We all fear the dreaded word dementia or Alzheimer's disease. This is understandable, especially considering the fact that two-thirds of all Alzheimer's patients and their caregivers are women. But how do you know if your forgetfulness is something serious? How can you recognize Alzheimer's disease in its early stages? Is it possible?
ContentHow to spot early Alzheimer's: Memory loss affects your daily life Early symptoms of Alzheimer's: You have problems with speech and vision How to spot early Alzheimer's: You can't solve a problem or use common sense Early symptoms of the disease Alzheimer's: you give up social lifeHow to recognize Alzheimer's at an early stage: your mood or character has changed dramaticallyBut remember that Alzheimer's disease is not common in young people
As neurologist David A. Merrill, it's possible. WomanEL will share with you the most common and earliest of her symptoms.
How to spot early Alzheimer's: how memory loss affects your daily life
You’re about to order a latte at your local coffee shop when you realize you can’t remember the barista’s name. But she serves you five days a week. Is that a bad thing? Probably not, says Dr. Henry Paulson. “As we age, our brains change,” he says. “It’s normal for things like the speed of our thinking and the ability to remember names to slow down.”
Memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease is more than just not being able to remember someone's name. “We're talking about forgetting important events or missing entire episodes,” explains Dr. Paulson. For example, “you don't remember spending three days at the beach with your family or attending your grandchild's birthday party last weekend,” he says.
Paulson adds that memory loss—for example, you keep putting your car keys in the refrigerator or not knowing which room to find your toothbrush in—also counts as memory loss, as does not knowing the day of the week or the month.
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: you have problems with speech and vision
Are you having difficulty speaking, writing, or experiencing vision problems? You should see a doctor. Early brain degeneration can make it difficult to communicate and interact with the environment.
“You may notice spatial changes in your vision or even have difficulty perceiving the world around you,” explains Dr. Paulson. “When you speak, you slow down and make up other phrases to explain what you need to say because you can't remember the exact word.”
How to recognize Alzheimer's in the early stages: you can't solve the problem or use common sense
There are a few red flags to watch out for in this category, including difficulty completing tasks, problem-solving, and poor judgment. According to Dr. Paulson, our brains need to process a variety of information to function effectively in our daily lives. The degeneration caused by early-stage Alzheimer’s can turn something as simple as choosing a meal into a difficult decision.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, people in the early stages of the disease may also show other signs of cognitive decline. For example, they may not be able to follow instructions or recipes, make serious financial mistakes, or fail to maintain a healthy hygiene routine.
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Early symptoms of Alzheimer's: You give up your social life
Do you (or maybe your aging mother) used to go out to parties or get-togethers, but now you're staying home more often? Maybe you're experiencing a general decline in energy… Or maybe it's an early sign of Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Paulson says that when brain degeneration makes it difficult to remember commitments, engage in conversations, or fully participate in social activities, many people start to withdraw from these activities. Sometimes this is a symptom of depression (which should also not be ignored). But it's important to seek help if a person's behavior seems out of character.
How to recognize Alzheimer's in the early stages: your mood or character has changed dramatically
Are you or someone you care about starting to act like a complete stranger? You need to take these changes seriously. “It’s a little less common. But we see it early on,” says Dr. Paulson. “It’s like someone who knows what’s right and what’s wrong suddenly becomes reckless and does things they would never do in their normal lives.”
According to the National Institute on Aging, it can also manifest as severe mood swings, mild suspicion of others, increased aggression, or sexual behavior.
But remember, Alzheimer's disease is not common in young people
So if you If you're experiencing mild memory lapses before the age of 60, it's unlikely you're dealing with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Although you should always consult your doctor if you're concerned.
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