Alzheimers Symptoms

These 10 Alzheimers symptoms are adapted
from the Alzheimer's website http://www.10signs.org

Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging.

It may be a sign of Alzheimer's disease, a fatal brain disease that gets worse over time and causes changes in thinking, reasoning and behavior. Although the disease is more common in people 65 and older, it can also strike those in their 30s, 40s and 50s.

This list of 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s can help you understand if your memory loss or that of a loved one is a serious health concern. If you notice any of these Alzheimers symptoms in yourself or someone you know, don't ignore them. See your doctor for a check up. There are other conditions, some that are treatable, that could be causing the signs.

10 Warning Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

1 Memory loss.

Forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia. A person begins to forget more often and is unable to recall the information later.

What’s normal? Forgetting names or appointments occasionally.

Comments: "For a long time, we held the assumption that we're born with all the nerve cells we're ever going to have, and that the brain is not capable of generating new ones...that once these cells die we're unable to replace them," said Molly V. Wagster, chief of the Neuropsychology of Aging branch of the National Institute on Aging. "Those assumptions have challenged and put by the wayside." We can improve our memory and other aspects of cognition with programs that enhance brain fitness.

2 Difficulty performing familiar tasks.

One of the common Alzheimers symptoms is the difficulty to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps to prepare a meal, place a telephone call or play a game.
What’s normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what you planned to say.

3 Problems with language.

People with Alzheimer’s disease often forget simple words or substitute unusual words, making their speech or writing hard to understand. They may be unable to find their toothbrush, for example, and instead ask for "that thing for my mouth."

What’s normal? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

4 Disorientation to time and place.

People with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost in their own neighborhoods, forget where they are and how they got there, and not know how to get back home.

What’s normal? Forgetting the day of the week or where you were going.

5 Poor or decreased judgment.

Those with Alzheimer’s may dress inappropriately, wearing several layers on a warm day or little clothing in the cold. They may show poor judgment about money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers.

What’s normal? Making a questionable or debatable decision from time to time.

6 Problems with abstract thinking.

Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have unusual difficulty performing complex mental tasks, like forgetting what numbers are and how they should be used.

What’s normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.

7 Misplacing things.

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places: an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

What’s normal? Misplacing keys or a wallet temporarily.

8 Changes in mood or behavior.

Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show rapid mood swings – from calm to tears to anger – for no apparent reason.

What’s normal? Occasionally feeling sad or moody.

9 Changes in personality.

The personalities of people with Alzheimers symptoms can change dramatically. They may become extremely confused, suspicious, fearful or dependent on a family member.

What’s normal? People’s personalities do change somewhat with age.

10 Loss of initiative.

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may become very passive, sitting in front of the TV for hours, sleeping more than usual or not wanting to do usual activities.

What’s normal? Sometimes feeling weary of work or social obligations. This happens to all of us!

The good news is that many if not all of these Alzheimers symptoms may be reversible. Alzheimers improvement goes hand in hand with exercise. A new study that measured the brains in Alzheimer's patients who exercised regularly showed a remarkable 400% improvement over those who were sedentary.

Other research using scientifically developed brain games is showing significant improvement in memory and brain processing speed.

It's never too late to get our brain working great!

Gene