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Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning. Alzheimer’s can develop in varying ways for each individual, although there can be common symptoms shared between person to person. These symptoms may include the following in varying degrees:
- In the early stages, the most common symptom is forgetting recently learned information; this would include an increasing need to rely on reminder notes
- As the disease progresses, symptoms can include difficulty in planning, or problem solving such as balancing a checkbook
- Difficulty completing daily tasks, such as driving to a familiar location
- Losing track of the passage of time, such as having difficulty understanding something if it is not happening presently
- Trouble with language, understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- Losing track of a topic of conversation and have no idea how to continue. This confusion could lead to interchanging words such as “watch” with “hand-clock”
- Misplacement or loss of items and be unable to retrace the steps to find them. Sometimes, accusing others for stealing
- Inability to make good judgments or decisions like dealing with money
- Withdrawal from work, family and society as a way to avoid being social
- Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. Irritability can build while at home, at work, with friends or in places outside of the comfort zone
Eventually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately resulting in death. It is still uncertain what causes Alzheimer’s and how the disease progresses. Research shows that Alzheimer’s is associated with the continuous buildup of plaques and fibrous tangles in the brain. Current treatments can only aid with the symptoms of the disease. There are no treatments available that halt or reverse the progression of the disease. Over a thousand current and ongoing clinical trials are being performed to find ways to treat the disease, but it is unknown if any of the tested treatments will be effective.
Reference: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_10_signs_of_alzheimers.asp
