Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia is a group of age-related degenerative diseases where a person may experience a gradual and steady decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. As one ages, it is common to be forgetful. But if the loss of memory happens often and interferes with the ability to follow daily activities, it could be a sign of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and can be fatal if not managed in time.
Difference between Alzheimer’s and age-related changes
While forgetting where you placed your keys is a sign of old age, forgetting who you are can be a sign of Alzheimer’s. While you may forget to pay a periodical bill like gas or electricity as you age, the inability to fix budgets that you have been doing for years can be a sign of Alzheimer’s. It is common as you grow old to forget newly learned words or remember the name of a movie you watched recently. But, if you cannot participate in a conversation like earlier because you don’t remember what to say, it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Though Alzheimer’s cannot be reversed, knowing if symptoms are age-related or disease-related can go a long way in managing the symptoms and taking necessary steps to prevent the quick decline of the symptoms.
Early warning signs that help in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease
Doctors have identified ten early warning signs that we may notice in ourselves or our loved ones that could be potential symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. The intensity of the symptom and the frequency of occurrence may vary from one person to another. Hence, if you notice any of the early warning signs listed below, you must consult a doctor for a detailed examination and diagnosis.
Frequent memory loss
If you forget an important date once, it may be normal and happens to people of all ages. But if they forget some information multiple times and have to ask for it more than once, it may be different from age-related memory loss. For example, if they are beginning to depend on others to remember special days and bill payment dates or rely on digital reminders and alerts as they cannot remember things on their own, it could be Alzheimer’s. Declining memory is one of its first symptoms.
Inability to solve simple problems or handle routine tasks
People may notice that they cannot complete a recipe they have been doing well for decades. They may be unable to recognize numbers and calculate the weekly or monthly budget they have been doing consistently. They may also be unable to concentrate on completing tasks or take much longer than usual to complete the task at hand.
Unfamiliarity with familiar tasks
They may find it difficult to go to the local grocery store or handle calls at work, complete presentations, balance a checkbook, or compare bills that they have done for a long time. They may be looking at a grocery list in the aisle of a department store but not sure what to do next. Alzhemier’s patients may not be able to take a regular walk or remember the rules of games they’d normally play with their friends.
Confusion with time or place
Losing track of time is another important and early warning sign for Alzheimer’s. They may find it tough to understand the concept of time, may find it difficult to understand that a day or week has passed, or figure out the correct day and month of that specific day. They may also find it difficult to distinguish between today, tomorrow, and yesterday.
Difficulty in understanding visuals and spatial relationships
Though it is not related to deterioration in vision, some may have problems in reading, identifying colors, driving, and judging distances. This can frequently confuse them when they are driving. Since they cannot judge distance, they may miss a step on the stairs, trip over things, and find it difficult to pick or drop objects.
Problems with remembering words while reading or writing
They may find it difficult to associate things with their names during a conversation. It could be the identity of a person, place, or thing. They may not remember a familiar person’s name but rather describe them by their dress. They may forget common words like an umbrella, stands, and glass.
Misplacing things and inability to retrieve them
If absentmindedness is related to aging, the affected person may be able to look for the things they have misplaced by retracing their steps and looking for them in possible spots. In the case of Alzheimer’s, they may lose things yet have no clue that they have lost them and may not be able to recall when they used them the last time. Such frequent episodes can be an early warning sign of Alzheimer’s.
Inability to make decisions
The inability to make decisions and take a call on simple matters is one of the behavioral symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s. The affected person may not be able to decide whether to have a bath or to eat, go to bed or not, and may begin to rely on others to decide for them. An unkempt appearance, mismatched clothes, or different shoes and socks on each leg are concerning factors. It may be visible with money matters, too, as they may slowly become unsure of how much to pay and to whom.
Withdrawal and isolation
Decreased interest in activities they used to cherish, like gardening, embroidery, baking, hanging out with senior friends, and playing with grandchildren is possible. They may refuse to meet people and prefer to stay in their rooms as they begin to be confused by people and relationships.
Mood and personality changes
They may be doubtful or scared of loved ones, be uncomfortable in familiar surroundings at home or work, throw tantrums, or create a scene as the whole situation confuses them. Being anxious and depressed because of several changes is an important early warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
