An estimated 5.2 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Even though the risk of Alzheimer’s disease goes up with age, it is not considered a normal part of aging or something to be expected for older adults. Alzheimer’s and many types of dementia occur as a result of damage to the brain neurons that affect how they communicate with each other. Over time, the neurons’ death and malfunction impair memory and affect mood, learning, behavior, and physical functions such as swallowing and walking. Here’s an overview of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and causes.
What Happens in The Brain
Small changes in the brain begin long before the signs of memory loss. The brain consists of 100 billion nerve cells. Each of them connects with others to form a network. They help us to think, remember and learn. Alzheimer’s disease prevents parts of the neurons from working properly. Breakdowns start to happen and cause problems. It is not certain where the problem starts. But as the damage spreads, the cells lose their ability to do their jobs and will eventually die. This results in irreversible changes in the brain.
Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease has been diagnosed based on various symptoms. If you or your loved one are aging, you have to look out for these symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. These include the following:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
This involves things such as forgetting important dates and events, asking for the same information repeatedly, and relying on notes to remember things. Earlier life memories are usually unaffected until later on in the progression of the disease.
- Challenges planning or solving problems
This can include things such as paying the bills, following recipes, and concentrating.
- Problems with completing daily tasks
Such tasks can include driving to a familiar place, remembering the rules of a game, and managing a budget.
- Confusing time or place
People with Alzheimer’s disease might forget where they are and how they even got there.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
They might have problems reading or judging the distance between objects.
- Problems writing or speaking
This includes things like not being able to participate in a conversation well and calling things by the wrong name.
- Misplacing items
If your loved one starts to misplace items and is not able to find them, it could be a sign.
- Changes in judgment
This can refer to actions such as giving away money to unfamiliar organizations or people.
- Changes in mood and personality
They might become more depressed, fearful, anxious, and suspicious.
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