Alzheimer’s Disease

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Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease that usually begins gradually. It causes a person to forget recent events or familiar tasks. How rapidly it advances varies from person to person. Eventually, Alzheimer’s disease causes confusion, personality and behavior changes, and impaired judgment.

Warning Signs
Diagnosis
Alzheimer’s-like Symptoms
Resources


Ten Warning Signs

1. Memory loss.

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks.

3. Problems with language.

4. Disorientation to time and place.

5. Poor or decreased judgment.

6. Problems with abstract thinking.

7. Misplacing things.

8. Changes in mood or behavior.

9. Changes in personality.

10. Loss of initiative.
    

Symptoms of cognitive impairment

• Forgetting recent events or activities

• Not recognizing familiar people and objects

• Forgetting how to do simple tasks, such as getting to the bathroom

• Problems speaking, understanding, reading, or writing

• Aggressive behavior

• Wandering away
  

How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?

There is no single diagnostic test for Alzheimer’s. A doctor or team of specialists can reliably diagnose the disease with a series of tests. 


What are other causes of Alzheimer-like symptoms?

Some of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease may be symptoms of other disorders like depression, nutritional problems, drug interactions, or other medical issues. Some of these disorders can be treated effectively. Therefore, it is important to seek a diagnosis.



Alzheimer Resources