Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects the elderly population. It tends to creep in silently before the severe signs and symptoms start showing. However, early symptoms can be identified if we know what to look for. In this article, we delve into the minute details that could paint a bigger picture of this dreaded disease. Keep reading to get an insight into the subtleties of Alzheimer’s and how to recognize them before it’s too late.
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Recognizing Changes in Memory
One of the most definitive early Alzheimer’s symptoms is a decline in memory that affects daily activities. This is not the typical forgetfulness that we experience as we age or the occasional slips when we forget our keys. This is a more profound and persistent type of memory loss — forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, or asking for the same information repeatedly. These are early signs that something might be amiss.
This kind of memory loss can be quite disheartening for the individual and may lead them to a point where they begin to rely heavily on memory aids such as reminder notes or electronic devices or start depending on family members for things they were once capable of doing on their own. These are not normal signs of aging but could be an indication of early Alzheimer’s symptoms and should not be pushed aside lightly.
There is a fine line between age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s related memory loss. So how can you recognize the difference? One way is to observe whether memory loss is disrupting the person’s ability to function independently. If you notice them struggling with everyday tasks that they could easily handle before, it’s time to get them evaluated by a health professional. You could also take advantage of Alzheimer’s organizations that offer many valuable resources.
Challenges in Planning and Problem-Solving
Another significant sign of early Alzheimer’s symptoms is experiencing difficulties in developing and following a plan or working with numbers. It could be that they find it hard to follow a recipe they have been using for years, maintain their monthly bills, or even keep track of their finances. People might start having trouble concentrating and it takes them way longer than they used to do things, to complete everyday tasks.
The primary issue here is a noticeable decrease in the ability to think logically. For instance, a person that was once known for their strategic proficiency at chess may suddenly start to have trouble planning their next move. Or, someone who was once good at managing their finances might suddenly find it complicated to balance their checkbook.
These changes are not like the normal aging changes where a person might make a mistake in balancing their checkbook once in a while. This condition instead describes a regular or consistent difficulty in managing numbers, which is a major sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
Deterioration of Personal Hygiene
There’s an old saying, “Cleanliness is next to godliness”, but what happens when a previously meticulous person starts neglecting their personal hygiene? Failing personal hygiene may not be the first symptom that comes to your mind when you think about Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s indeed an early warning sign. As Alzheimer’s progresses, remembering to bathe, measure out detergent, or wash their hair could become confusing tasks for patients.
Regularly brushing teeth, trimming nails, or even changing into clean clothes might be forgotten completely. This is because the sequence of the task might be muddled due to cognitive impairments caused by Alzheimer’s. It’s paramount to bear in mind that these symptoms shouldn’t be invalidated as mere laziness or a decrease in motivation. They might be early signs of this neurodegenerative disease and prompt consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended.
Confusion With Time or Place
People suffering from Alzheimer’s often lose a sense of time, dates, and even seasons. They might have trouble understanding something if it isn’t happening right now. This happens because their memory is failing, making it difficult for them to remember where they are or how they got there. This symptom is not to be confused with the occasional disorientation that one might experience. Patients suffering from Alzheimer’s may forget entirely where they are and how they got there, even if it’s a place they’ve visited frequently.
They may also lose track of dates or seasons, disrupting their schedule or routine activities. As the disease progresses, these episodes of confusion can occur more frequently, becoming more severe. As a result, individuals with Alzheimer’s may need to have a family member or caregiver with them at all times to help them navigate their environment and daily tasks.
Changes in Mood and Personality
Personal and emotional changes are a common occurrence in Alzheimer’s. This often involves shifts in mood, from being cheerful to sudden bouts of anger or sadness, without any apparent reason. People with Alzheimer’s can become easily upset, especially in situations where they feel overwhelmed or out of their comfort zone. In addition to mood swings, changes in personality traits can also occur. If a person has normally been outgoing and sociable, they might become withdrawn and prefer solitude.
On the other hand, someone who has always been introverted may become outgoing. Recognizing these alterations can help in the early detection of Alzheimer’s. Note that any changes in mood and personality could have causes other than Alzheimer’s. However, when such changes coincide with other symptoms, it could be indicative of the disease. Understanding these patterns and seeking professional assistance can be key to managing the progression of Alzheimer’s.
Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
While everyone misplaces things from time to time, someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease often places items in unusual spots. They might leave their glasses in the freezer or their keys in the sugar bowl and then forget where they put them. This isn’t just a case of simple forgetfulness; it is a sign that their memory and cognitive abilities are deteriorating. A key distinction lies in their ability to retrace their steps.
While most people might eventually remember where they’ve left something after some pondering, those with Alzheimer’s do not have this ability. An individual with Alzheimer’s might not remember putting the item there in the first place, let alone retrieving it. Furthermore, they might even accuse others of stealing, particularly as the disease progresses. Finding belongings in odd places on a nearly daily basis is a strong signal that something is wrong. If you see yourself or a loved one frequently struggling with these issues, it’s crucial to seek an evaluation from a healthcare professional.
Struggling With Familiar Tasks
One of the telltale early signs of Alzheimer’s is having trouble completing familiar tasks at home or at work. This could range from forgetting how to operate a microwave to not remembering the rules of a favorite game. People with Alzheimer’s could also have trouble driving to a familiar location or managing a budget at work. These early Alzheimer’s symptoms exist because the disease is beginning to affect the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory. You always need to be vigilant, particularly when dementia cases are expected to nearly triple by 2050.
Over time, even the most familiar and simplest tasks become increasingly challenging and will continue to worsen as the disease progresses. Rapidly declining ability to understand and carry out common tasks indicates a problem that could be Alzheimer’s. Plus, a critical point is that this disruption extends beyond forgetting a step in a process; it eventually moves towards being unable to perform the process altogether, signaling that immediate medical attention is required.
As this article demonstrates, understanding these signs is imperative to catch Alzheimer’s in the early stages, allowing for a more effective treatment plan. Regular consultation with healthcare professionals, combined with a deliberate watchfulness of these symptoms can pave the way for early detection and better management of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s about paying extra attention to subtle changes that could seem insubstantial at first but, when connected as a whole, construct the bigger picture of an advancing condition like Alzheimer’s.
