Mood swings and changes in behaviour. While memory loss is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, it is not the only symptom. Alzheimer’s may also cause behaviour changes, including mood swings and lapses in judgement. Confusion about events, time and places is also another sign. Your loved one may get lost in familiar places and forget to wash their hair. They may also have troubles speaking, swallowing and walking.

It is hard to face the thought that your loved one could have the disease. Still, it is better to see a doctor sooner than later. The said symptoms may be for a different disease. Many people struggle with memory problems, but it doesn’t mean they have Alzheimer’s. The only way to be sure that it is Alzheimer’s is to consult with a specialist. Early diagnosis and intervention methods for Alzheimer’s are improving dramatically. Getting support can help improve the quality of your loved one.