Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that affects the brain and can cause memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with everyday tasks. It is the most common form of dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of the disease. Knowing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s can help you and your doctor determine if you should seek medical attention. In this article, we will discuss the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, as well as what you can do to reduce your risk of developing the disease.
Warning Signs You Have Alzheimer’s, Says Physician
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia, and it is estimated that 5.8 million Americans are living with the disease. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of the disease.
Dr. David Reuben, a geriatrician at UCLA Medical Center, says that there are certain warning signs that may indicate that someone is developing Alzheimer’s. He recommends that people be aware of the following signs:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life. This includes forgetting recently learned information, important dates or events, and repeatedly asking for the same information.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks. This includes difficulty following a recipe, driving to a familiar location, or managing a budget.
- Confusion with time or place. This includes getting lost in familiar places, not knowing what day or season it is, or not understanding how much time has passed.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. This includes difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining color or contrast.
- Problems with speaking or writing. This includes difficulty following or joining a conversation, or having trouble finding the right word.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. This includes putting things in unusual places, accusing others of stealing, and not being able to retrace steps to find something.
- Decreased or poor judgment. This includes making bad decisions, giving away large amounts of money, or not paying attention to personal hygiene.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities. This includes losing interest in hobbies, avoiding social activities, and withdrawing from work.
- Changes in mood and personality. This includes becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious.
If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease has a significant impact on quality of life. It’s important to know about it so one can plan accordingly. It is progressive, meaning it will get worse over time. We still do not have good treatment so having a care plan is critical before you lose decision-making abilities or your loved ones get overwhelmed. Read on to learn about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
One of the first warning signs of Alzheimer’s is an inability to follow directions, particularly with familiar items. For example, messing up on a family recipe. Or forgetting an ingredient for a cake that has been made several times before.
Another warning sign is getting lost on the way home. Or having to use GPS for everything— even in one’s home neighborhood.
This is the time of year when we see people who are good at math make mistakes in their tax prep. That’s often an early sign.
Everyone tends to repeat the same story from time to time, but it’s a warning sign if you often repeat stories you told earlier in the day or the day before.
We don’t know for sure what helps prevent Alzheimer’s. A healthy diet of fish, fruits, and vegetables plays a role. Social connections—real ones—matter in terms of combating loneliness which often causes early dementia. Keeping the mind active — learning a new language or hobby also helps.
If one does notice signs, you should get imaging of the brain. Sometimes it’s a CT scan but more often it’s an MRI. Making lifestyle changes – eating healthy and exercising- may delay progression. There also are numerous clinical trials taking place.
In terms of social connections — get together with friends for coffee. Consider starting a book club — it keeps the mind active and promotes connection. Even weekly religious services plan an important role with connections. We continue to make new brain connections as we get older. So it may take longer to process, but we don’t lose our smarts as we get older! Keep your brain and social connections active.
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It’s not about diets but patterns of eating — substituting meat once or twice a week for fish, smaller portions of foods, more whole grains instead of refined grains, water vs alcohol. Another key piece is looking for foods with antioxidants – fresh fruit, fish , and even coffee —- they help prevent clots.
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Even if you can’t exercise 30 min 5 days a week — start with 10 min 2-3 times. Work up to it. Try power walking for 15 min 3 times a week.
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Remember, since age is a major factor for Alzheimer’s. You still need to focus on heart disease, cancer and other health issues. So a healthy lifestyle will also help prevent those conditions and incorporating some of the key pieces above is a great way for long-term preventative care.